Today, with our hearts full of nostalgia and excitement, we want to share a story that is undeniably part of our own experience as a Caucan society. On March 28, 1991, during a symbolic ceremony held at our Francisco José de Caldas Auditorium, Unicauca Estéreo officially began broadcasting. This date marks the first operational record of our university’s public interest radio station. Since that moment, and without interruption, we have been building a sound legacy that has endured for more than three decades.

The anticipation during our early days was immense, especially since test broadcasts and technical adjustments had been underway since December 12, 1990—we wanted to arrive and stay. Since then, we have been committed to materializing our dream daily: to be a platform that not only broadcasts music and news but also serves as a source of education and connection for our community. Over the years, we have embraced many changes, adopting new technologies and formats, but always keeping our essence intact, knowing that our mission is to strengthen culture and connect the vast knowledge of our university with our listeners.

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We started this journey under the name Radio Universidad del Cauca, a name that reflected our university identity and service vocation. However, just as our name has evolved, so too have our logo, programming schedule, and the way we communicate and report. Classical music, which once dominated our programming, is now one of many musical expressions in a diverse universe where variety is the backbone of our daily life. Each change has been a conscious step toward modernization, while staying true to our roots and our desire to offer diverse, high-quality content that welcomes new generations.

One of the strongest memories for our university community is how the station’s signal could be heard many kilometers away. In 1992, seeking to expand our reach to the Pacific Coast and other southwestern regions of Colombia, the University of Cauca signed an agreement with the Reconstruction Corporation of the Department of Cauca (C.R.C.). Thanks to this, we secured funding to acquire new equipment, including a powerful 10-kilowatt transmitter!

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Installed at Cerro de Munchique, the transmitter was operational by May 12, 1995, under a partnership with Telecom and with broadcasting permission from Inravisión to use their former tower. As you might guess, this was a pivotal year: we expanded to a 24-hour broadcast schedule, with 10 hours of live programming and the rest pre-recorded. Though it was a wonderful era, in 2004, we began updating our technical and legal infrastructure in line with new regulations. As a result, we moved our main transmitter from Munchique to the university farm in the rural area of Popayán, known as La Rejoya, where we continue operating today.

In this unique Unicaucano radio space, we reach a wide audience. Our journalistic segments are an open window to local, regional, national, and international realities. Our academic programs cover essential areas such as health, literature, law, communication, tourism, economy, accounting, sports, cinema, and much more. Each broadcast is crafted to captivate and enrich our audience, blending information and entertainment so that every listener finds something that resonates with them and sparks their curiosity.

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Thus, through hard work and perseverance over these 34 years, we have built a true "sonorous universe of cultures" alongside our listeners. This concept captures not just our musical and content diversity but also the plurality of voices, ages, accents, visions, and expressions that characterize us and set us apart from other stations. Every day, our radio waves bring to life stories worth telling, opinions that deserve to be heard, and cultures seeking their rightful place in history. Thanks to your unwavering support, we have become the most-listened-to university media outlet among opinion leaders in our region for several consecutive years—something we consider not only an honor but also a great responsibility.

We also recognize that today’s media must go beyond informing; we are committed to contributing to the formation of a critical, high-quality, and responsible public opinion. This commitment drives us to strike a balance between serious journalism and vibrant entertainment, proving that serious radio does not have to be boring. Our goal is for every listener who tunes into Unicauca Estéreo to feel connected, informed, and motivated to participate actively in their community.

In pursuit of this connection, since 2013, the University of Cauca has promoted a strategy to strengthen regional interaction. In Santander de Quilichao, a town in the northern Cauca department, the university obtained a public interest radio broadcasting license. On August 25, 2014, Colombia’s Ministry of Information and Communications Technologies (MinTIC) officially approved the installation and operation of a public interest FM station, HJD38, broadcasting at 93.6 FM. Test transmissions began on December 20, 2022.

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With two frequencies but one unified vision, our dream is to become even more deeply integrated into the northern Cauca region, offering a programming schedule that reflects our university spirit, the musical diversity of our region and country, and weaves together knowledge and cultural encounters among the diverse peoples of Cauca.

Throughout these 34 years, we have shared unforgettable moments: launching new programs, hosting special guests, and celebrating major milestones. All of these achievements have been made possible thanks to the active participation of our university community, different faculties, academic programs, and passionate radio collectives and producers who have made this station a true meeting place. We are proud to have been part of so many people's lives—their education, their joys, and their challenges.

Today, as we look back, we fondly remember all who have made this journey possible: our loyal listeners, passionate collaborators, and the entire Unicaucana community that has always supported us. Without you, none of our accomplishments would have been possible. Your trust fuels us, and your support is our greatest treasure.

For all this and more, we raise our voices to celebrate these 34 wonderful years of Unicauca Estéreo and invite you to continue being an active part of our story. Stay with us on this journey through the great sonic universe we’ve created together. Your voice matters—every comment, every suggestion, every listen counts. We hope to continue growing together, exploring new cultures, musical styles, and important topics that enrich our territory.

Thank you for being part of our history, for believing in us, and for sharing the passion for culture, knowledge, and great music. We are here, with the same commitment and enthusiasm that moved us from the very first day. Happy Birthday, Unicauca Estéreo!

 

Written by: Center for Communications Management