From the 'Alma Mater' of the people of Cauca, we are immensely proud of having improved our positions in the 2023 editions of the Scimago and Webometrics rankings, placements that validate the excellent work being undertaken in the generation of knowledge. In the Scimago ranking, we secured the 16th position, rising by 11 spots compared to our 27th position in 2022. Additionally, in the Webometrics ranking, we achieved the 8th position, thereby establishing ourselves as the third-best public higher education institution in the country and the foremost in the southwestern region of Colombia.

Understanding the significance of the University of Cauca's positions in these assessments necessitates acknowledging that each ranking employs its distinct evaluation methodology and focus. Therefore, it is crucial to comprehend how they are constructed and the aspects they assess. The Scimago ranking, for instance, utilizes a methodology founded on bibliometric indicators and data extracted from Scopus, a vital and well-regarded source in the realm of scientific research. These indicators scrutinize the number of published articles, citations received, international collaboration, and the performance of educators and researchers, among other aspects.

As for the Webometrics ranking, also recognized as the Web University Ranking, it is devised by the cybermetrics laboratory of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) to primarily evaluate universities' presence and impact on the web.

Thus, in the Scimago Colombia ranking, we secured the 16th position, ascending 11 places from our 2022 standing at 27th. It is also paramount to highlight that, based on the knowledge area categorization, our 'Alma Mater' ranked fifth overall in Engineering and, among public higher education institutions, secured the third position. Similarly, in Computer Science, it achieved the eighth position overall and stands at the fifth position among public higher education institutions.

Likewise, in the Webometrics Colombia ranking, we attained the eighth position, thereby establishing ourselves as the third-best public higher education institution in the country and the primary one in the southwestern region of Colombia.

Undoubtedly, the improvement in these rankings reflects the commitment and quality of research carried out at our institution, the high academic standards, and excellence in scientific output, in line with the evaluation criteria outlined by the aforementioned rankings in broad strokes.

Regarding this, Carolina Delgado Hurtado, a lecturer and coordinator of the Committee for Support in Scientometric Affairs at the University of Cauca, remarks: 'It is essential to highlight that the university, alongside the excellent performance of its researchers and research groups, has been conducting various activities to normalize information related to these groups and authors. This includes eliminating discrepancies in institutional signatures and ambiguities among its researchers. These efforts have culminated in the results we are pleased to announce at this moment, urging us to further strengthen our processes and inviting researchers and research groups to collaborate to enhance the visibility of all knowledge production, turning it into a vehicle to expand its positive impact in our context, enabling us to persist on the path of being a university that shapes society and contributes to the development of our department.'

In this manner, through the production of knowledge of high academic caliber, we continue to reinforce an Excellent and Supportive University, approaching its bicentenary by emphasizing knowledge generation as a fundamental tool for the region's progress.