Scientific alliances that contribute to excellence

This participatory forum aims to strengthen and disseminate policies, initiatives, and strategies for promoting physical education. For this reason, the faculty, true to its mission of being an academic community focused on building a center for knowledge dissemination and cultural exchange, decided to become a member of this network.

UCundinamarca News spoke with its dean, Luis Rafael Hutchison, about the scope of this important decision that was communicated to them on May 23.

UCundinamarca News: What is the objective of belonging to this network?

Luis Rafael Hutchison: Belonging to the Colombian Physical Activity Network is very advantageous, as it is a scientific knowledge association focused on physical activity in Colombia. Therefore, this membership will allow us to strengthen and disseminate national initiatives and experiences related to the practice and promotion of this topic. It will also serve as a channel to promote evidence-based strategies, policies, programs, and projects that foster healthy lifestyles.

UCundinamarca News: How will the integration with this network work?

Luis Rafael Hutchison: They are committed to collaborative work with other members of the network in an intersectoral, interinstitutional, and transdisciplinary manner, so that we can continue promoting physical activity. We, as the Faculty of Sports Science and Physical Education, with our undergraduate programs, the CAD (Center for Sports Development), and our seminars, symposia, congresses, and other academic activities, will have their support. Likewise, we will be able to conduct joint research and university-wide community engagement projects.

UCundinamarca News: How does this initiative align with the Transmodern Digital Educational Model?

Luis Rafael Hutchison: It aligns with several perspectives. One is the translocal aspect, since with this alliance, we intend to have an impact on the regions where we have influence. From a transhuman perspective, with this initiative, we are conveying the message that physical activity is health, thus addressing a first pillar of the model, which is life itself. Likewise, from the perspective of translocal research, this membership fits perfectly.

UCundinamarca News: In two or three years, how do you see yourselves in this network?

Luis Rafael Hutchison: We see ourselves as one of the leading programs in Colombia, spearheading the physical activity initiative in various settings alongside REDCOLAF. We aim to promote healthy lifestyles both within and outside our community through research projects, conferences, seminars, and other activities.

UCundinamarca News: How does this membership contribute to the high-quality education process?

Luis Rafael Hutchison: The issue is very specific: in the high-quality process, participation in academic and scientific networks is measured, hence the importance of belonging to this network. However, it's not just that; there are other variables such as academic mobility, categorized research projects, and scientific events that also contribute to this process.

UCundinamarca News: What other network do you belong to?

Luis Rafael Hutchison: We are part of the Colombian Network of Faculties of Sports, Physical Education, and Recreation and the Latin American Association of Sports Management. We are now an Olympic studies center and a member of the Colombian College of Sports Coaches. We are also in the process of becoming a member of the Colombian College of Physical Activity. All of these associations help us to further enhance the standing of our faculty.

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