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The new rector was sworn in at a solemn ceremony held at the Angamos Campus, in the presence of the university community and special guests. An award was also presented to the outgoing rector, Dr. Luis Alberto Loyola.
The historic Horacio Meléndez Hall, the setting for the most important institutional events, once again hosted a ceremony of great importance for the University of Antofagasta, namely the assumption of Dr. Marcos Cikutovic Salas as rector of the UA for the period 2022-2026.
The new authority was accompanied by family, friends and part of his work team, as well as the university community and special guests, who followed with attention all the details of the solemn act, which also marked the end of a prosperous 16-year period under the rector Luis Alberto Loyola Morales.
And it was precisely with a recognition of the outgoing authority that Rector Cikutovic began his speech during the ceremony.
“I want to begin my first speech as rector by acknowledging Dr. Luis Loyola Morales, the outgoing rector and a distinguished academic who has been involved in the development of this institution for several decades, first as a branch of the University of Chile and then as the University of Antofagasta. This institution recognizes the significant progress made under his leadership during the four terms he served as rector of our university. My greetings and appreciation to you,” he said.
Dr. Cikutovic then outlined some of the key aspects of his administration, emphasizing the role of universities in the current situation in the country, where citizens not only demand improvements in various social areas but also face the economic and health consequences of the pandemic. All of this, he said, “constitutes a challenge for the university and an obligation from the perspective of teaching.”.
Later, the rector clarified that the UA, in particular, has an obligation to be a relevant actor, being the most important state university in northern Chile. Therefore, he affirmed, “we enthusiastically join this call from the region and the country, with the historical perspective of transforming these difficulties into an opportunity to generate new knowledge and continue growing.”.
At another point in his speech, Dr. Cikutovic stated that our region has characteristics that make it a fertile ground for sowing knowledge, teaching, academic collaboration and applied research, emphasizing that all of this must be aligned with the regional development and innovation strategy.
In the core of his speech, the incoming rector invited all members of the university community to continue working as they have done until now, with sacrifice, effort, loyalty, and responsibility. “I invite you to continue dreaming and building together, to continue on the path of continuous improvement, so that we may continue to propel our university into the 21st century,” he stated.
In closing his remarks, Rector Marcos Cikutovic thanked his family, his team, and the Faculty of Health Sciences, where he served as dean nine times, and set a new goal. “We have an enormous challenge ahead of us. It is inevitable that difficulties and unforeseen events will arise along the way, but I am certain that with your excellence, loyalty, and the work you do out of love for the institution and with a purpose greater than ourselves, we will be able to carry out this beautiful mission that the university has entrusted to us,” he stated.
Recognition
During the ceremony, the outgoing rector, Dr. Luis Alberto Loyola, highlighted his shared background with Dr. Cikutovic, as both were students at the former local branch of the University of Chile. He then reviewed the main achievements of his administration in the areas of management, organizational structure, teaching, community outreach, and research, emphasizing that these accomplishments were the result of collaborative work.
Following this, the university community presented an award to Luis Alberto Loyola for his 16 years of work as rector and his long career of 60 years at the University of Antofagasta and the former local branch of the University of Chile.
It should be noted that during the ceremony, the Secretary General of the UA, Macarena Silva Boggiano, read the pending Supreme Decree appointing Dr. Marcos Cikutovic Salas as Rector of the University of Antofagasta, effective Monday, August 22. This decree was subsequently presented by Dr. Loyola to his successor, in what was the most solemn moment of the ceremony, which was attended by the Minister of Mining, Marcela Hernando; the Regional Governor, Ricardo Díaz; the Presidential Delegate, Karen Behrens; the Rectors of the UCN and Santo Tomás, Rodrigo Alda and Exequiel Ramírez; and the Deputy Sebastián Videla, among others.
Deans
The appointment of Dr. Marcos Cikutovic Salas as rector was welcomed by the dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Claudio Ramos Ormeño. “I hope that this challenge entrusted to him by the university community will be an incentive to work towards substantial improvements and that our institution of higher learning will be recognized every day in the northern macro-region as a benchmark for change and continuous innovation,” the dean stated.
The Dean of the Faculty of Basic Sciences, Dr. Iván Brito Bobadilla, also wished the new rector success and offered him the full academic expertise of the faculty to contribute to the development and positioning of the institution.
“As academics who make up FACIBA, we firmly believe that the development of Basic Sciences is fundamental to promoting appropriate technology that is useful for improving the quality of life of the inhabitants of our territory, as well as generating knowledge that implies the creation of new sources of employment with a respectful view of our planet,” he explained.
Dr. Marcelo Cortés Carmona, dean of the Faculty of Engineering, joined in the greetings and expressed his wish that the management of the next four years “will bring harmonious and equitable development in all areas of the university's work.”.
For his part, the dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities, Dr. Alejandro Bustos, highlighted the institutional leadership of the outgoing rector, Luis Alberto Loyola, to whom he wished success in his new life projects.
“Likewise, we greet and welcome Professor Dr. Marcos Cikutovic Salas in his capacity as the new rector of this institution of higher learning, and we also wish him the best of success in his management and dedication as the highest authority of our university,” the academic stated.
Rector Marcos Cikutovic Salas is married to María del Pilar Molina and has two sons and a daughter. He earned his teaching degree in Biology and Science from the University of Chile and holds a PhD from the University of North Texas.
He has a long career within the University of Antofagasta, where he has held the positions of director of the Department of Biology, head of the Bachelor of Science in Biology program, academic representative to the Board of Directors, member of the Board of Directors of the Health Network Foundation-UA and UATSA, and dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, the latter position, for nine periods.
In addition, he is a member of international and national scientific societies such as the American Society of Ornithology; the Latin American Society of Anatomy and Morphology; the Chilean Society of Biology; the Chilean Society of Reproductive and Developmental Biology; the Chilean Society of Physiology; the Chilean Society of Gametology; and the Chilean Society of Imaging.
*Press release and images: Department of Communications – University of Antofagasta.
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