Fundación Universitaria María Cano continues to strengthen its position as a strategic player within Medellín’s science, technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship ecosystem after being selected as one of the 20 beneficiary institutions of the Medellín Conecta – Phase II: Strengthen program. This initiative will enhance institutional capabilities through funding of up to COP 35 million to design and implement a specialized strategic roadmap.

This significant achievement is the result of the strategic work led by the University’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Unit to foster a culture of institutional innovation and an entrepreneurial mindset, strengthen the University’s capabilities, and create greater opportunities for collaboration within the regional science, technology, and innovation ecosystem.

Under the leadership of Yeim Dufranny Narváez Vargas, Coordinator of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Unit, María Cano actively participated in every stage of the program. This included conducting an institutional capacity assessment, participating in co-creation workshops, developing a capacity-building agenda, and presenting the institutional proposal that secured this important recognition. The process reflects a management approach focused on strategic planning, interinstitutional collaboration, and the consolidation of initiatives that create value for both the academic community and the region.

This selection recognizes María Cano’s institutional commitment to strengthening innovation as a cross-cutting pillar of education, research, outreach, creativity, and entrepreneurship. It will also provide access to specialized consulting services to strengthen the University’s institutional innovation model, address identified gaps, and enhance new entrepreneurial capabilities that contribute to the development of high-impact projects.

Fundación Universitaria María Cano thus reaffirms its commitment to transforming knowledge into innovative solutions, strengthening its ability to respond to emerging challenges and contribute to the region’s economic and social development through a management approach that promotes innovation as a driver of institutional growth and as an essential competency in the professional practice of its graduates.

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