As part of the Training Plan aimed at affiliated institutions, the Colombian Association of Higher Education Institutions (ACIET) and the National Training Service (SENA) held the conference “Higher Education from the Perspective of Inclusion and Equity,” a training space that brought together representatives from various Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the municipality of Neiva.

The event sought to deepen the understanding of concepts, regulatory frameworks, and institutional processes that support inclusion and educational equity—fundamental pillars for strengthening academic programs and student retention strategies. The session became a key setting for updating criteria and aligning practices to face the new challenges emerging in higher education in Colombia.

On this occasion, the María Cano University Foundation, Neiva campus, served as host institution and partner in organizing the event, providing a collaborative space for administrative staff, faculty members, and students from the campus. Directors and representatives from other HEIs in the region also participated, including the Fundación Escuela Tecnológica FET, Universidad Antonio Nariño, and Fundación Universitaria Navarra, who joined the inter-institutional dialogue on best practices and quality standards.

The conference was led by attorney Héctor Julián García, an expert with more than 12 years of experience in the higher education sector. His background includes strategic roles within the Ministry of National Education as well as academic and administrative responsibilities in various educational institutions across the country. His presentation offered an updated overview of regulatory requirements and opportunities for improvement in inclusion, relevance, and educational quality.

These academic spaces are consolidated as fundamental support for processes related to registro calificado and high-quality accreditation of academic programs, particularly regarding the commitments HEIs must undertake in inclusion, equity, and attention to diversity. Through initiatives like this, ACIET and SENA continue to strengthen institutional development and promote a higher education system that is more accessible, coherent, and aligned with the country’s needs.