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The tenured professor of the Institute of History of the Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso assumed his position for the period 2022-2026 in a solemn ceremony that took place at the Main House and was broadcast live at various locations.
At the Main House, the traditional ceremony of assumption of the new rector of the PUCV, full professor of the Institute of History, Nelson Vásquez Lara, took place, who will occupy this position between 2022 and 2026, after the three periods of the academic Claudio Elórtegui Raffo, who was in charge of the University Institution since 2010.
The activity began with a Thanksgiving Mass in the University Chapel, which was presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio, Alberto Vega Martín; the Bishop of Valparaíso and Grand Chancellor PUCV, Monsignor Jorge Vega Velasco SVD; the Bishop of San Felipe, Monsignor Gonzalo Bravo; the Vice Grand Chancellor, Father Cristian Eichin Molina, among various authorities from the public and private sector, universities and other organizations.
The ceremony, which also included the swearing-in of the new rector, was broadcast live on the various PUCV campuses and also through digital platforms via the University's YouTube channel.
New rector: “We have trained thousands of professionals who are building the progress of Chileans”
The new rector of PUCV, Dr. Nelson Vásquez, began his speech by thanking all those attending the ceremony and recalled that it is in the Hall of Honor where the most relevant moments of institutional life have taken place, where we are all called to be actors in the future destinies of the nation.
“Institutions, like nations, have history, symbols, collective imagination, rituals, and celebrations. Today is a memorable day for our University. The PUCV community gathers once again, with the presence of important guests, to experience a change of Rector, the result of a democratic process in which tenured professors participated,” he stated.
Vásquez noted that the world has changed in the last three decades. We have experienced periods of great transformation both in Chile and in the educational system, with positive effects in the school and university spheres, bringing new challenges and considerable expectations for young people and their families. “As a university, we have witnessed and participated in the greatest social transformation experienced by a Latin American country in the 20th century. We have trained thousands of professionals who are building the progress of Chileans. PUCV is a structural part of our lives and inspires our actions in society,” he added.
Rector Vásquez noted that the University will face great challenges. “To educate people at all levels and in all disciplines, to create scientific knowledge so that we may all live in a world with dignity, and to build a culture that embraces the beauty of human creation, illuminated by the hand of a merciful Jesus. What a great undertaking we have before us,” he added.
“I want to convey hope to all of you. Belonging to PUCV means a full and fulfilling life. I want to invite our entire community to build a university project at the service of the Magisterium of the Church, a project of excellence, and looking ahead to the Centenary, based on a shared, long-term strategic vision, in constant dialogue with our surroundings, and on a human scale. This invitation stems from one of PUCV's most cherished values: the value of dialogue. Through dialogue, communities discover and rediscover their identity,” he explained.
Thanksgiving Mass
On this occasion, Monsignor Vega reflected on how, through successive generations at universities, wisdom is passed down, ultimately becoming an inexhaustible resource. “Celebrations like this are a privileged moment to look back. We see the path this University has traveled in almost 100 years and discover how this alliance between God and humankind has not only allowed us to create this institution and maintain it for nearly a century, but also enabled many to achieve their goal of professional training during these years.”.
Monsignor Vega highlighted the career of Rector Claudio Elórtegui on behalf of the Diocese of Valparaíso. “I am grateful not only for his sacrifice in making it the institution it is today. A few weeks ago, we spoke about his time as Rector and discussed the image of the farmer. You told me that you had only reaped what others had sown. It is true, you had distinguished predecessors who prepared the land, others sowed the seeds, but we must recognize that a good farmer knows when the best time is to harvest. You knew when to harvest. The farmer also knows when to prepare the land for the next planting,” he reflected.
Rector Elórtegui highlighted teamwork
Outgoing Rector Claudio Elórtegui gave a brief summary of his 12 years at the helm of the University, highlighting the progress made in graduate education, the seven-year accreditation in various areas, the updated Educational Model, the distinctive approach offered in undergraduate and graduate programs, the increased retention of first-year students, and the improved graduation rates. PUCV has indeed achieved second place among universities in average years of accreditation for undergraduate programs and second place in the percentage of programs with six or seven years of accreditation.
In terms of infrastructure, the construction of 26 new buildings over the past 12 years stands out, with 22 academic units acquiring new facilities and eight improving the existing conditions of their premises. Furthermore, a greater presence in the capital was achieved with the construction of the Center for Advanced Studies and Extension (CEA).
“I want to acknowledge all those who have been part of the University's senior management team over these past 12 years for their effective and dedicated contributions, as well as the directors of the vice-rectorates and general directorates. Achieving our goals is always the result of teamwork, and this is no exception. Together, we faced many difficult moments and periods. You were a fundamental support in reaching the best possible solutions for the University,” he recalled.
The rector also thanked the academic community, who honored him three times with their support in the elections to choose him for the position, as well as the authorities of the Catholic Church hierarchy. “I leave treasuring the enormous outpouring of affection I received from the moment I announced I would not be running for reelection. This is what matters most to me,” he concluded.
The ceremony can check here.
*Information and photographs: General Directorate of Community Engagement PUCV
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