Office of the Academic Vice Rector
Inclusive Education Policy
ABOUT THE
Policy
Within the framework of the implementation of the Inclusive Education Policy of the Universidad Industrial de Santander (Agreement of the Academic Council No. 032 of 2019) and the commitment to equitable, diverse, and quality higher education, UIS strengthens its Inclusive Education strategy, led by the Office of the Academic Vice Rector through the Academic Excellence System (SEA-UIS), Student Welfare, and CEDEDUIS, articulating the efforts of faculties, schools, and administrative units to build a more accessible, supportive university committed to human diversity.
This initiative seeks to guarantee access, retention, and timely graduation for all students, recognizing diversity as a value that enriches university life. Likewise, it promotes the development of institutional capacities that enable the removal of barriers to learning and participation, ensuring education grounded in the principles of equity, respect, inclusion, and academic excellence.
As part of the communication strategy, this space has been designed to share progress, activities, and documents associated with the strengthening of Inclusive Education at UIS, as well as to receive contributions, opinions, and proposals from the university community.
The active participation of all university stakeholders is essential to consolidate a more inclusive, accessible university committed to human diversity.
Share your comments
On the policy update
IMPORTANT
Dates
16
Thursday
October
Session 1: Training of the UIS Inclusive Education Core Team
Time: 7:30 a.m.
Location: SEA Room 2, Edificio Bienestar Estudiantil, Main Campus
Session Summary
The first session focused on strengthening the capacities of the UIS Inclusive Education Core Team through the review of differentiated approaches, current regulations, and institutional support pathways. Work was carried out on the guidelines for the identification and support of students with disabilities or neurodivergence, consolidating the foundations of the replicator group that will support the implementation of the inclusive approach across the different faculties and academic units of the University.
17
Friday
October
Session 2: Awareness on Inclusive Education and Presentation of the Characteristics of Students in the “Somos Todos UIS” Program
Time: 7:30 a.m.
Location: Aula Máxima de Ciencias / Sala SEA 2, Edificio Bienestar Estudiantil, Main Campus
Session Summary
The second session further developed the institutional understanding of Inclusive Education and provided an opportunity to share the progress of the characterization of students in the “Somos Todos UIS” program. The main findings regarding the needs, challenges, and strengths of this population were presented, promoting collective reflection on diversity, equity, and accessibility in higher education.
20
Monday
October
Session 3: Conceptualization and Principles of DUA and PIAR, and Dissemination of Successful Experiences in Reasonable Classroom Adjustments by Type of Disability
Time: 7:30 a.m.
Location: Auditorio Ágora, second floor, Edificio de Ciencias Humanas I, Main Campus
Session Summary
During this session, the foundations of the Universal Design for Learning (DUA) and the Individual Plans for Reasonable Adjustments (PIAR) were addressed, highlighting their role in ensuring student access and participation. Additionally, successful experiences of reasonable classroom adjustments by type of disability were shared, fostering the exchange of inclusive practices among academic stakeholders.
24
Friday
October
Session 4: Training in UDL and Neuropsychopedagogical Strategies by Type of Disability
Time: 7:30 a.m.
Location: Aula Máxima de Ciencias / Sala Multifuncional, second floor, Edificio Bienestar Pro, Main Campus
Session Details
The fourth session focused on neuropsychopedagogical strategies for the inclusion of students with autism and included a practical workshop aimed at designing lesson plans based on UDL, integrating the use of artificial intelligence tools to support inclusive teaching planning.
27
Monday
October
Session 5: Working Groups – “Accessible and Inclusive UIS” Inclusive Education Project
Time: 7:30 a.m.
Location: Sala Multifuncional, second floor, Bienestar PRO, MainCampus
Session Details
During this session, collaborative working groups were conducted to analyze the progress, challenges, and proposals of the “Accessible and Inclusive UIS” project, with the aim of strengthening institutional actions that promote accessibility, inclusion, and the consolidation of a more equitable university culture.
31
Friday
October
Session 6: Advisory on Specific Institutional Cases
Time: 7:30 a.m.
Location: Sala Multifuncional, second floor, Bienestar PRO, Main Campus
Session Details
The final session of the cycle was dedicated to the review of real cases within the University, focusing on personalized strategies based on diagnoses, solution proposals grounded in DUA and PIAR, and the design of immediate support plans for each situation, consolidating a practical space for specialized guidance.
PROGRESS IN
Implementation
The Universidad Industrial de Santander, in compliance with Agreement of the Academic Council No. 032 of 2019 and in alignment with the guidelines of the Ministry of National Education, is advancing in strengthening its Inclusive Education Policy. This process seeks to consolidate a university that recognizes and addresses the diversity of its community by identifying vulnerable populations within the institution and promoting equitable, accessible, and barrier-free learning environments.
