Educación, empleabilidad y emprendimiento: Aportes de los egresados del Programa de Administración de Empresas Agropecuarias de la USTA Villavicencio al desarrollo regional

Abstract

This research analyzed the contributions of graduates from the Agropecuary Business Administration program at the Universidad Santo Tomás—Villavicencio to the regional development of Meta department. To this end, a quantitative approach was adopted, complemented by qualitative elements, using data collection techniques through a structured online instrument. The research design was descriptive and exploratory, which allowed for the identification of patterns, the generation of knowledge, and the documentation of understudied phenomena within the regional agro—entrepreneurial context. The analysis characterized the professional performance of graduates who earned their degrees between 2015 and 2024, considering their employability, entrepreneurial initiatives, and their economic and social contributions to the region. The findings highlight the relevance of higher education in strengthening professional competencies, as well as its positive effect on the development of innovative initiatives and the dynamization of the local agro–entrepreneurial sector. Finally, recommendations were proposed to strengthen the link between university, industry, and territory; promote a sustainable, inclusive, and competitive regional development model; and consolidate graduates’ employability and entrepreneurship. These findings reinforce the concept of the virtuous circle of the 3Es: Education, Employability, and Entrepreneurship, demonstrating graduates’ capacity to generate positive and sustainable impacts in their territory, contributing to regional economic and social development.