As part of the 33rd edition of the Popayán Gastronomic Congress, an event declared Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, the Nutrition and Dietetics program of Fundación Universitaria María Cano, Popayán campus, had a prominent participation in the second edition of the Sustainable Markets, reaffirming its commitment to comprehensive education, food sustainability, and a deep connection with local gastronomic culture.
During this important academic and cultural event, students and faculty from the program actively participated in various dialogue and practical engagement spaces. Notable among them were the panel discussion “Three-Voice Dialogue”, the forum “Sustainable Markets and Their Relationship with Culinary Arts”, and a hands-on learning experience where future nutritionists took center stage.
With the support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), this initiative concluded with a live demonstration of food transformation. Attendees had the opportunity to witness firsthand the creative and technical processes behind the students’ proposals, which successfully integrated nutritional science with the cultural richness of the region.
A Model of Articulation Between Academia, Culture, and Sustainability
This participation strengthens the institutional positioning of Fundación Universitaria María Cano as an entity committed to regional development, sustainability, and academic relevance. By actively involving students in real-world knowledge application settings, the institution promotes an experiential educational model that goes beyond the classroom, fosters applied research, and contributes to the building of healthier and more resilient communities.
Moreover, this collaboration with international organizations like the FAO and high-impact cultural events such as the Popayán Gastronomic Congress opens up new opportunities for visibility, inter-institutional cooperation, and academic innovation—solidifying María Cano as a benchmark in the training of professionals with a critical, ethical, and transformative vision.
The participation in the Sustainable Markets was not only a platform to showcase students’ talent, but also a clear demonstration of the value of higher education as a driver of change in the social, nutritional, and environmental dynamics of the country.