In the heart of South America, an interinstitutional alliance between three public universities was formed years ago, giving rise to a unique space for the training of human talent in the field of environmental sciences. This joint effort has allowed for addressing environmental challenges from an integral and multidisciplinary perspective. In this article, you'll learn more about its history.

As a result of a collective effort to address environmental challenges in an integral and multidisciplinary way, the Universidad del Cauca, Universidad del Valle, and Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira are now celebrating 15 years of the Doctorate in Environmental Sciences. This academic program has solidified its position as a regional benchmark in southwestern Colombia, offering high-level training focused on analyzing and solving environmental problems from an interdisciplinary perspective and dialogue of knowledge.

“At the Universidad del Cauca, the Doctorate in Environmental Sciences is part of the Department of Biology in the Faculty of Natural, Exact, and Education Sciences. The program has 30 alumni, has trained 41 scholars throughout its history, published 210 international articles in indexed journals, and edited 5 books in collaboration with the other universities.

Additionally, it has led more than 6 national and international research projects, which have financed students, supported their postdoctoral and internship stays, and backed research projects for theses. To date, the 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 Universidad del Cauca.

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

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

With an action area covering strategic zones like the coffee-growing region, the Andean region, and the Pacific zone, this doctorate has not only left its mark on academia but has also impacted industries, local governments, and communities. It promotes an ecosystemic and integrative vision between the ecological, social, and economic subsystems.

“The program has been very significant and has had a high impact on the training of talent that today contributes to the various institutions in charge of conserving and protecting our natural resources,” said Aceneth Perafán Cabrera, professor at Universidad del Valle and member of the Coordination Committee of the Doctorate in Environmental Sciences.

Over these 15 years, the Doctorate in Environmental Sciences has become a fundamental pillar in training researchers and professionals committed to conservation and sustainable development in Colombia. Its mission continues to be to unite efforts from various actors and regions to ensure environmental sustainability, reaffirming the unwavering commitment of the three universities to a more sustainable future.

“We believe that our doctorate is a unique space in the country to address the challenges presented by the southwestern region of Colombia, contributing to public administration and working on projects that impact regional sustainability, highlight problems, and raise awareness about environmental issues,” expressed Juan David Céspedes, member of the Coordination Committee of the Doctorate in Environmental Sciences at the Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira.

For the universities involved (Universidad del Cauca, Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira, and Universidad del Valle), this new anniversary holds great significance as it marks an important milestone that propels their ongoing efforts to train leaders prepared to face environmental challenges with an integral vision supported by a solid scientific and cultural foundation in a region as vital as southwestern Colombia. Here’s to many more years of preparing doctors with the highest standards of quality!

Written by: Communications Management Center