Deibar René Hurtado Herrera, Rector of the University of Cauca, has been elected Vice President of the State University System (SUE), an organization that encompasses the 34 public universities in Colombia. This appointment is a recognition of his distinguished career and his commitment to strengthening higher education in the country.

With a vote of confidence, Dr. Jairo Torres Oviedo, recently re-elected as President of the State University System (SUE), appointed Dr. Deibar René Hurtado Herrera as Vice President of the same organization. This significant appointment is a source of pride for the entire Unicaucana community, as Dr. Hurtado will be able to continue advancing higher education from this position with a perspective that integrates the diverse realities of southwestern Colombia.

Dr. Deibar René Hurtado Herrera holds a degree in Physical Education and Health from the Universidad del Valle, a specialization in Sports Sciences from the Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul, a Master’s in Education from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, and a Ph.D. in Social Sciences, Childhood, and Youth from the Center for Advanced Studies in Childhood and Youth (CINDE) and the University of Manizales. His extensive academic and administrative experience includes roles as a representative on the academic council, researcher, and director of the Urdimbre research group, as well as author of numerous publications in education, social sciences, human motor skills, and physical education.

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During his tenure at the Universidad del Cauca, Dr. Deibar René was instrumental in the structuring of the Bachelor's degree in Basic Education with an emphasis on Physical Education, Sports, and Recreation. He also distinguished himself by leading the Department of Physical Education, Recreation, and Sports, the Master's in Education, Body Studies and Motor Skills, and the Ph.D. in Educational Sciences. He has also served as the Vice-Rector of Culture and Well-being and currently presides over the Network of State Universities of Colombia (Rudecolombia) and the Corporation for the Integration and Development of Higher Education in Southwestern Colombia (CIDESCO).

"For us, this election is very important because it recognizes the work being done at the Universidad del Cauca and the leadership that has been exercised in the discussion and collective construction scenarios within the State University System (SUE) and the Council of Rectors. This recognition reinforces Unicauca's commitment to public education and the challenges it faces," said Dr. Hurtado Herrera.

In this sense, it is important to mention that the State University System (SUE) was created by Law 30 of 1992, with the purpose of rationalizing and optimizing the human, physical, technical, and financial resources of the country's public universities. As Vice President of the SUE, Hurtado Herrera will be responsible for promoting initiatives to strengthen public higher education in Colombia, working together with other universities in the system to promote the exchange of faculty, the creation of joint academic programs, and the continuous evaluation of educational institutions.

The rector of the Alma Mater caucana states that, in his new role, he is taking on a significant challenge:

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“The opportunity to be close to the Minister of National Education, José Daniel Rojas, and to have direct communication with him is a significant advantage for the Universidad del Cauca. Additionally, it is fortunate that the President of the University’s Superior Council, Dr. Ricardo Moreno, has been appointed as the Vice Minister of Higher Education. These two developments motivated me to accept the nomination for the Vice Presidency of the SUE, as I believe there are three very concrete objectives that we can achieve in the short term, which will benefit the Universidad del Cauca: supporting the reform of Articles 86-87, achieving the execution of infrastructure projects crucial for expanding coverage, and continuing to pursue the government’s goals in this area.”

Thus, this nearly bicentennial University takes pride in having Rector Deibar René Hurtado Herrera in this important position. His vision and commitment to public education will be crucial for strengthening the policies and strategies of the State University System. We trust that his leadership will not only contribute to the development and quality of higher education in Colombia but also address the specific challenges of different regions, promoting inclusive, relevant, and excellent education throughout the country.

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Communications Management Center