Fundación Universitaria María Cano, Neiva Campus, continues to strengthen its commitment to applied research, social outreach, and the development of strategic partnerships that contribute to community well-being. As part of this commitment, the institution participates as an external partner in the research project “Participatory Territorial Model for the Promotion of Youth Mental Health in Aipe, Huila: Community Governance from Local Public Administration.” This initiative aims to strengthen institutional and community capacities for promoting the emotional well-being of young people in the municipality.

As part of the project’s implementation, a visit was conducted to Jesús María Aguirre Charry Educational Institution, providing an opportunity to officially present the research initiative and establish collaborative mechanisms among academia, the educational community, and key stakeholders in the territory. The meeting brought together principal investigator Leonardo Fabio Medina Ortiz, María Cano representative Gladys Tamayo Perdomo, school principal William López Avilés, and representatives of the local government, all of whom highlighted the importance of promoting joint actions that support youth mental health and comprehensive development.

During the meeting, participants reviewed the project’s objectives, methodology, and implementation phases, emphasizing the importance of participatory processes that recognize young people as key actors in the construction of solutions to the social challenges faced by their communities. Commitments were also established to facilitate the development of the research, strengthen the participation of teachers and school counselors, and generate information that contributes to a deeper understanding of the realities experienced by students in the municipality.

María Cano’s participation in this initiative reaffirms its commitment to generating scientific knowledge with social impact, promoting research that contributes to the development of innovative strategies for mental health promotion, youth engagement, and the construction of healthier, more inclusive, and resilient territories.

This type of interinstitutional partnership demonstrates the transformative role of higher education in territorial development processes by bringing together academia, educational institutions, public entities, and communities to create research-based solutions aimed at collective well-being.

Through initiatives such as this, Fundación Universitaria María Cano continues to strengthen its contribution to social transformation, promoting projects that support human development, community capacity building, and the creation of opportunities for future generations.

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