The Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Neiva Campus, solidified its position in 2025 as the most recognized private higher education institution in Huila department, driven by academic growth, social impact, and regional partnerships. Serving around 2,000 students, mostly from low-income strata and local backgrounds, the university provides programs tailored to local and global needs while advancing toward accreditation.
The Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia (UCC), Neiva Campus, stands out with a community of about 2,000 students in undergraduate and graduate programs, over 11,000 alumni, and a robust faculty and administrative staff. Eighty percent of its students come from socioeconomic strata 1 and 2, with most being from Huila, highlighting its role as an educational driver in the region.
Undergraduate offerings include Civil Engineering, Agrofood Engineering, Systems Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Law, Psychology, Crossmedia Design, Transmedia Narrative, and Technology in Criminalistics and Forensic Sciences, with graduates holding key positions in local, national, and international companies. Graduate programs feature specializations in Law (Labor, Penal, Public, and Process), Structural Analysis and Design, Quality Management and Health Auditing, and Coffee Production and Trade.
The institution plans to introduce new programs such as Software Engineering, Specialization in Human Talent Management, Master's in Law, Master's in Engineering, Specialization in Road Infrastructure, Specialization in Tourism for Territorial Development, and Master's in Health Psychology.
In research, it achieved milestones in Minciencias' Call 957, with two groups reaching A1 category: Psicosaberes and Engineering Group. It maintains 10 active seedbeds and 21 Scopus-indexed publications.
Social impact efforts encompass the “Decido ser mejor” project, reaching 6,000 people across 37 municipalities; the Nativa Solidaria del Cuidado Store; the “Emprende Paz” Festival involving over 50 conflict-victim entrepreneurs; a potable water system for El Juncal benefiting 5,000 residents; and infrastructure designs for Rivera. The Legal Clinic served 697 users, while the Psychological Clinic conducted over 1,450 sessions.
Led by Patricia Sánchez Rubio, it received in 2025 the Orden Cacique Timanco Decoration from the Huila Departmental Assembly, recognition from ACORD for sports contributions, and acknowledgment from Neiva's Ombudsman for human rights promotion.
The UCC is progressing toward Multicampus Institutional Accreditation, with its initial conditions document submitted to the CNA and a peer visit scheduled for March 17, bolstering indicators in academics, research, and social outreach.
