IGS Colombia Holds Second EtE Event

Geosynthetics education strengthened its reach with a second in-person Educate the Educators (EtE) workshop for IGS Colombia.

Forty-five educators gathered in Bogotá for the event co-organized by IGS Colombia, the Colombian Society of Geotechnics (SCG) and the IGS Pan-American Regional Activities Committee, attracting widespread participation from locations including Cali, Yopal, Tunja, Girardot, Urabá, Popayán, Bucaramanga and Medellín.

Professors Jorge Zornberg, Víctor Pimentel, and Augusto Alza delivered a series of insightful lectures before attendees took part in practical activities related to implementing those learnings in academic settings.

The content of the lectures was:

• Professor Jorge Zornberg – functions of geosynthetic materials, geosynthetics in roadway systems, geosynthetics for environmental protection, and a conceptual design workshop.
• Professor Augusto Alza – identification of different types of geosynthetics, and geosynthetics in mining.
• Professor Víctor Pimentel – general concepts of soil reinforcement, walls and slopes in reinforced soil, and the application of geosynthetics in hydraulic structures and erosion control.

A final discussion panel considered strategies for incorporating geosynthetic topics into engineering curricula.

Successful infrastructure case studies in Colombia were also presented by panellists from the event's sponsoring companies. These were Engs. Miguel Aldana (Geomatrix), Daniel Cortés (Maccaferri), Williams Quintero (TDM Colombia), Carolina Ibáñez, and Fernando Cortés (Tensar).

The two-day workshop, held at the Pontifical Javierian University on June 12-13, culminated in a networking evening where attendees exchanged experiences and strengthened connections.

Attendees of the Course Educating the Educators EtE, IGS Colombia 2025

IGS Colombia President Mario Ramirez said: "It is essential to highlight the importance of disseminating knowledge and best practices related to geosynthetic systems and technologies, which are key to improving the performance of structures planned and built within Colombia's infrastructure. IGS Educate the Educators is an ideal way to deliver this."

SCG President Eng. Mónica Bedoya said: "The joy of the attendees was evident, thanks to the academic excellence provided by the guest professors and the entire organizing team. Many thanks to everyone involved, including the IGS Foundation, our sponsors, and Pontificia Universidad Javeriana."

The EtE event was the latest from a revived IGS Colombia chapter, which in 2019 began efforts to boost several initiatives, including training, events, and better engagement with the academic community.

The Chapter's next EtE event is due to take place in 2026, possibly in Medellín, Cali, or Barranquilla. For more information on IGS Colombia, email Chapter President Mario Ramirez at geosinteticos.colombia@gmail.com, or visit the SCG website here.

Stay up-to-date with EtE initiatives, and request an event, by visiting the dedicated web page.