Universidad Icesi⁣

Founded 45 years ago, Universidad Icesi, located in Cali, Valle del Cauca, has established itself as a platform that transforms lives and empowers organizations to build a better future. Recognized as one of Colombia’s most prestigious universities, it stands out for its high academic standards supported by research and connections with the social and business environment. The university hosts research groups and specialized academic centers that address various topics in international networks.

Climate Change and its Impact on Biodiversity: Research and Solutions⁣

* This topic is related to COP16 goal 8.

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing our society, with diverse and severe impacts on biodiversity. Scientific research is essential to understand these effects and develop effective mitigation solutions. Universidad Icesi conducts research to assess the impact of climate change on ecosystems and generate mitigation tools. For example, it analyzes and supports food security in areas at risk due to high climate variability and reduced water resources. At the urban level, it promotes gardens as a strategy for food security and investigates how different animals respond to climate variability.⁣

Sustainable Utilization of Colombian Biodiversity: Natural and Bioactive Ingredients

* This topic is related to COP16 goal 9.

Colombian biodiversity is an invaluable treasure for obtaining bioactive compounds and bioproducts with beneficial properties for health, agriculture, and industry. Through research and development of bioproducts, opportunities for collaboration between universities, companies, and local communities are generated, fostering knowledge transfer, innovation, and the creation of sustainable value chains, driving the bioeconomy. Universidad Icesi has cutting-edge research capabilities that enable it to lead innovative projects, enhancing positive impacts on the environment, society, and economy.⁣

Success story

Research

Identification of Fungal Strain with Antimicrobial Potential⁣.
Universidad Icesi identified an endophytic fungal strain with the potential to synthesize antimicrobial molecules. A new species, Diaporthe caliensis, and new bioactive molecules, caliensolides A and B, were molecularly identified. The fungal metabolomic richness was stimulated through systematic media formulations and bioreactor configurations, laying the foundation for more effective screening methodologies.⁣

Strategic Partnership

Fundación Valle de Lili and Helmholtz Zentrum Institute⁣
Human Health – Combating Clinical Fungal Infections from an Interdisciplinary Perspective⁣
2024⁣
Identification of a native fungus from Cali with antifungal activity against clinical isolates resistant to conventional treatments.⁣

Alliance Bioversity International & ⁣CIAT⁣
Food Security and Decarbonization⁣
2024⁣
Evaluation of food economic sectors, calculation of carbon footprint, and proposals to reduce it, improving climate security and projecting the generation of food closer to the city.⁣

Awards and Recognitions

Times Higher Education (THE) Young University Ranking
2024
#1 University in the region and among the 10 best in Latin America.

Universidad Icesi Professor invited as a speaker at the launch of the National Bird Conservation Strategy for Colombia (ENCA 2030), held at the Colombian Embassy in Washington D.C.
2023
In his presentation, “A Multi-Level Network for Avian Conservation,” Professor Gustavo Londoño highlighted the potential of bird biodiversity in the Valle del Cauca region and how ENCA can promote its integration with the economic development of local communities.

Winner of the CIDESCO award in the “Environmental Innovations” category with the project “Ready for Impact,” of the Universidad Icesi Center for Afro-Diasporic Studies (CEAF).
2022
The “Ready for Impact” project supported social leaders in developing their personal, social, and organizational capacities, thereby enhancing their leadership in social and environmental transformations.

Universidad Icesi leads innovative research to address environmental issues, focusing on climate change mitigation and the utilization of national biological resources to drive sustainable bioeconomy. These studies explore how Colombian biodiversity responds to climate change and the potential of biological resources to promote a sustainable bioeconomy.

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