La Universidad de Santander (UDES) asume su rol como agente transformador frente a los desafíos globales, integrando el ODS 2: Hambre Cero como un eje estratégico en su quehacer misional. Nuestro compromiso no se limita a la teoría; se materializa en un ecosistema que articula la investigación de vanguardia, la intervención comunitaria directa y la formación de nuevo talento humano.

En la UDES, cada proyecto de investigación, cada intervención comunitaria y cada iniciativa estudiantil son eslabones de una cadena robusta de acciones orientadas a cumplir la meta del Hambre Cero.

The Universidad de Santander (UDES) assumes its role as a transformative agent in the face of global challenges, integrating SDG 2: Zero Hunger as a strategic axis in its mission. Our commitment is not limited to theory; it materializes in an ecosystem that articulates cutting-edge research, direct community intervention, and the training of new human talent.

At UDES, every research project, every community intervention, and every student initiative are links in a robust chain of actions aimed at achieving the Zero Hunger goal.

En la UDES, entendemos que para resolver problemas complejos como la inseguridad alimentaria se requiere conocimiento pertinente. Por ello, hemos priorizado líneas de investigación institucionales que abordan directamente los retos de Salud Planetaria y Seguridad Alimentaria. Este enfoque se refleja en:

Compromiso con la Ciencia Abierta

Fomentamos activamente que los resultados de estas investigaciones se publiquen en revistas de alto impacto, asegurando que el conocimiento generado sirva como un bien público para la sociedad y el medio ambiente.

Impulso a la Innovación

A través de convocatorias internas, promovemos el desarrollo de propuestas de investigación científica, desarrollo tecnológico e innovación. Buscamos soluciones interdisciplinares e intercampus que respondan directamente a los retos de la seguridad alimentaria en nuestros territorios.

UDES uses its social outreach to directly impact communities in vulnerable situations, addressing multiple dimensions of poverty:

1. UDES Interprofessional Model (MIUDES)

• Conducts actions at family, individual, and community levels in neighborhoods such as Los Colorados, in commune 1 of northern Bucaramanga.
• Based on Participatory Action Research methodology, offers interprofessional support to vulnerable populations.
• Demonstrated crucial impact during the COVID-19 health emergency (2020-2021), designing strategies including medical consultation, psychological first aid, prevention pedagogy, and a sponsor plan to strengthen food and hygiene components.
• Working groups address health, sanitation and environment, governance, skills, and technology and communications.
• Students carry out peace-building and social fabric projects in the community.

2. "Maquilando Felicidad" Project (Piedecuesta)

• Led by UDES in collaboration with the Marie Poussepin Foundation in vulnerable communities of Piedecuesta (Barro Blanco sector).
• Direct focus on poverty mitigation through economic empowerment, training 25 young people and women in bakery and chocolate-making to generate income and start businesses.
• Includes Comprehensive Health services (care for children, pregnant mothers, elderly) and workshops on emotional well-being and prevention of gender-based violence.
• Involves programs from Engineering, Medical and Health Sciences, Administrative and Social Sciences.

3. Support for Socially Vulnerable Populations

• UDES students contribute to improving the quality of life of homeless people and their families in Bucaramanga through the Posada del Peregrino Foundation, providing food, clothing, and education for children.
• "El Recolector" project at Hogares Crea (substance abuse rehabilitation) promotes food security and entrepreneurship through home gardens, also functioning as occupational therapy.

La investigación cobra valor cuando impacta la vida de las personas. A través de nuestra Vicerrectoría de Extensión, lideramos proyectos de alto impacto psicosocial.

Ejemplo de ello es la labor articulada con el programa de Instrumentación Quirúrgica, que va más allá de la salud tradicional para abordar la seguridad alimentaria desde sus raíces: construyendo entornos ambientales limpios que mejoran la salud integral de la comunidad y su capacidad para gestionar recursos.

UDES promotes inclusive economic growth and entrepreneurship as key tools to overcome poverty:

1. Popular Economy Diploma Program

• The Udeista Business School offers a diploma in popular economy to strengthen productive units.
• Benefits participants who have signed the peace agreement or have availed themselves of the Justice and Peace Law, including people from Santander and the Magdalena Medio.

2. Business Promotion and SMEs

• Organization of international entrepreneurship fairs ("Yo Emprendo") to strengthen skills and enhance the reach of initiatives.
• Alliances to strengthen the business sector and SMEs, such as the agreement with the Bucaramanga Chamber of Commerce to train shopkeepers.
• VI International Congress of the Faculty of Economic Sciences, focused on business innovation to boost regional SMEs.
• Support for artisans and entrepreneurs through events such as the Artisan Tribute Fair, seeking sustainable economic and social development in the region.

3. Local Government Coordination

• UDES is a member of the Territorial Planning Council (CTP) in Bucaramanga, contributing proposals, goals, and indicators for the Development Plan.
• Strategic alliances with the Government of Santander and the municipalities of Bucaramanga, Piedecuesta, and Girón to align projects in the Municipal and Departmental Development Plan.
• Strategic projects that promote economic development, such as strengthening productive clusters and expanding education.

El compromiso con el ODS 2 permea nuestros claustros. Formamos profesionales conscientes y capaces de liderar el cambio.

