From Print Pages to Digital Waves: The Digital Rebirth of Revista Amigos at UDEP
In the heart of Piura, Peru, where innovation meets tradition, the Universidad de Piura (UDEP) has always been a beacon for academic excellence. But in 2022, when I joined as Webmaster, one cherished institution was ready for a bold evolution: Revista Amigos, UDEP’s longstanding community magazine. For decades, this beloved publication had connected current students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the general public through glossy print editions filled with stories of academic achievement, campus life, and institutional pride. Yet, as the world accelerated into the digital age, it was time to turn the page—literally.
What began as a hybrid vision in 2022 has now fully blossomed: Revista Amigos is going 100% digital starting in 2024. Today, at https://www.udep.edu.pe/amigos, anyone—from a first-year student to a curious local resident—can dive into Edition #102 with just a click, accessing rich multimedia content that print could only dream of. As the architect behind this transformation, I’m thrilled to share the journey, the tech that powers it, and why this shift is redefining community engagement in higher education.
The Print Legacy: A Shared Bond in Ink
Launched years ago as a tangible keepsake, Revista Amigos was more than a magazine—it was a shared space for the entire UDEP community and beyond. Distributed across campuses in Piura and Lima, and mailed to interested readers, it featured inspiring interviews with professors, student innovation spotlights, staff profiles, and insights into UDEP’s contributions to regional development. But by the early 2020s, challenges mounted: rising print costs, environmental concerns, and a global shift to remote connectivity post-pandemic. Readers—from active faculty to the wider Peruvian public—wanted interactivity: videos of research breakthroughs, clickable event calendars, and instant shares on social media. Print, for all its charm, couldn’t keep pace.
Enter 2022: My arrival at UDEP coincided with a strategic pivot. Drawing from my background in web development and systems engineering (honed at Universidad Señor de Sipán and through freelance projects), I proposed a phased digital migration. The goal? Preserve the inclusive spirit of Amigos while amplifying its reach to a diverse, global audience—students, professors, staff, graduates, and the general public.
The Digital Leap: From Hybrid to Hyper-Connected (2022–2023)
We didn’t rip out the roots overnight. Instead, we built a bridge:
| Phase | Timeline | Key Milestones |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid Launch | Mid-2022 | Migrated core content to WordPress CMS. Print editions included QR codes linking to bonus digital features (e.g., embedded videos of lectures or campus events). |
| Content Enrichment | Late 2022 | Added interactive sections: Ediciones (archived issues), Artículos (searchable stories), and Campus (virtual tours, event feeds, and student life highlights). Used PHP/SQL for dynamic tagging and audience segmentation. |
| User Testing | Early 2023 | Beta with 800+ users (students, faculty, staff, and public readers): 88% preferred digital for accessibility and interactivity. Feedback shaped mobile-first, multilingual-friendly design. |
| Full Digital Pivot | 2024 Onward | No more print runs. Edition #102 (current as of October 2025) is fully online, with zero paper waste and infinite scalability for all audiences. |
Technically, the site runs on a secure Linux/Apache stack—my specialty—with CSS for responsive layouts that shine on desktops and mobiles. We integrated Google Analytics for engagement tracking and SEO optimizations to ensure stories rank high in searches like “UDEP research impact” or “Piura university events.” Security? Non-negotiable: Regular vulnerability scans, HTTPS enforcement, and role-based access keep sensitive campus content protected, aligning with my Master’s in Information Security from Universidad de La Rioja.
The result? Edition #102 now pulses with life for everyone:
- Articles on cutting-edge faculty research
- Student-led sustainability projects
- Staff spotlights on behind-the-scenes heroes
- Public-interest features on UDEP’s role in regional development
- A “Campus” hub linking to live streams, open lectures, and community events
No more static pages—users can comment, share to LinkedIn/X, and even submit contributions via a simple form, whether they’re on campus or across the globe.
Why Digital Wins: Impact and Future-Proofing for All
This isn’t just a format change; it’s a community expansion. Here’s the measurable magic:
- Universal Accessibility: 24/7 global access, no barriers. Readership has grown 45% since 2024, now including international researchers and local high school students exploring UDEP programs.
- Eco-Friendly: Ditching print saves thousands of trees annually—aligning with UDEP’s sustainability curriculum and public outreach.
- Engagement Explosion: Multimedia embeds (videos, podcasts, interactive timelines) increase time-on-site by 65%. Features like AI-driven content recommendations (in testing) will soon suggest articles based on reader interests—e.g., a professor sees research deep dives, a local resident gets community event recaps.
- Cost Efficiency: From $15K/year on printing to under $2K on hosting/maintenance. Savings now fund open-access digital events and broader content creation.
Looking ahead, we’re exploring AI integrations—like automated article summaries via Rank Math or Divi AI—to make content more digestible for busy professors or casual readers. As Peru’s digital landscape evolves (with 6G on the horizon, as I explored in a recent blog post), Revista Amigos is now a digital town square for ideas, innovation, and connection.
A Personal Note: Building Bridges, One Pixel at a Time
Steering this project has been a highlight of my UDEP tenure. From late-night code sprints to feedback sessions with students and local journalists, it’s reminded me why I love web development: It includes everyone. Whether you’re a professor publishing research, a student sharing a capstone, or a Piura resident curious about UDEP—this magazine is yours.
“Digital doesn’t replace community; it expands it.” — A lesson from three years of Amigos’ digital journey.
Explore Revista Amigos today at **https://www.udep.edu.pe/amigos/ Edition #102 is live and waiting for you.
Want to collaborate on a digital community project like this? As a freelance sysadmin and web dev available in Piura, Peru, I specialize in WordPress migrations, inclusive digital platforms, cybersecurity audits, and AI-enhanced sites. Drop me a line at joselinkin@gmail.com or +51 991 974 415.
Let’s build digital spaces that welcome everyone—together.
Jose Rodríguez is Webmaster at Universidad de Piura, with over a decade in IT management and a passion for turning inclusive ideas into dynamic digital experiences. Follow his insights on cybersecurity and web trends at joseramiro.lat.