Translocal forum in Facatativá

By Alejandro García Suárez – Communications Advisory Office

On September 25, 2024, the Facatativá extension held the “Translocal Forum”, an initiative that allowed the university community and citizens to learn about the progress in areas such as investments, training, research and university welfare of the regional unit.

In a dialogue with the UCuncinamarca News Agency, Dr. William Andrés Castañeda Celeita, administrative director of Facatativá, presented a positive assessment of the academic and administrative management of 2023, highlighting the active participation of students, knowledge managers and officials in the achievements obtained during this period.

Among the main academic achievements highlighted was the renewal of the accreditation for the Public Accounting program, guaranteeing its validity for seven years. Additionally, the academic mobility of 32 students and knowledge managers in programs such as Environmental Engineering, Systems Engineering, and Agronomic Engineering was emphasized. These students participated in educational exchanges in countries including Brazil, Argentina, Cuba, and Mexico. These experiences facilitated the translocal exchange of knowledge, strengthening learning from a global perspective.

Regarding environmental management, Castañeda highlighted the work of the Facatativá agro-environmental unit, which successfully restored three hectares of land by planting 800 trees, thus improving the environmental quality of the local ecosystem. This effort positions the University of Cundinamarca as an institution committed to sustainability, emphasizing its focus on environmental protection and the production of natural resources such as water.

In the administrative area, the 2023 budget execution reached 82.31%, exceeding fiscal targets in areas such as agreements, where between 50.1% and 60.1% of the proposed objectives were achieved. Furthermore, the construction and equipping of rooms for knowledge managers was completed, with an investment of 630 million pesos, improving the working conditions of teachers in Facatativá by providing them with suitable spaces for their academic activities.

One of the most significant achievements was securing the stamp tax with the Mayor's Office of Facatativá, approved in 2023, which guarantees an average of 150 million pesos annually for the university. These funds will allow for facility improvements, strengthened research, and expanded student welfare benefits. Also noteworthy was the agreement with the mayor's office for the excellence bonus, which awarded 56 students a minimum wage for their outstanding academic performance.

Thanks to the stamp, three research projects worth 16 million pesos were also funded, providing essential resources for faculty to continue their research. In addition, university welfare programs were expanded, benefiting 284 students with meals and university housing, which has significantly improved their quality of life and helped them remain at the university.

These advances in Facatativá demonstrate the commitment of the University of Cundinamarca to educational quality, sustainability and the well-being of its university community, consolidating it as an institution that not only trains professionals, but also has a positive impact on the social and environmental surroundings.

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