CRUCH prepares next mission to the United Kingdom

The International Relations Committee of the Council of Rectors has initiated a line of work with the UK Embassy with the aim of promoting collaboration between CRUCH universities and their counterparts in the UK.

On December 12th, a meeting was held in London between the Council of Rectors and Universities UK, an organization that brings together British universities whose historical antecedent is the Committee of Rectors and Directors of the Universities of the United Kingdom created in 1918 (For more information consult in www.universitiesuk.ac.uk).

The meeting aimed to analyze ongoing activities and define future actions between Chilean and British universities. Participants included Mr. Sean O'Connor, Head of the Americas Unit at the International Unit; Ms. Mariana González, Head of Studies at CRUCH (Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities); and Mr. Cristian León, Head of Culture and Education at the Chilean Embassy in the United Kingdom. CRUCH confirmed its willingness to participate in a mission of its member universities to the United Kingdom, scheduled for April 2015. The meeting also facilitated progress in coordinating this activity with Universities UK.

The visit aims to strengthen ties and explore new collaboration partners, advance joint research projects, and foster collaboration in postgraduate training. Given the diverse interests expressed by CRUCH universities regarding the visit's thematic focus, three areas will be prioritized: health sciences, engineering, biotechnology and food, and earth sciences and natural resources. Activities include a seminar dedicated to innovation in doctoral training, which will be attended by all local universities, and visits to universities in London and other British cities.

This meeting consolidates the line of work promoted by the international relations committee, which has two precedents: first, the visit made to the Council of Rectors last May by the Director of the International Unit of Universities UK, Ms. Vivienne Stern. Second, the British Embassy's involvement and interest in promoting the opportunities offered by the Newton Fund and its invitations extended to CRUCH universities, which culminated in a meeting with the directors of international relations in Concepción in September. To date, a dozen CRUCH universities across the country have expressed interest in participating in the mission to the United Kingdom.