"We are proud of Universidad Nacional de Colombia," Santos

This recognition was received by the President of Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Moisés Wasserman, who asserted that this recognition is a merit of all the members of the community. "The university does not work for the prizes; but this recognition indicates that things are being done correctly," asserted Wasserman.

President Santos also awarder the Simon Bolivar Order on the life and work in education to the former president of the institution, José Félix Patiño Restrepo, creator of the reform that carries his name and that changed completely the University.

"We needed to acknowledge his labor in education. The country knows his achievements as a doctor. His reform in the 60s changed Universidad Nacional de Colombia into what we know today, he played a key role: he grouped everything in three big faculties; he tripled the budget and the number of careers. Therefore, the country is proud of the institution thanks to doctor Patiño. For this reason, I want everyone to give José Félix, this eminence and scientific glory, this unforgettable Professor and President, a big round of applause," asserted the President of Colombia.

Profesor Patiño mentioned to Agencia de Noticias UN that now, as a member of the Superior Council of the University, he will have a meeting with President Santos and the Ministry of Education, Maria Fernanda Campo, to talk about the proposal for offering free higher education.

The President and the Ministry announced during the ceremony that in 2012, primary and secondary education will have no cost, from grade cero to eleventh grade in official and public schools. This model will cover the entire country. The same benefit should be applied to higher education, mentioned Professor Patiño.

Universidad Nacional de Colombia received 20 prizes to the Best in Education 2011 such as: Best Research Group, for being part of Ceiba team; it accredited nationally and internationally 11 of its programs in Chemical engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Industrial Mechatronics engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Psychology and Cultural Communication Management, in the campuses if Bogotá, Medellin and Manizales.

Eight prizes were given to the students that obtained the highest scores in the state tests Saber Pro and that of life and work for Professor Patiño.