After more than four decades of service, Professor Hugo Portela Guarín concludes his career as a teacher and researcher at the University of Cauca. His legacy is immense: he not only educated generations of students but also decisively contributed to the academic, research, and regional development of this nearly bicentennial institution. Join us in learning the story of this inspiring figure.

Speaking of Professor Hugo Portela is to speak of a man passionate about teaching and knowledge. This anthropologist, Master of Linguistics from the University of Cauca, and Doctor of Anthropology from the University of Montreal, is widely recognized for his work in fields such as the anthropology of health and illness, ethnoecology, ethnobiology, the epistemology of environmental sciences, and systems of innovation and technology transfer. His journey with the University of Cauca began in 1974 as an Anthropology student. Ten years later, in 1984, he returned to his alma mater as a professor after winning a teaching competition in the Department of Anthropology, where he had first set out to fulfill his dream of becoming a professional. Since then, his commitment to academia and to communities has been unwavering.

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He is an enthusiastic researcher, always seeking answers, but also a man deeply sensitive to social needs. He led major research projects, including the most recent one on Biotransfers, and was actively involved in undergraduate and graduate programs across different faculties. He taught in the Nursing and Medicine programs and participated extensively in the doctoral programs in Anthropology and Ethnobiology.

From his humanistic perspective, he spearheaded key initiatives for the democratization of knowledge. One of his most significant achievements was leading the creation of the Regionalization Area at the University of Cauca, ensuring that higher education not only reached but also took root in territories such as Santander de Quilichao. He also promoted the establishment of the Evening Law Program, providing opportunities to those who, due to work or territorial commitments, could not attend classes during traditional hours.

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Clearly, throughout his more than 40 years as a member of the University of Cauca community, he assumed many roles: Dean of the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Coordinator of the Department of Anthropology, and advisor to countless undergraduate and doctoral theses. His approach was always comprehensive, aiming to bridge academia with the realities of the communities and territories.

Thus, during the days leading up to his retirement from active work, Professor Hugo shared a message that deeply reflects the love for his vocation and the legacy he leaves behind. His words, full of meaning, will remain an indelible mark on the University’s history: "I was not only a teacher; I was a perpetual learner. I was not only an administrator; I was a navigator charting routes for others. I was not only a researcher; I was a bridge between academia and society, sharing knowledge with communities, where reflection and action became seeds of change. In every community I worked with, in every voice I listened to, in every challenge we faced together, I discovered that knowledge comes to life when it intertwines with reality and becomes a tool for transformation."

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Likewise, Lucía de Fátima García Vernaza, Professor Hugo's life partner, lovingly shared: "To me, he is a man of integrity. He is very honest, very kind to everyone. He is a very, very fair person who treats people well. I believe he owes a lot to the University, but he also honored that opportunity the University gave him because he gave it everything he had. He kept studying, kept improving himself, and always tried to give his best."

Now, in this new chapter of his life, Hugo Portela continues to write, read, reimagine projects, and cultivate — together with Lucía — their parcel of land, a space where ideas, plants, and affections blossom.

Thus, from the University of Cauca, we pay tribute to a man who dedicated his life to knowledge, respect for communities, and social transformation through education. Thank you, Professor Hugo, for walking alongside us for 41 years and for planting a legacy that will continue to inspire generations. Your light will keep shining!

 

Written by: Communications Management Center