The Autonomous University of Manizales (UAM) and the University of Caldas presented the results of the implementation of the pilot programs of the project Ibero4Jobs, an initiative funded by the European Community. This project seeks to strengthen higher education institutions in Latin America by linking them with the business sector, promoting student employability and contributing to the sustainable growth of the regions.
The event was attended by important academic and business partners from both Europe and Latin America. In the old continent, the University of Vigo, the Ronsel Foundation and the Polytechnic Institute of Porto stand out. From Latin America, the Autonomous University of Nayarit and the Technological University of Nayarit from Mexico participated, while in Colombia, the Luker Foundation, the Chamber of Commerce of Manizales por Caldas, as well as the universities of Caldas and Autonomous University of Manizales participated.
What is the Ibero4jobs project?
It is a project that seeks to improve the employability of students from different universities, where they learn to adapt to the labor market by aligning their skills with business requirements.
Likewise, it strengthens the capacities of institutions so that they can develop their own strategies. “connection with the business fabric”
Ibero4Jobs project promotes sustainable development
The opening ceremony was led by the rector of the Autonomous University of Manizales, Carlos Eduardo Jaramillo Sanint, followed by the vice-rector of University Projection of the University of Caldas, Darío Arenas Villegas. Also speaking were Lina María Ramírez, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce of Manizales por Caldas, and Pablo Jaramillo Villegas, manager of the Luker Foundation.
One of the highlights of the event was the conference entitled Essential skills for employability in the 21st century, led by Jorge Alberto García García, economist and master in Applied Economics, who currently leads the area of Economic Studies and Competitiveness of the Chamber of Commerce of Manizales por Caldas.
Later, Juliette Agamez Triana, coordinator of the Center for Virtual Studies and Educational Innovation-Heuristics of the UAM and leader of the implementation of the pilot program in higher education institutions in Latin America, presented the results of the pilot project. UAM-Dual Skills and the Ibero4Jobs methodology.
Likewise, Professor Henry Hernán Castaño García, director of the Technology in Occupational Health and Safety Processes and Technology in Agroindustrial Production program of the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence and Engineering of the University of Caldas, presented the results of the pilot project. Closing Gaps.
Panel of participants
The event of the Ibero4Jobs project The program concluded with a panel of participants in the pilot program, whose purpose was to generate a space for dialogue and reflection on the experiences and lessons learned, with a view to scaling them up in other higher education institutions.
The panel was led by Dr. Bellazmín Arenas Quintana, UAM projection coordinator and project manager of the Ibero4Jobs project at the Autonomous University of Manizales. Among the invited panelists were representatives of the productive, academic and student sectors:
By the University of Caldas:
- Jaime Andrés Gómez Arboleda, Descafecol company.
- César Augusto Álzate, professor of technologies in Logistics and Safety and Health at Work.
- Paola Higuita López, student of the Food Engineering program.
By the Autonomous University of Manizales:
- Samuel Ramírez Saldarriaga, Paris Warehouse company.
- Sandra Basante Bastidas, professor of the Department of Mechanics and Production.
- Valentina González Mora, graduate of the program Industrial Designl.
This event of the Ibero4Jobs project It reaffirms the commitment of universities and the productive sector to strengthen employment opportunities for students, promoting education aligned with the needs of the labor market and contributing to the sustainable development of the region.
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