The goal is to encourage entrepreneurship among Chemistry students at the University of Cauca, so they may see it as both a viable thesis option and a pathway to starting their own business.

As part of the Organic Chemistry III course, seventeen Unicaucan students presented their lab project on the fermentation of alcoholic beverages using agricultural products that are traditionally discarded. The showcase took place in the corridor of the Faculty of Natural, Exact and Education Sciences.

According to Professor Juan Carlos Argoti Burbano, the idea behind the project is to promote entrepreneurship among Chemistry students and help them see it as a valid degree project and a business opportunity.

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“The chemical process itself is covered throughout their coursework,” says Professor Argoti. “What we aim to do is provide guidance so they can form a clearer vision of what they intend to create—using local raw materials or waste products with potential for added value.”

Among these waste products are passion fruits (Passiflora edulis), known locally as gulupas. These are fruits that Valeria Rivera Ramírez’s grandfather cannot export because they don’t meet international market standards. Valeria, a Chemistry student, processes the surplus fruit to produce a spirited beverage.

“I’m really happy,” says Valeria. “We were able to meet the objectives we proposed to our professor, and now we’re here getting feedback from our peers to improve this passion-fruit-based liquor. Given our field of study, graduating through an entrepreneurial project is an option—this might become mine. It’s also research with applications in various agro-industrial fields.”

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Professor Argoti explains that the purpose of this activity is to plant a seed, so that by the eighth semester, students might choose the entrepreneurship route. “My dream is to see the first graduate from the Chemistry Program at the University of Cauca earn their degree through the entrepreneurship modality,” he says.

 

Written by: Communications – Center for Communications Management