In the morning of Tuesday, August 8th of the current year, we had the opportunity to welcome a new generation of Unicauca students. The gathering took place at the Sports Center Coliseum, CDU, and for the first time, it included the presence of students entering their first semester at the North Campus in Santander de Quilichao.

With great excitement and under the radiant sun, the first-semester students from our undergraduate programs were warmly received in their new intellectual home. This initial meeting occurred on Tuesday, August 8th, at the facilities of the Sports Center (CDU) and involved the participation of the University's executives, the Vice Presidency of Culture and Well-being, student representatives, and various groups affiliated with this prestigious institution. Everyone was very thrilled to welcome a new group of individuals daring to dream big and willing to transform their lives through education.

It's important to highlight that, on this occasion, we joyously experienced a first-year welcome event, joined by students from the North Campus in Santander de Quilichao. These students traveled from the north of Cauca to Popayán in the early hours of Tuesday to familiarize themselves with the entire university, of which they are now a part. "I come from the municipality of Corinto, and I enrolled in Civil Engineering because my lifelong dream has been to study a career that I'm passionate about, that I love, in addition to supporting my family," expressed our new student from the North Campus, Carlos Andrés Guetio Chate, with much enthusiasm and a hint of shyness.

Once we gathered the new generation of Unicauca students from both the Popayán Campus and the North Campus, the first to extend a warm and heartfelt welcome was the University's Chancellor, Deibar René Hurtado Herrera. "Take on this life opportunity with responsibility to achieve the transformative processes we are inviting you to experience. There's no more revolutionary act than being a good student, so I invite you to excel, to give your best in everything you do, to make the utmost effort, and never, under any circumstance, miss out on this opportunity."

Following this initial message, the Chancellor introduced his executive team composed of vice-chancellors and deans of each faculty. Furthermore, during this part of the event, the Director of the Regionalization Center, Álvaro René Restrepo Garcés, addressed the freshmen, especially those undertaking their studies at the North Campus, reminding them that many of them represent the first generation of their families entering the University, which entails a significant commitment.

The Vice Presidency of Culture and Well-being, alongside student representatives, offered their greetings and highlighted the support provided from the student representation and, of course, all the spaces related to culture and university welfare. Additionally, each collective affiliated with our institution had the chance to extend their welcome.

The afternoon session was led by the University radio station, Unicauca Estéreo 104.1 FM, which prepared a special segment to showcase the variety of programs offered and the willingness to involve each student in the "Sonorous Universe of Cultures." Thus, the warm afternoon was enlivened with a diverse mix of music accompanied by a special dance presentation, celebrating the new beginning for the students.

From August 8th to 11th, the new students experienced their induction week; a week marking the beginning of one of the most important phases in a young person's life: the start of their journey to become a professional. Thank you for actively participating in all the initiatives promoted by our Vice Presidency of Culture and Well-being, by each faculty, and program, with the firm intention of acquainting students with all the opportunities their educational home offers—a second home that will always accompany them, providing all the knowledge they desire, along with numerous activities and spaces to help them grow both personally and professionally.