Abstract
The aim of this paper is to describe the methodology underlying the Project "Colorado School-Field" (Colombia, South America), as well as the monitoring, assessing, and improvement indicators. In addition, it intends to highlight the academic and practical projects designed to improve the conditions of the field, within a medium and long terms. In 2006, this field was given from ECOPETROL S.A. (Colombian Petroleum Company) to the UIS to be operated as a school-field approach which means that it aims both academic and productive objectives and indicators. From the academic point of view, the School-Field involves comprehensively the UIS missionary duties with regard to teaching, research, and community impact. As far as the productive point of view, the activities of exploration, exploitation, and dispatch of crude and gas are reactivated, enhanced and they continuously consider the social responsibility with the community. The experience of the School-Field has been very beneficial for both institutions, as it has reinforced and qualified traditional relationships and agreements between ECOPETROL S.A. and the UIS. The Experience of "Colorado" has also inspired changes in the structure of subject courses in formal and informal education. Now it allows simultaneity of studies, investigation and professional work, convergence of strategic enterprising lines with research lines. In the same way the graduate program subjects must be support and consultancy to improve knowledge products of each posgrade level: research studies in master's programs and doctoral theses. On the other hand, the experience has been an inspiring model to similar projects at UIS such as, turning the Hospital Universitario Regional into a School-Field and supporting (Scientific and Technological Park-Guatigurá, with the presence of both institutions)) other School-Fields in the areas of alternative energy, biotechnology, agro-industry and materials.
