In the air floated promises and hundreds of emotions; feelings that can only be experienced when crossing the threshold into a fundamental and unforgettable stage: university life. It was not a sacred ritual, yet it was a special moment, the turning point marking the beginning of a journey traced with shared dreams for the 1,907 freshmen. And so, with a new edition of FestiU, the University of Cauca opened its doors to warmly welcome the 2025-02 generation. More than just a formal event, it was a symbolic embrace for hundreds of young people who, with backpacks full of hopes, are ready to write a new chapter in Popayán and Santander de Quilichao.

As every semester, the much-awaited moment arrived: the start of a shared adventure, one we embark upon together and walk side by side, in most cases, for nearly five years. On Monday, July 28, the University Sports Center (CDU) in Tulcán was filled with new faces. Parents, some stepping into that place for the very first time, carried in their eyes a unique blend of pride and nostalgia. It was the living image of those who entrust the world with their most precious gift, knowing the nest feels a little emptier, but that the flight, one of the most important, is about to begin.

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From the most diverse corners of Cauca, Nariño, Putumayo, Valle del Cauca, and many other regions of the country, parents came to accompany their sons and daughters in this great leap. The Alma Mater of Cauca not only offered words of welcome but also created a space for them to feel part of the community, to recognize that behind every student lies a network of family effort, silent sacrifices, and unconditional love, the true driving force. “It makes me very nostalgic that she is coming here alone, but we must give her unconditional support because this is something very good, where she will build her future,” said María Cristina Parra, her voice tinged with emotion. Her daughter, Maylin López, is beginning her studies in the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences. María Cristina, along with her husband, traveled from Ipiales, Nariño, to be present on this first day, a day symbolizing the realization of a long-held dream. “Even though she is here on her own, I feel happy and reassured because we’ve been warmly welcomed,” she added, leaving part of her heart in Popayán as she returned to Ipiales.

Every story has its own root, its own echo. Like that of José Manuel Muelas Tombé, a graduate of Fine Arts, who traveled from the Guambia Indigenous Reserve in Silvia to accompany his son Ferney Santiago, a first-semester student in Ethnoeducation. “As a father and as a Unicaucano graduate, there is nothing better than accompanying my son with pride, so that he may now plant his own seed in these spaces at the University of Cauca,” he expressed, recalling his own experience. “Now he has been warmly welcomed into the same house where I lived, thanks to the good references I left behind. That gives me great satisfaction,” he added, his eyes shining with emotion.

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For Patricia Torres, mother of Chantel Guengo, an Instrumental Music student, the challenge of seeing her daughter move to another city is immense. Yet pride outweighs it all—it is much stronger. “It’s a great achievement to see how she grows as a person, makes the decision to move to another city, learns to live on her own… it’s a very difficult process. Letting go is hard, but you are always there, supporting them,” she said with a trembling voice, as from the bleachers of the CDU she offered the world a silent prayer: that her daughter may always be well.

In Popayán, throughout the week, the new students had the chance to explore the programs of the Vice-Rector’s Office for Culture and Well-being—spaces designed to unconditionally support them in their adaptation process, reminding them that even far from home, the warmth and support of the university community surrounds them. At the same time, in the Francisco José de Caldas Auditorium, parents found their own space in the “School for Parents,” a meeting to ask questions, express concerns, and receive guidance on how best to accompany their children in this new journey.

Rector Deibar René Hurtado Herrera, joined by vice-rectors and deans, delivered a clear message: the University of Cauca is #HeritageForAll, and by extension, for the families who today trust this institution as the place where their children can transform their lives and make their dreams come true. The welcome extended beyond Popayán as well. On Friday, August 1, the Santander de Quilichao campus hosted its own event, with the presence of university leadership, to greet students and their families with a wide range of cultural, recreational, and integration activities.

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FestiU was, in essence, a rite of passage, a collective act in which parents let go of their children’s hands, not to set them adrift, but to propel them forward into flight. And as soap bubbles floated in the air, inflatable games came to life, and music filled the campus with color, families felt the certainty that this new home would provide the tools to grow, learn, and transform. “I told him to make the most of these spaces, of the diversity of people, because that is what public universities offer,” advised José Manuel to his son. In that phrase lies the very spirit of the Unicaucano community: a place where every step matters, where every story is important, and where the dream of one young person is also the dream of their family, their community, and of this academic home, proud to welcome 1,702 dreamers in Popayán and 205 in Santander.

 

Written by: Communications Management Center