Aumentar letra
Reducir letra
Aumentar Espaciado
Disminuir Espaciado
Escala de Grises
Contraste
Fuente Dislexia
Agrandar Cursor
Resaltar Enlaces
Restablecer
Centro de relevo

Calendario Académico

SIMCA

Programa LVMEN

PSI

GOU PAGOS

Home News and Updates

Interinstitutional Doctorate in Environmental Sciences: 15 Years of Academic and Research Commitment

In the heart of South America, an interinstitutional alliance among three public universities blossomed some time ago, giving life to a unique space for training human talent in the field of environmental sciences, a joint effort that has made it possible to address environmental challenges from an integral and multidisciplinary perspective. In this article, you will learn a bit more about its history.

As the result of a collective effort to address environmental challenges in a comprehensive and multidisciplinary manner, the University of Cauca, the University of Valle, and the Technological University of Pereira celebrate today the 15th anniversary of the Doctoral Program in Environmental Sciences, an academic initiative that has established itself as a benchmark in southwestern Colombia. This program offers high-level training focused on the analysis and resolution of environmental problems from an interdisciplinary perspective and through dialogue among diverse forms of knowledge.

“At the University of Cauca, the Doctorate in Environmental Sciences is affiliated with the Department of Biology in the Faculty of Natural, Exact, and Educational Sciences. The program has 30 graduates, has trained 41 scholarship recipients throughout its history, has published 210 international articles in indexed journals, and has edited 5 books in collaboration with the partner universities.

Additionally, it has led more than 6 national and international research projects, which have made it possible to fund students, support their postdoctoral and internship stays, and strengthen the research projects that underpin their dissertations. To date, this program has managed more than 7.6 million dollars from 2011 to 2024,” stated Dr. Apolinar Figueroa Casas, coordinator of the Doctorate in Environmental Sciences at the University of Cauca.

This Doctoral Program stands out, without a doubt, for its holistic approach, integrating ecosystemic, cultural, and sustainability dimensions to interpret and propose solutions to environmental challenges. Students and professors work collaboratively under the principles of complex thinking, exploring the interrelations between society, culture, and the environment to develop sustainable strategies that promote the equitable use of natural resources and ecosystem services.

Yesid Carvajal Escobar, coordinator of the Doctorate in Environmental Sciences at the University of Valle, emphasized that this initiative was a pioneer in Latin America by joining efforts to build a critical mass capable of addressing the environmental issues affecting our region.

With an area of influence that covers strategic zones such as the coffee region, the Andean region, and the Pacific region, this doctoral program has not only made an impact in the academic sphere, but has also influenced industry associations, local governments, and communities. It promotes an ecosystemic and integrative vision among ecological, social, and economic subsystems.

“The program has been highly meaningful and has had a significant impact on the training of professionals who today contribute to various institutions responsible for the conservation and protection of our natural resources,” stated Aceneth Perafán Cabrera, professor at the University of Valle and member of the Coordinating Committee of the Doctorate in Environmental Sciences.

Throughout these 15 years, the Doctorate in Environmental Sciences has established itself as a fundamental pillar in the training of researchers and professionals committed to conservation and sustainable development in Colombia. Its mission continues to be the unification of efforts among diverse actors and regions to ensure environmental sustainability, thus reaffirming the unwavering commitment of the three universities to a more sustainable future.

“We believe that our doctoral program is a unique space in the country for addressing the challenges faced by the southwestern region of Colombia, contributing to public administration and working on projects that impact regional sustainability, shed light on environmental issues, and raise awareness about ecological challenges,” expressed Juan David Céspedes, member of the Coordinating Committee of the Doctorate in Environmental Sciences at the Technological University of Pereira.

For the participating universities (the University of Cauca, the Technological University of Pereira, and the University of Valle), this new anniversary holds a very special significance, as it marks an important milestone that strengthens their ongoing commitment to training leaders equipped to confront environmental challenges with an integral vision supported by a strong scientific and cultural foundation in such a vital region as southwestern Colombia. May there be many more years of preparing doctoral graduates with the highest standards of quality!