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When passion becomes innovation: the story of a student who shone at Colombia 4.0

10 March, 2026

With a full auditorium and the excitement of fulfilling one of his greatest dreams, Ángel Garzón Sarzosa, a student of Industrial Automation Engineering at the University of Cauca, became a leading figure at Colombia 4.0, the country’s most important technology and innovation event, which, in an unprecedented tour, will visit 11 cities across the national territory this year.

Since childhood, Ángel dreamed of transforming reality through technology. “I always knew that I wanted to create a company and leave a positive mark by helping people, animals, and the planet. I don’t want to reach the end of my days without knowing that I gave my very best to achieve something great. Engineering opened the path for me to turn my ideas into action and, over time, my passion focused on robotics and artificial intelligence,” he confesses with great determination, the same determination that led him to choose his degree program at the University of Cauca, also inspired by the example of his cousin Saúl Eduardo Ruiz, a graduate of the same program.

He began his studies in the midst of the pandemic, which limited that unique and unparalleled experience that comes from interacting with classmates who later become friends. However, he found in that difficulty a driving force for growth: “When we returned to classes and I started taking subjects that I was passionate about, I discovered that when you love what you do and have a clear purpose, there are no limits,” he states with conviction, referring to how his effort has borne fruit. He participated in projects, delivered presentations, completed research stays in Spain and, now, in Colombia 4.0, where he led a workshop on the simulation of autonomous robots. The opportunity arose thanks to an invitation from Juan David Hoyos, a young entrepreneur from Popayán who encouraged him to take part, along with the constant support of his mentor, Dr. Óscar Andrés Vivas, who provided him with knowledge and the much-needed motivation to grow in the field of robotics. Thanks to them, and to the path he has built with dedication and passion, Ángel was invited to share his knowledge at the most important technology event in the country.

During his workshop, he took as an example the waiter robots that were present at the University of Cauca during the meeting days (August 27 and 28) and explained in a practical way how technologies such as sensors, 3D mapping, point clouds, computer vision, and autonomous navigation work, in addition to tools such as SLAM and AMCL. The goal was to show how these innovations enable a robot to perceive its environment and reach its destination safely, without supervision and while avoiding collisions, amazing!

And although it may seem paradoxical, what this talented member of the University of Cauca remembers most is not the technology, but the audience’s response, since “They were weeks of intense preparation and even so, the event exceeded my expectations. Seeing the auditorium full, with people even standing, made me feel that all the effort was worth it,” he recalls with emotion. Thus, beyond knowledge, Ángel wanted to convey a clear message: innovation is also possible in Cauca. “It’s not only other countries or world powers that can create new technologies. We have the talent to do it. Today, you don’t need to build a physical prototype to validate an idea; a computer is enough. That shows that from here we can create impactful solutions,” he affirms.

Just days away from receiving his university degree with honors, Ángel has a message for those who dream of changing their lives through a commitment to high-quality public education: “I want to invite young people from Popayán and from across the country to seize every opportunity, to travel, learn, and grow, but also to return and contribute to our society, because Colombia needs our ideas and commitment. If we place our talent at the service of others, we can transform realities.”

With gratitude to his family, friends, partner, and, of course, to The Alma Mater of Cauca, Ángel sums up what Colombia 4.0 meant to him in just a few lines. His presence on this powerful stage was a dream come true, a reminder that with discipline everything is possible. His story becomes an inspiration for other students to dare to believe in their abilities and to pursue their goals with the certainty that from southwestern Colombia and, specifically, from this house that is #HeritageOfAll, lives are undoubtedly transformed, dreams are made reality, and bright futures are created with the talent that inhabits our classrooms and hallways. Congratulations to Ángel on his graduation and for proudly upholding the blue and red of our University!