Successful international seminar that reflected on translocality

The seminar "Hope and Projects of Latin America, Social Sciences and Critical Thinking," organized by UCundinarma, concluded successfully.

The University of Cundinamarca, through its Internationalization program and Postgraduate Studies Department, presented the scope of its pedagogical proposal, "Transmodern and Translocal University," to Latin American intellectuals in education, within the framework of the first seminar "Hope and Projects of Latin America, Social Sciences and Critical Thinking," which took place in Bogotá from August 18 to 23.

During this important day, exhibitors from Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, and Colombia presented their theses on the importance of achieving a university with the capacity to transcend the internal space to inclusive learning scenarios.

The rector of the University of Cundinamarca, Adriano Muñoz Barrera, spoke about the need to move beyond the traditional university model and transform it into a multidimensional learning center encompassing training, technological innovation, and social interaction. This pedagogical proposal was very well received by the participants.

“In these types of events where social reality is addressed, it is necessary for the educational debate to transcend reality, to build upon it, and to transform it. That is why these types of proposals are so relevant,” stated Guillermo Londoño Orozco, Dean of the Faculty of Education at Universidad de la Salle.

For their part, representatives from the Institute of Thought and Culture of Latin America (IPECAL) stated in their remarks that it is necessary to break with the old teaching and learning models and to view education differently, as a program for life. “This is where we find common ground with the proposal from the University of Cundinamarca,” emphasized Stela Quintar, director of IPECAL.

The vast majority of the speakers agreed that Latin America is going through a difficult time of automation in university education, which is why it is necessary to create spaces of educational autonomy where the values of the individual are included, and models for teaching, research and linking the university with the outside world are tested.

“The University must be a public space that allows individuals to value experiences. Academia must transform itself, open its doors to spaces of knowledge, learn in a different way and from other cultures,” affirmed Alberto Varela Vásquez, representative of Mexico at IPECAL.

For her part, Aura Esther Álvarez Lara, Director of Postgraduate Studies at the University of Cundinamarca, who was in charge of closing the event, stated: “Meeting with Latin American intellectuals of the caliber of those who attended this first seminar has allowed us to reflect on our pedagogical approach. The challenge has been very interesting and confirms that we are on the right track. The model of transmodernity and translocality definitely transcends the institution and has attracted attention throughout Latin America.”

Sonia Pinto, director of the Internationalization program, confirmed that these types of events promote mirror chairs, which have become a mission plan of the University of Cundinamarca and which we must aim for.

The presenters ended the seminar with an important conclusion: “School is a place of hope.”.

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