My name is Juan Manuel Palacios Luna. Currently in the fourth semester of the doctorate in Political Science at the Universidad de los Andes.
Unfortunately, in Chocó, where I come from, there is no university where I can carry out doctoral studies in social sciences. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to access the Universidad de los Andes, one of the best universities in Latin America, an institution that has been strengthening its commitment to remote regions of the country, facilitating access to students from these areas. In particular, as a student from the Pacific, I feel very fortunate to lead and actively participate in spaces promoted within the University to exalt the benefits of my region, such as the Semillero del Pacífico.
I chose the Universidad de los Andes because in addition to guaranteeing me a high quality education, here I can freely express my concerns about the Colombian Pacific. In addition, I feel supported because many academics from the institution share my concerns and I have found a way to contribute to the solution of the problems that persist in my region.
I have no doubt that opening spaces for students with great potential and desire to study, coming from remote regions of the country, can be trained at the University of the Andes or high-quality institutions, represents a form of inclusion that contributes to economic development, promotes core-periphery cohesion, and reduces persistent inequities in Colombia.