With great joy, we announce that the Congress of the Republic has approved the amendment to Law 1177 of 2007, 'Which authorizes the issuance of the University of Cauca 180 Years Stamp,' which means a significant increase in the resources allocated to the institution. Instead of forty billion pesos ($40,000,000,000), the University of Cauca will receive three hundred billion pesos ($300,000,000,000). This event took place today, Tuesday, February 20, in Bogotá, with the participation of Senators and Representatives, and, of course, with the presence of the rector of the University of Cauca, Dr. Deibar René Hurtado Herrera, and the four Vice-Rector of Unicaucanos.

Driven by the firm conviction to continue providing high-quality public education for the youth of the department of Cauca, Law 1177 was established on December 27, 2007, 'Which authorizes the issuance of the University of Cauca 180 Years Stamp,' allowing for significant funds to be raised for 'investment in physical infrastructure and its maintenance, construction of sports facilities, setup of laboratories and libraries, acquisition of musical instruments and raw materials for the Faculty of Arts, equipping and furnishing the University, purchasing elements and materials for microelectronics, computing, robotics, and biotechnology, communication and information systems, and, in general, all those goods required for the physical plant and full operation of the Alma Mater.' The amount raised was set at up to forty billion pesos ($40,000,000,000), and the Departmental Assembly of Cauca was responsible for issuing the Ordinance that determined the activities, goods, services, transactions, or specific economic activities through which the contribution would be collected, as well as its percentage.

Thus, driven by the dream of continuing to transform the lives of the young people who choose our Alma Mater as their place of study, their families, and their communities, the current administration set out with the major goal of proposing a Bill that would expand the areas in which the raised funds could be used. Additionally, it aimed to increase the raised amount to reach three hundred billion pesos ($300,000,000,000). Therefore, today with great joy, we announce to all Caucanos that this aspiration has become a reality and is a reason for celebration, not only for Unicauca but also for the inhabitants of this corner of the country, especially for those who see higher education as an opportunity to transform their lives and build a better world.

We want to inform our university community and society in general that the Congress of the Republic, in a plenary session, has approved the project for the expansion of the University of Cauca Stamp, a project that will mean three hundred billion pesos ($300,000,000,000) for our institution, as part of the bicentennial strategic and transversal axis. With these resources, we aim to advance the infrastructure projects that the University urgently needs and, at the same time, leverage other strategic areas such as administrative modernization; the axis that allows the University to have greater coverage and regional presence; the axis of solidarity; and the axis of academic excellence. We are very happy and believe that this is news worth sharing and celebrating,” said Rector Deibar René Hurtado Herrera, filled with joy.

He also highlighted that this significant step for education in Southwestern Colombia would not have been possible without the support of so many involved actors. He expressed his deep gratitude to the Senators, Representatives, work teams, and everyone who made this achievement possible, particularly thanking the sponsoring senator, Dr. Carlos Benavídez, who played an important role in realizing this dream.

For her part, Dr. Laura Castellanos, Secretary General of the University of Cauca, expressed with great enthusiasm, “The joy we feel today is a tremendous optimism for all university stakeholders because it will expand the possibility for the University to receive funds up to three hundred billion pesos ($300,000,000,000). I believe this is fantastic because through this, we will continue to grow. This excellent and supportive university will be able to implement all the proposals it made to the university community and will continue to improve not only the physical infrastructure but also student welfare, which will bring satisfaction to every single member of the university community.”

It is important to mention that once this Law is sanctioned by the President of the Republic, the procedures must begin for the Departmental Assembly of Cauca to carry out the Ordinance, which will define the characteristics for the use of the University of Cauca Stamp. Additionally, it is necessary to highlight that the resources from this Law will start arriving in 2025, as contributions will be collected during the year 2024, once the Ordinance is issued, and will be reflected starting the following year.

From this house of thought, a beacon of excellence and solidarity, we share with you this news that transcends the conventional. It is not just an increase in resources; it is a gateway to a universe of possibilities, a bridge to the realization of dreams nurtured within the realm of public higher education, and a great opportunity to continue illuminating the path for future generations. It is the promise of an education of the highest academic level, capable of transforming not only the lives of our young people but also their families and the communities positively impacted by our institution through various mechanisms.

Today, more than ever, we feel the excitement of contributing to shaping bright futures and strengthening the foundations of our region with every success story that emerges from our classrooms. With a heart that beats in unison to the rhythm of our iconic blue and red, we proudly say that Unicauca is #HeritageOfAll and that, for this reason, we continue working together, from many sectors, for the university we aspire to be.

We keep advancing with commitment towards the bicentennial!