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In the session held this Thursday, January 12, at the University of Tarapacá, in Arica, university authorities approved the modification that marks a milestone in the history of CRUCH, created in 1954.
The CRUCH will hold a Strategic Management Workshop this Thursday and Friday to work on the fundamental strategic definitions for the period 2023-2026.
For the first time in the 68-year history of the Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities (CRUCH), a name change was unanimously approved, which will now allow the incorporation of gender-specific designations.
The new name will be Council of Rectors and Rectors of Chilean Universities, maintaining the CRUCH brand, according to the agreement adopted this Thursday, January 12, in session No. 640, held in Arica, at the University of Tarapacá (UTA).
The Vice President of CRUCH and Rector of UTA, Emilio Rodríguez, highlighted the signal the Council is sending to Chilean higher education. “Today, unanimously, all the rectors of the Council have decided on a name change, which means we will now be called the Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities. We believe this is an important step. Symbolically, from today we are making visible something very significant and relevant: that female rectors have joined the Council and are taking on a leading role within our universities,” he stated.
Rodríguez added that “making this reality visible seems highly important to us, since it also aligns with a series of policies, suggestions from international and national organizations, and the policies being developed in the country.”.
The rector of the University of Aysén, Natacha Pino, stated that “the current Council is taking responsibility for what has been happening in the country in recent years, but also in accordance with Chile’s international commitments to various organizations to increasingly highlight the role that women play in society.” She added that, beyond the name, it is the signal being sent that signifies that all the female rectors who have reached this position are visible.”.
Meanwhile, Marisol Durán, from the Metropolitan Technological University, emphasized that “the decision made today by the full Council is truly a historic milestone that addresses the new times and the new challenges facing not only higher education institutions, but society as a whole, and therefore we value it enormously.”.
Elisa Araya, rector of the Metropolitan University of Educational Sciences, pointed out that “this inclusion of the feminine form, when speaking of female and male rectors, in the CRUCH (Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities), implies the recognition of the role of women and opens doors for women in different areas, stating that leadership, decision-making, and management positions are also for them, because they have the capabilities. It is a debt paid to incorporate this gender perspective and work to support the development of women, not only in universities but also in other areas of society.”.
Meanwhile, Rector Luperfina Rojas of the University of La Serena noted that “as a woman and as an academic, I believe this is a very important step, because it allows us to highlight the great work that women do in different areas. The CRUCH (Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities) has five female rectors, and I hope this is the beginning of many more women aspiring to positions at this level.”.
For her part, the rector of the University of Chile, Rosa Devés, stated that “we are highlighting that higher education is made possible by both men and women, who have worked throughout their lives and contributed to the system; that there are educators, that there are researchers, and that today they also lead universities. It honors a reality that exists, because there are five of us women, and the CRUCH (Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities) shares this reality with girls, young women, academics, and students throughout society.”.
In this regard, the Undersecretary of Higher Education, Verónica Figueroa, stated that “we appreciate the reflection on how to give visibility, in the name of an institution with such a long history and tradition, to the growing number of female university presidents in the country. Our government is committed to advancing comprehensive gender policies. This is an important step, but it also undoubtedly encourages us to continue making progress on structural issues, addressing the root causes of gender inequalities, so that women can occupy decision-making positions and lead educational institutions or projects that have such a significant impact on the future of the country.”.
The CRUCH name change will be implemented in two stages. The first stage involves administrative changes, including updating the name on graphic materials, drafting internal communications, and registering the "Council of Rectors" trademark as the Council's property. These changes, which do not require legal procedures, were approved by the full Council. The second stage will focus on the legal aspects of the change, which require a legislative initiative and will be analyzed in greater detail.
Presentation by the Minister of Science
During the session, the Minister of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation, Silvia Díaz Acosta, spoke remotely, highlighting the importance of universities' role in generating knowledge in the country and contributing to its sustainable and inclusive development. Science is fundamentally driven by universities, so "it is necessary to strengthen this relationship and provide the necessary conditions to build together the country we need," the minister affirmed.
New CRUCH guidelines
On the other hand, this Thursday afternoon and Friday morning, the rectors will work on the fundamental strategic definitions of CRUCH for the 2023-2026 period. To this end, the mission will be designed and the strategic purposes defined, along with the development of a diagnosis and the strategic axes.
Subsequently, a process of systematization and analysis will be carried out, and a document will be prepared, which must be approved by the plenary session, probably in April.
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