The Industrial University of Santander continues to strengthen its presence in the provinces of the department by welcoming young people from different regions of the country who have chosen the UIS for their professional training. On Thursday, July 31, more than 550 students participated in the orientation sessions held at the Barbosa, Barrancabermeja, Málaga, and Socorro campuses.
At the Socorro campus, 206 students (138 from the basic engineering program, 50 from architecture, and 18 from construction engineering) placed their trust in the UIS. The day began at the Antonia Santos Bicentennial Public Library with a virtual connection between all campuses. Professor Gonzalo Alberto Patiño Benavidez, director of IPRED, and the director of External Relations, Liliana del Pilar Castro Molano, gave a welcome message. Each campus then continued with its local program, which included the presentation of administrative teams and integration spaces. Julio Alfonso Martínez Molina, campus coordinator, welcomed the students, emphasizing that they were not only entering UIS, but one of the three best public universities in the country.
At the Barbosa Campus, 94 engineering students from departments such as Santander, Boyacá, Cundinamarca, Casanare, Magdalena, and Norte de Santander began their university life: “We enthusiastically welcome those who today embark on a path full of learning and opportunities. The UIS is not one, the UIS is all of us,” said Daniel Másmela, campus coordinator. The new students learned about institutional regulations and wellness programs and participated in activities designed to strengthen integration. Families also took part in the day with the “Safe Families” workshop, a guidance space that highlights their role in the educational process.
At the UIS Málaga Campus, the orientation lasted until the afternoon with activities focused on student wellness. Educational psychologist Martha Liliana Toscano gave talks on academic life, while nurse Gisell Natalia Gómez shared recommendations for maintaining healthy habits. More than 100 students participated in these activities, which culminated in a virtual meeting for parents, where the program coordinators were introduced and guidance was provided on how to support their children in this new stage.
Finally, at the Barrancabermeja campus, more than 150 students participated in the virtual institutional welcome ceremony. The event included motivational messages from the directors and administrative team: “This is an important step in your professional life. From today, you are part of a university committed to academic excellence and regional development,” said Andrés Mauricio Montes Tenorio, coordinator of the UIS campus in the Province of Yariguíes.
With these events, the UIS not only welcomes a new generation of students, but also reaffirms its regionalization model as a strategy for social transformation through public higher education.