Nuestros estudiantes, como los del programa de Enfermería, no esperan a graduarse para generar impacto. Desde fases tempranas de su formación, desarrollan y exponen proyectos como "Nutriendo al Futuro", una estrategia de promoción sobre hábitos alimenticios saludables presentada con éxito en escenarios académicos de talla internacional.

UDES actively works to eliminate exclusion barriers that perpetuate poverty and inequality:

• Social Inclusion: Implementation of the Policy of Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity.
• Disability Care: Awareness events and comprehensive support, such as the Inclusive Horseback Ride with future physical therapists, which reinforces emotional and social support for people with disabilities and their families.
• Applied Research: Project featured at international congress co-designing Universal Communicative Accessibility solutions with people with visual, physical, and hearing disabilities in Valledupar. Research from the Physical Therapy program on barriers to inclusion of students with disabilities won first place at a regional symposium.
• Training Leaders for Peace: Alliance with the University for Peace (UPEACE) to train leaders with a focus on integral human development, peaceful transformation of conflicts, sustainable development, with elements of gender equity and non-discrimination, including themes on the fight against poverty.

Para garantizar que la falta de recursos no sea una barrera, la UDES ofrece diversas facilidades financieras, fundamentales para la movilidad social y la mitigación de la pobreza futura:

• Diversidad de entidades financieras aliadas y portafolios de crédito educativo para impulsar y facilitar el acceso a una educación de calidad.
• Promoción de la inclusión financiera y crediticia y apoyo al emprendimiento local mediante alianzas estratégicas, como la fortalecida con el Fondo Nacional de Garantías (FNG).
• Convenios interinstitucionales con beneficios, como el acuerdo con el SENA para que sus graduados continúen su formación en la UDES con descuentos y homologaciones.
• Descuentos a miembros de entidades aliadas como CORDEINCALS y Campuslands.

To ensure that lack of resources is not a barrier, UDES offers various financial facilities, fundamental for social mobility and the mitigation of future poverty:

• Diversity of allied financial institutions and educational credit portfolios to promote and facilitate access to quality education.
• Promotion of financial and credit inclusion and support for local entrepreneurship through strategic alliances, such as the strengthened one with the National Guarantee Fund (FNG).
• Interinstitutional agreements with benefits, such as the agreement with SENA for its graduates to continue their education at UDES with discounts and course equivalencies.
• Discounts for members of allied entities such as CORDEINCALS and Campuslands.

El compromiso de la UDES con la sostenibilidad y la calidad, aspectos que refuerzan su lucha contra la pobreza al asegurar una formación pertinente, ha sido reconocido internacionalmente:

• Acreditación institucional internacional multicampus otorgada por la Education Quality Accreditation Agency (EQUAA), que evalúa la inclusión social como aspecto clave.
• Destacada en rankings internacionales, incluyendo reconocimientos por su trabajo hacia el logro de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS).
• Seleccionada como socio en el proyecto ACT4SDGS para incorporar los ODS en la enseñanza y los planes de estudio en universidades latinoamericanas, promoviendo la inclusión, la igualdad y la educación de calidad.

UDES's commitment to sustainability and quality, aspects that reinforce its fight against poverty by ensuring relevant education, has been internationally recognized:

• International multicampus institutional accreditation granted by the Education Quality Accreditation Agency (EQUAA), which evaluates social inclusion as a key aspect.
• Featured in international rankings, including recognitions for its work toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Selected as a partner in the ACT4SDGS project to incorporate SDGs in teaching and curricula in Latin American universities, promoting inclusion, equality, and quality education.

1. Extensión Social y Bienestar Básico

El programa MIUDES ofrece apoyo integral a comunidades vulnerables (Los Colorados) mediante Investigación Acción Participativa. Sus acciones incluyen planes padrino para seguridad alimentaria e higiene, consulta médica, primeros auxilios psicológicos y promoción de lactancia materna.

2. Empoderamiento Económico y Capacitación

UDES fortalece unidades productivas y promueve el emprendimiento. Esto incluye el Diplomado de Economía Popular para unidades productivas vulnerables y el proyecto "Maquilando Felicidad" en Piedecuesta, capacitando a jóvenes y mujeres en oficios para generar ingresos sostenibles [136, 459, 464, HC].

3. Inclusión y Acceso a la Educación

UDES implementa su Política de Inclusión, Equidad y Diversidad para eliminar barreras. Fomenta la accesibilidad (ej. Braille) y forma líderes con UPEACE en temas de paz, no discriminación y lucha contra la pobreza, esenciales para el desarrollo humano, sustentable y la movilidad social.

1. Social Outreach and Basic Well-being

The MIUDES program provides comprehensive support to vulnerable communities (Los Colorados) through Participatory Action Research. Its actions include sponsor plans for food and hygiene security, medical consultation, psychological first aid, and breastfeeding promotion.

2. Economic Empowerment and Training

UDES strengthens productive units and promotes entrepreneurship. This includes the Popular Economy Diploma for vulnerable productive units and the "Maquilando Felicidad" project in Piedecuesta, training youth and women in trades to generate sustainable incomes [136, 459, 464, HC].

3. Inclusion and Access to Education

UDES implements its Policy of Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity to remove barriers. It promotes accessibility (e.g., Braille) and trains leaders with UPEACE on peace, non-discrimination, and the fight against poverty—essential for human development, sustainability, and social mobility.