With the aim of strengthening higher education in the country, the Universidad del Cauca hosted the Territorial Thematic Table of the Department of Cauca, titled 'We Continue to Advance for a National Agreement on Higher Education.' This event, which brought together various stakeholders involved in higher education in the department, took place on Tuesday, May 21, in the Francisco José de Caldas Auditorium and the Santo Domingo Cloister

In the context of the current National Development Plan, the Ministry of National Education is leading a participatory and inclusive process to build a 'National Agreement on Higher Education' in order to transform the educational system. This participatory process has had various phases that allowed for the identification of five specific challenges within the realm of higher education, which refer to: financing, quality and relevance, governance, faculty dignity, and well-being.

In this context, on Tuesday, May 21, following the opening of this important space for analysis and participatory construction led by Jorge Enrique Barrera, Administrative Vice-Rector of the Universidad del Cauca; Carlos Humberto Salas, representative of the President of the Republic to our Higher Council; Diana Milena Torres, liaison from the Ministry of National Education; and Father Danilo Manziller Díaz Carmona, rector of the Fundación Universitaria de Popayán, all attendees were divided into five groups to work on the aforementioned challenges.

‘This is a historic moment because it allows for the creation of a document with different objective perspectives to ensure education that provides access to those most in need and contributes to the development of our country and the needs of our region. We need to contribute with valid criteria accompanied by solid regulations to ensure financial and legal viability,’ said Administrative Vice-Rector Jorge Enrique Barrera, who also thanked the participation of each Higher Education Institution and the university unions, ASPU and Sintraunicol. For his part, Father Danilo Manziller Díaz Carmona, rector of the Fundación Universitaria de Popayán, stated that ‘By building and reflecting on changing contexts, the challenges must focus on relevance because many factors stem from it. Education must be relevant to the diverse territories of our Colombia.’

Thus, once the working groups were concluded, the various stakeholders presented their findings to address the realities and specific needs of the territories concerning the educational system. From this university, where we firmly believe in the transformative power of our educational work, we reiterate our commitment and willingness to continue being the meeting point for dialogue and consensus to strengthen higher education in the country as a vehicle to realize dreams and lay the foundations for a better future.