Closing the gap between scholastic learning and practice at companies

At Grupo Plastilene it has become very important to share our experience with circular economy models and sustainability. We do this by working with different students from universities in hopes of closing the gap between on campus education and professional implementation.

We must synchronize academia and the business sector to ensure students get an adequate, complete, and relevant education. Most of the time, the gap between what is taught in schools and what happens in work environments manifests itself as not being up to date with industry and a lack of applicability.

Formal education, though essential, needs to be complemented with practical experience and the most up to date information so students can adapt to these new challenges. For us, incorporating academia into our operations has not only offered many students a real life experience and insight into the industry but also has given us access to their research and most recent theories. This bidirectional focus has eased the exchange of ideas between students who gain knowledge and improve our business practices.

Our efforts to close this gap:

In the last few years we have held different events to strengthen this synergy. These are some highlights:

1. A talk at Universidad de San Buenaventura in May of 2020: This talk focused on how Corporate Sustainable Responsibility has become a pillar of sustainability in our industry and the importance of this at a management level.
2. Event on Circular Economy at Universidad del Rosario in November of 2022: We focused on the challenges and opportunities of a circular economy, especially when related to life cycle analysis for products and services. We also discussed different Colombian public policy perspectives, and made a note of how important the integration of academia and industry is.
3. Panel on Circular Economy in the Universidad Externado in March of 2023: Together with Coca-Cola, Grupo Éxito, and other key actors, we shared our experiences about the main R’s in the circular economy. This opportunity allowed college students to understand the main challenges and opportunities in the implementation of circular practices in real life.
4. Students from the Universidad de los Andes visit Reciclene in February of 2024 and March of 2023: students were taken on our Circular Economy Tour  and learned first hand how this model is applied in the plastics industry. Professor Julia Rosa Romero noted how unique this experience was in putting theory and practice side by side in an enriching environment.
5. Case Study presented at INALDE’s MBA in March of 2024, April of 2024, and August of 2024: We shared our sustainability strategy with the goal of increasing engagement and proper recycling practices, supporting a circular economy. These exchanges have strengthened our future leaders academically and inspired them to have a sustainable focus in their careers.
6. Collaborating with the Instituto Superior Universitario Cotopaxi in Ecuador in 2024: Agroplásticos, our company in Ecuador carried out its first event at a university. They presented our portfolio, highlighting the advantages of plastic use in agriculture, and to showcase how students and small-scale farmers can benefit and responsibly manage plastic.
7. Masters in Innovation at Universidad de la Sabana in May, 2024: The Masters program increases awareness of practices within a circular economy, taking it from theory to practice.

The road ahead

We have an open door policy to continue working alongside academia towards a more sustainable future for plastics in our region. We hope to welcome many more students. Building with them new projects that grow our sustainability strategy and incorporate their vision, but above all empower them to be more responsible citizens when it comes to their relationship to waste.