Rotorr Corporation claims to have managed $340 billion in "academic knowledge" projects.

The Rotorr Corporation, Engine of Innovation, confirmed this Saturday that two years after its founding, it has managed to manage more than $342.8 billion in projects with state entities . According to the organization, among its goals, the organization has included the integration of academic knowledge with the state's transformation and modernization needs. This was reported by the entity, which operates as a spin-off of the National University (UNAL).

Rotorr stated that it has executed contracts with institutions such as the Comptroller General's Office (CGR), the Ombudsman's Office, the National Electoral Council, the ICFES (Spanish Institute of Social Development), the UGPP (General Construction and Development), and the National Hydrocarbons Agency. Its projects, according to the communication released, include innovation strategies , digital transformation, institutional modernization, cultural change management, social appropriation of knowledge, and technical capacity development in highly vulnerable areas.

According to figures shared by the corporation, more than $5 billion has been managed for the National University, including direct transfers, university welfare, and project financing.

Additionally, Rotorr also stated that it generated a surplus of $4.7 billion, which will be reinvested in "academic community initiatives, university well-being, and science, technology, and innovation projects to strengthen the University's mission."

The corporation also highlighted that its impact is reflected in the creation of 983 direct jobs, of which 93 are for students and 79 for graduates, as well as more than 5,000 indirect jobs in partnership with public, private, and community stakeholders.

At the academic level, the organization stated that it has promoted the publication of 21 indexed scientific articles, 7 process innovations, 5 book chapters, and participation in 31 scientific events.

Among the corporation's most representative projects is a national strategy for the social appropriation of human rights knowledge, developed in conjunction with the Ombudsman's Office, which, according to the organization, has benefited more than 55,000 citizens. Rotorr also highlights the provision of 13,657 food aid packages to vulnerable students, managed through the Student Support Fund (FAE).

The corporation also highlighted the development of an innovative model for integrating technological services within the Comptroller General's Office, which, it reported, " promises to transform the oversight of public resources in Colombia through the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning ."

The corporation stated that it now plans to replicate its model at other public universities, as a strategy for sustainability and generating public value from academia, in a context of fiscal deficit. This strategy, it reported, also seeks to "support the entrepreneurial endeavors of students, faculty, graduates, and vulnerable communities."

Leopoldo Múnera, rector of the National University, has criticized Rotorr, citing an alleged lack of resource management. Among his main accusations, Múnera asserted that Rotorr has not provided clear and detailed information about the handling of large sums of money.

Múnera has also pointed to an alleged lack of consistent access to important documents. Múnera also argues that Rotorr has not made significant contributions to the National University.

On May 23, the Rotorr corporation issued an open letter responding to these statements by the rector of the National University. In this communication, Rotorr presented supporting documents for transfers of more than 1.6 billion pesos to UNAL accounts, as well as the receipt of more than 2.1 billion pesos in additional funds through projects managed by the corporation.

The National University has been immersed in a controversy due to the process of electing and inaugurating its rector, which has generated a conflict of statements and positions among different actors , including the designated rector, Leopoldo Múnera, and other members of the University Superior Council (CSU) and the academic community.

The root of the debate lies in the election of the rector for the 2024-2027 term. Although the university community consultation declared Professor Leopoldo Múnera the winner, the University Superior Council (CSU) appointed José Ismael Peña Reyes.

This decision was questioned by some sectors, who criticized the CSU vote and argued that it deviated from the will of the university establishment. The main friction arose from the fact that the CSU appointed José Ismael Peña , while the prior consultation with the university community, although not binding, favored Leopoldo Múnera. This has led to accusations that the selection did not reflect the sentiment of the academic community.

The situation became more complicated when José Ismael Peña took office as rector. Peña argued that it was his duty to take office to avoid leaving the university without legal representation, seeking to protect institutional interests.

The CSU, the university's highest authority, has been criticized for its decisions leading to the appointment of Leopoldo Múnera as interim rector. This has created legal and administrative uncertainty regarding who legally holds the rectorship.

The controversy has escalated to the courts. Appeals for protection and other legal remedies have been filed seeking to resolve the validity of the election and inauguration. The Council of State, for example, has had to rule on the legality of Peña Nieto's election, underscoring the legal complexity of the matter.