As part of its institutional commitment, a roadmap has been defined, beginning with the characterization of diverse student bodies and minds, one of the most representative and priority groups within the inclusion actions. This initial phase will generate insights and guidelines to progressively continue with the identification and analysis of other populations recognized by national regulations, ensuring that no group is excluded from the scope of the policy.
In parallel, training and awareness sessions have been conducted at the institutional level, led by an expert in Inclusive Education, with the participation of Academic-Administrative Units (UAA) and various stakeholders from the university community. These actions aim to strengthen institutional capacities in inclusive education and to gather technical and pedagogical inputs to guide the update of the UIS Inclusive Education Policy.
KEY ACTIVITIES OF THE
Process
RECOGNITION OF VULNERABLE Populations in the University Community
In this phase, an institutional exercise is carried out to make visible the diversity present in the UIS community. In accordance with national regulations, populations such as persons with diverse bodies and minds, ethnic communities, Afro-Colombian, Indigenous, and Rom populations, people with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities, victims of armed conflict, persons deprived of liberty, migrants, and single mothers, among others, who require differentiated support, are included.
This initial recognition makes it possible to establish technical and conceptual criteria to guide the collection of information and the formulation of relevant strategies.
CHARACTERIZATION OF THE POPULATION with Diverse Bodies and minds
As a starting point, a detailed characterization of students with diverse bodies and minds is conducted through the SOMOS TODOS UIS program and the support programs of the Academic Excellence System (SEA-UIS). This process considers academic, social, and well-being variables that allow for the identification of barriers, required supports, specific needs, and individual strengths.
It is carried out under a participatory approach that seeks to directly listen to their experiences, perceptions, and proposals, recognizing their voices as central in the development of more humane and contextualized institutional actions. The resulting information serves as a foundation for designing accessibility strategies, defining reasonable adjustments, and guiding pedagogical and administrative processes with equity and empathy.
INSTITUTIONAL TRAINING FOR THE Strengthening of an Inclusive Culture
Training sessions are being conducted for different university stakeholders and Academic-Administrative Units (UAA) to promote an inclusive culture and strengthen institutional capacities. These spaces address topics such as the Universal Design for Learning (DUA), the formulation of Individual Plans for Reasonable Adjustments (PIAR), neuropsychopedagogical strategies, digital accessibility, inclusive communication, and support for students with diverse conditions and specific needs.
Additionally, a core multiplier team has been established, composed of professionals from SEA-UIS and Student Welfare, responsible for guiding the territorial implementation of these strategies, providing technical support, and ensuring the sustainability of the inclusive approach across academic, curricular, and administrative processes.
ARTICULATION AND CONSOLIDATION OF Internal Support Networks
The implementation of this strategy requires active coordination among all Academic-Administrative Units (UAA); therefore, internal support networks are being consolidated to integrate efforts, share experiences, and define joint support pathways.
This articulation seeks to ensure that inclusion processes are carried out in alignment with institutional policies and national guidelines, strengthening collaborative management that benefits the entire university community.
UPDATE OF THE UIS Inclusive Education Policy
Each recognition, characterization, and training activity generates valuable inputs on the realities, challenges, and existing good practices within the University. This information is systematized to support the updating process of the Inclusive Education Policy, ensuring that the new document reflects both national regulations and the lived experiences within UIS.
The purpose is to build a more robust, practical, and contextualized policy that guides the work of faculties, schools, and administrative units toward education grounded in equity, participation, and shared responsibility.
MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND COMMUNICATION Ongoing Tracking of Progress
Finally, continuous monitoring is carried out to assess the implementation of actions and the effectiveness of the strategies adopted. This microsite plays a central role as a tool for communication, transparency, and participation, enabling the sharing of progress, the dissemination of training materials, the publication of schedules, and the collection of suggestions from the university community.
The commitment of all stakeholders is essential to sustain a process of continuous improvement and to consolidate an increasingly inclusive, accessible, and humane UIS.
DIMENSIONS OF THE
Policy
Curricular
Research and Outreach
Spatial
Administrative
SUPPORTING
Documents
Something New Happens Every Day!
Discover the progress and updates of the process
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Contact Us
Academic Excellence System (SEA)
Telephone: +57 (607) 634 4000
Extensionn: 2949 – 1288
Email: academicaestudiantes@uis.edu.co
Campus Central UIS
Bucaramanga, Santander
Carrera 27 calle 9
Edificio de Bienestar Estudiantil
Office Hours
Monday to Friday
7:00 a.m. – noon.
2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.