Universities from the Council of Rectors share research management experiences with a focus on the needs of the regions

Within the context of the international MIMIR Andino project, the “National Working Group: Strengthening the management of Research, Innovation and Technology Transfer” was developed, in which the universities of Aysén, Biobío and Antofagasta participate.

The meeting was attended by Rector Natacha Pino, from the University of Aysén, and Rector Eduardo Hebel from the University of La Frontera, as well as regional secretaries from the Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation.

With the assistance of rectors and academics from universities of the Council of Rectors, and regional ministerial secretaries of the Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation, the “National Working Group: Strengthening the management of Research, Innovation and Technology Transfer” was held on Friday, August 20.

The meeting was part of the activities of the MIMIR Andino project (Modernization for the Institutional Management of Research and Innovation in the Andean Region and Latin America), in which the Observatory of Europe – Latin America Relations (OBREAL) participates; the Colombian Association of Universities (ASCUN); the Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities (CRUCH); various universities from Peru, Spain, Italy and Sweden; and, from Chile, the universities of Aysén, Biobío and Antofagasta.

During the event, the three CRUCH universities shared their experiences in applying the model developed as part of the project by the network of participating institutions, which seeks to install tools for modernizing research management.

One of the aspects highlighted by the universities is that the model was adapted to the specific needs and realities of their respective territories. Thus, the University of Aysén's focus is on advancing the modernization of information and research management through the incorporation of digital tools. Meanwhile, the University of Antofagasta's priority is to generate a model that allows for the management of the institution's research and innovation, while also creating greater synergy and impact on the region's needs. Finally, the University of Bío-Bío focused its work on the use of Big Data, as a tool to support institutional management, for which the university itself developed a computer program.

Collaboration and importance of territories

The Rector of the University of Aysén, Natacha Pino, emphasized that the MIMIR Andino project has been an opportunity for collaborative work among its members, and that its impact has transcended the initial objective of implementing tools for modernizing research management. From her perspective, “the Chilean universities participating in the project, along with the international universities, agencies, and organizations involved, have had the opportunity to exchange experiences. While some have been established for many years and have different realities, they all focus on addressing the same problem: how do we conduct science, innovation, technology, and creative work within our own territories? This is what has created a virtuous collaborative network.”.

For his part, Eduardo Hebel, the rector in charge of the CRUCH Research Commission, from the University of La Frontera, emphasized “the importance of the geographical and territorial dimension in the decentralization of science and technology for the country, as a key element to increase the development of the regions.”.

He also mentioned the new institutional framework promoted by the Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation, which “will allow us to build, together with the territories, the roadmaps that will guide investment in science, technology, knowledge and innovation in the coming years, moving from static efficiency, in which program or project initiatives are presented centrally, to dynamic efficiency, where investment needs are defined from the territories, generating opportunities for those geographical areas that have the potential to develop new knowledge, to generate the solutions that the territory needs, advancing in narrowing the existing gaps with other more advanced areas.”.

Along the same lines, the Regional Ministerial Secretaries of the Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation, representing the Northern Macrozone, Daniela Barría, and the Southern Macrozone, Pamela Santibáñez, maintained that the current model for the development of a science, knowledge, technology and innovation system shows that there is a high degree of heterogeneity throughout the country, so it is necessary to make progress in reducing gaps in advanced human capital and review the relevance of current instruments to enhance the development and strengthening of the territories.