Universidad de la Salle

Utopian students from the Agricultural Engineering and Agronomic Engineering programs, had an enriching visit to the United States Embassy in Colombia. With the participation of Bro. Niky Murcia, Rector, and Mr. Libardo Gutiérrez, director of International and Interinstitutional Relations, the students carried out their visa procedures for the future international mobility under the “Cacao for Peace” initiative from 100K Strong in the Americas Innovation Fund:

• Cacao Innovation Rural Youth Lab: Instilling global values through shared agricultural activities.

• Circular Agriculture in Cocoa Production: A Sustainable Strategy to Promote a Healthy Environment, Food and Life.

• Utopia: Leveraging the Advancement of Rural Irrigation Systems in Cocoa Plantations Through International Collaborations.

At this meeting the students shared their motivations for the trip to the United States. La Salle showed the academic and scientific support for sustainable innovation in the Colombian cacao sector.

At the Utopía campus, the University manages a cocoa crop for productive and educational purposes with an area of 1.5 hectares, integrated within an agroforestry system that also includes banana, acacia and bees, all of which are integrated into the practical operation. Through the mobility the students will be able to experience new methodologies and strengthen their knowledge about cocoa production by approaching similar training projects.

We hope that the projects will not only contribute to the development of the cocoa sector in Colombia, especially in the students' areas of origin, but also provide them with valuable experiences and international connections.