A life dedicated to service
Dr. María Luisa Piraquive
Born in the municipality of Chipatá, in the department of Santander, Colombia, Dr. María Luisa Piraquive grew up in a humble and entrepreneurial family. During her childhood and youth, she lived with her parents, Obdulio Piraquive and María Corredor, and her seven siblings, being the third of eight children.
She completed her primary education in the municipality of Sáchica, Boyacá. Later, she moved to Bogotá, where she pursued her secondary education through a radio-based learning programme. From an early age, she was instilled with strong ethical and moral values. Her father was a man characterised by his love of reading and his entrepreneurial spirit, which enabled him to hold significant public positions. His example left an indelible mark on Dr María Luisa, inspiring her to become a self-taught learner.
In 1993, driven by her desire for self-improvement, she pursued professional study and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics and Literature from Universidad de La Sabana in Bogotá. In 2000, she completed a diploma in Community Management and Social Administration at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, as well as a specialisation in Educational Management at Universidad Libre.
In 2016, Dr. María Luisa graduated with a Master’s degree in International Law, Human Rights, and International Cooperation from the European Institute Campus Stellae in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Additionally, in 2019, she was awarded a PhD in International Law from Universidad Central de Nicaragua, through its postgraduate faculty in Austria.
With a constant focus on the development of society and the wellbeing of individuals, Dr. María Luisa considers it essential to promote the importance of values and principles, such as respect for human dignity and the human condition, among others. She sees educational practice as the cornerstone for shaping individuals with a strong sense of solidarity.
Dr María Luisa sees education as the ideal platform for fostering values and developing patterns of behaviour grounded in equity, freedom, justice, respect, and social responsibility. She believes the educational environment involves key players—including families, teachers, schools, and the media—who play a fundamental role in ensuring individual and collective wellbeing.
TITLES AND HONOURS
Dr. María Luisa Piraquive’s effective leadership has been demonstrated through various social and educational activities benefiting vulnerable communities both nationally and internationally. Her exemplary work has earned her numerous titles and honours, including:
