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From classrooms to shared paths: a meeting point that inspires

11 March, 2026

In the journey of education, there are milestones that, although quiet, truly resonate in the mind and heart. One of these moments happens when a ‘pupil’ becomes a colleague, and the story of Professor Manuel Julián Camilo Potes Galarza is a beautiful reflection of this transition, which is, of course, completely natural: the law of life! In his account, he shares with emotion how he reunited in the professional sphere with a former student who now shines as a professional in her field.

Often, the most meaningful moments in academic life go unnoticed, yet they carry profound emotional weight. Such is the case of Professor Manuel Julián, a civil engineer graduated from Unicauca and a Master in Applied Public Management from Tecnológico de Monterrey. Today, as a professor in the Construction Department of the Civil Engineering program in Santander de Quilichao, he has devoted his career to planting seeds of knowledge and passion in new generations.

The story comes to life when, in the midst of his daily work, he encounters a student who has taken control of her own destiny. She, who was once his pupil in the course Construction Legislation, now works as a supervisor in a public institution.

The moment is magical; the roles are reversed, and he submits reports to be reviewed by someone who once sat in his classroom, attending the lessons he delivered as part of her training. This encounter not only symbolizes the lasting impact of committed teaching but also the realization of a shared dream: seeing those who have been guided by your teachings flourish.

“I was pleasantly surprised by her integrity and firmness in supervision. She did not hesitate to call on me when she deemed it necessary, nor to request adjustments in the reports. I felt a mix of emotions, some annoyance, but, above all, I must confess, a deep sense of pride. There she was, applying with ethics and discernment the same rigor we once promoted in the classroom,” recounts the professor with emotion.

For him, this encounter was a powerful confirmation that teaching with responsibility goes beyond technical content: it is about shaping capable, critical, and above all, ethical individuals. “It is truly satisfying to see how the way we deliver our classes can become a small contribution to building a society more committed to the public and the collective,” he added.

This story reminds us that the impact of professors’ work is not always immediately visible; it bears fruit over time, especially in those cases where it seems the student surpasses the teacher. And in that moment, when those once taught return as colleagues, leading with conviction and ethics, it is one of the quietest yet greatest recognitions that anyone dedicating their life to teaching can receive.

Thus, from the University of Cauca, we share this story as a tribute that forms part of our Teacher’s Day celebration, while inviting all professors in our university community to share their experiences, anecdotes, and reflections. We have a variety of spaces and editorial formats where these voices are made visible, there is no doubt that stories that inspire also teach!

Thank you, professors, for being the ones who keep alive the flame of knowledge, truth, and life.

Thank you for leaving, with every class and every word, a mark that transcends the classroom and becomes a light for posterity. This University, #HeritageOfAll, would not be what it is without you.