Digital education and connectivity in Colombia and Peru

Efforts to improve digital literacy and connectivity are expanding across Colombia and Peru through hardware distribution and infrastructure support.

In Colombia and Peru, educational institutions have received significant technological upgrades. In Ipiales, Colombia, 218 devices were delivered to local schools to integrate modern tools into pedagogical strategies. In Peru, the National Institute of Statistics and Informatics transferred 22,500 tablets and 60 computers to the Ministry of Education to support remote public schools.

In Colombia, the focus has expanded to include digital transformation in higher education and emergency connectivity. Following earthquake damage, the Ministry of TIC announced increased internet speeds for 380 Digital Centers in rural areas including Chocó, Quindío, Risaralda, and Valle del Cauca. Satellite connectivity kits are being deployed to support emergency command posts in Valle del Cauca to facilitate recovery efforts.

Recent developments show Colombia is further integrating science and technology into regional reconstruction and economic policy. In Cundinamarca, the Departmental Council of Science, Technology, and Innovation (CODECTI) has established strategic lines for agriculture, health, and data science, including a 10-year project portfolio and a hospital data science pilot. To assist with earthquake recovery, the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation is collaborating with the Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira to develop a regional seismic network and utilize biotechnology for agro-industrial recovery. Additionally, discussions regarding the digital transformation of higher education continue, with experts advocating for a national policy to transition Colombia toward a knowledge-based economy.