A delegation from the University of Cauca, led by Rector Deibar René Hurtado Herrera, embarked on an academic tour of Sweden, Hungary, and Spain, with the aim of strengthening interinstitutional and international relationships. Through these initiatives, the university continues to fulfill its mission of transforming lives and making dreams come true through Higher Education.

Committed to expanding educational and developmental opportunities for its students, a delegation from the University of Cauca completed a successful academic tour in Sweden, Hungary, and Spain. The delegation included Dr. Deibar René Hurtado Herrera, Rector of the University of Cauca; Engineer Juan Carlos Casas Zapata, Dean of the Faculty of Civil Engineering; Jaime Rafael Obando Ante, Director of the CDT Vial Project and Professor in the Department of Geotechnics; Fredy Eduardo López, Professor in the Department of Construction; Luisa Fernanda Hurtado Bedoya, Advisor to the Office of International and Interinstitutional Relations; and Natalia Serna López, a university professional attached to the Rector's Office.

“For the University of Cauca, the internationalization processes of faculty, students, and researchers are of great importance. This academic exchange allows us to strengthen our educational and research processes, as it not only facilitates student and faculty mobility but also fosters cooperation in terms of resources,” stated Dr. Deibar René Hurtado Herrera, Rector of the University of Cauca. He also emphasized, “To ensure that these agreements are not just empty promises, we need responsible individuals to manage these processes. Therefore, the University Administration and the Office of Interinstitutional and International Relations are committed to giving these agreements a human face to make them dynamic.”

Visit to Sweden: Signing of a New Agreement with the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH)

This significant academic tour began in Sweden, where the delegation visited the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), a key partner for our Alma Mater. During the visit, ties were strengthened through the signing of a new cooperation agreement with clear objectives, such as the exchange of pedagogical experiences, participation in academic events, and faculty and student mobility. The visit also included meetings with professors from various disciplines, including chemistry, energy, geospatial information systems, civil engineering, and architecture. The delegation toured KTH’s visualization laboratories as well.

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Additionally, the delegation visited the Colombian Embassy in Sweden to discuss the second phase of the CDT Vial project, financed by the General System of Royalties, in partnership with KTH and the Government of Cauca. This project aims to improve tertiary road infrastructure in 37 municipalities of Cauca through applied research and technology transfer.

The director of the CDT Vial project explained that the University has specific regulations for international mobility. “It is essential to consider the institutional framework that governs these processes. From the Faculty of Civil Engineering and other faculties interested in CDT Vial, we offer support and seek counterparts at the host university to facilitate the exchange. We have established a pathway with KTH’s Office of International Relations, where we initially preselect individuals aligned with the project and interested in traveling, and they subsequently make contact. Everything must be framed within the themes of the CDT Vial project, and we are available to provide any necessary clarifications.”

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Meetings in Hungary: Signing of an Agreement with the University of Dunaújváros

In Hungary, the delegation from our Alma Mater visited ELTE University, the University of Dunaújváros, and a nuclear plant. They met with the Colombian Ambassador to Hungary, Ignacio Ruiz, a graduate of the University of Cauca, to discuss academic mobility through the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship. However, one of the most significant achievements of this visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation and Exchange with the University of Dunaújváros, which will be in effect from 2024 to 2029. This agreement will promote the exchange of faculty, students, and academic materials, as well as the development of joint research projects.