The University of Cauca, true to its nature as #HeritageForAll, promotes two very important processes that allow us to continue advancing towards a common dream: that young people from Cauca can continue transforming their lives (and those of their families) through education. On one hand, Unicauca has adopted the Transition to Higher Education Program (PTIES) from the Ministry of National Education, aimed at enabling vulnerable populations in the country to access higher education. On the other hand, it has reactivated an agreement with five Higher Normal Schools to allow students to continue their training as teachers.

The University of Cauca, true to its commitment outlined in the third strategic axis of its current Institutional Development Plan titled 'Towards an Excellent and Solidary University,' continues to work towards reducing structural challenges in the region. How? Through the implementation of intervention projects and inter-institutional alliances aimed at generating knowledge and providing access to public university education, taking into account the diverse and challenging realities of the Cauca department. In this region, factors such as poverty and rurality often manifest in outcomes like the ICFES Saber 11 tests, negatively impacting the chances for rural youth to pursue university education.

In line with these efforts and under the framework of 'University in your Territory - Quality Higher Education for Freedom and Dignity,' a strategy of the National Government to ensure vulnerable populations access higher education, the Alma Mater of Cauca adopted the Transition to Higher Education Program (PTIES) from the Ministry of National Education. This program aims to enhance the academic skills and competencies of graduates from basic and secondary education institutions, enabling them to compete for available slots in public institutions.

"These initiatives are crucial as they allow us to create differential admission conditions, focusing actions in these regions so that young people can acquire the necessary competencies in areas such as Critical Reading and Mathematical Logic. This highlights the longstanding work our University has been doing in schools, aiming to facilitate access to higher education through programs like this," emphasized Dr. Aída Patricia González Nieva, Academic Vice-Rector.

From December 11 to 18 of this year, the University of Cauca will conduct the campaign "Everyone to the U!, Route Unicauca to the Pacific," traversing the municipalities of Timbiquí, López de Micay, and Guapi. The mission is clear and challenging: to enroll young people interested in continuing their professional education at the University of Cauca and benefiting from PTIES.

"Since assuming the Rectorate, as a gesture of solidarity at the regional level, we have committed to supporting educational institutions in the Pacific region of Cauca—specifically in Guapi, López de Micay, and Timbiquí. Through the program 'Teach without Stress, Learn with Love,' we aim to increase opportunities for young people, particularly Afro-Colombian youth, to access university placements reserved for them. This is part of our agreements with local governments and is now supported by the University in your Territory Program, which we've been developing in Suárez and Santander de Quilichao," stated Rector Deibar René Hurtado, affirming the university's dedication to expanding opportunities for young people to access higher education.

Additionally, as previously announced with great enthusiasm, the University of Cauca has reactivated its agreement with five Higher Normal Schools located in La Vega, Guapi, Belalcázar, Popayán, and Almaguer. This renewal allows students from these institutions to continue their studies towards degrees in Art Education and Natural Sciences and Environmental Education starting from the first academic period of 2024.

"The reactivation of the agreement with the Normals allows us to integrate into the National Government's University in your Territory Program, enhancing our presence in the Macizo and Pacific regions of Colombia—in Belalcázar, Cauca, and Popayán. This provides opportunities for students entering their first year of the complementary cycle and those advancing to the fifth semester in our two current teaching programs," added Rector Deibar René Hurtado.

With a strong commitment and belief that education is the pathway to a better world, Unicauca is actively pursuing these initiatives to facilitate access to higher education for young people in remote regions. Our mission is to foster social development through the provision of quality, critical, responsible, and creative education—a solidarity that transcends physical campuses and is evident in every space and territory where the University of Cauca impacts on different levels. Whether through projects aligned with national goals or through initiatives autonomously developed by graduates driven by solidarity, we contribute to the dream of a better society.

More details about these two projects that fill us with pride and enhance our sense of belonging to this institution, #HeritageForAll, will be shared soon. We continue to beat with the Unicauca blue and red.

For more information:

Office of the Rector Email: rectoria@unicauca.edu.co