From the classroom to social change

By: Alejandro García Suárez – Advisory Office of Communications

Julián Alberto Sánchez Triana, a 2021 graduate of the Business Administration program, represents an inspiring story of how knowledge can be a tool for social and personal transformation. From his first semesters at the Fusagasugá campus, Julián stood out not only for his academic performance but also for his commitment to community, educational, and cultural causes. “I always identified as a social pioneer,” he says. He participated in human rights advocacy and social transformation projects, which also entailed personal risks.

“The University of Cundinamarca was where I learned the academic tools necessary to acquire that knowledge, and I began to understand that I should be at the service of those who need it,” he says. This social vocation, however, put him in the crosshairs of sectors that oppose change.

The threats he received forced him and his partner to leave the country and seek refuge in the United States. “It was a tough decision, but I love life, I love life with my partner, and we decided to leave. Adapting has been difficult, but we keep moving forward,” he says.

In Illinois, where he currently resides, Julián has found new ways to merge his education with innovation. His undergraduate thesis at UCundinamarca, focused on the therapeutic use of medicinal cannabis, became a seed that has now blossomed: he works in the food industry, developing proposals that combine medicinal cannabis and wellness.

“The University supported me with an ethical, scientific, and social education. That project, supported by the Agronomy and Business Administration programs, was the beginning of everything.” Today, Julián has collaborated with organizations such as the Illinois Zoo and Sony Pictures Entertainment, taking his knowledge to international stages.

“Seeing that my alma mater now recognizes and supports these initiatives is very valuable. What was once controversial is now a legitimate path to healing and transformation,” she concludes.

Julian's story reflects the Transmodern Digital Educational Model – MEDIT, which promotes critical thinking, socially conscious research, and environmental transformation. His journey demonstrates how the institution's comprehensive education extends beyond the classroom, empowering its graduates to lead innovative, ethical processes committed to collective well-being, regardless of their location in the world.

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