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In a historic day, the distinguished academic and researcher became the first woman to lead the institution for the period 2025-2029.
In an emotional and massive event, on Friday, March 7, the inauguration ceremony of Dr. María Cecilia Hernández Vera as the new rector of the University of Antofagasta took place in Antofagasta. Catholic University of the North (UCN), becoming the first woman to lead the university in its almost seven decades of history.
The approach and style that his government will have, along with the multiple challenges that the Institution faces in the current national and global scenario, were on this occasion the central focus of the message of the new authority, who will lead the destinies of the UCN for the period 2025-2029.
The event, led by the Archbishop of Antofagasta and Grand Chancellor of the UCN, Monsignor Ignacio Ducasse Medina, included the intervention of the Secretary General of the UCN, Dr. Fernando Orellana Torres, who read the document issued by the Congregation for Catholic Education of the Holy See, as well as the Decree of the Grand Chancellorship, through which the new rector is appointed to the position.
Subsequently, Dr. María Cecilia Hernández made her profession of faith before the Grand Chancellor, took the required oath upon assuming office, and made the respective signature.
Dr. Fernando Orellana also read the decree appointing the vice-rectors who will accompany the new rector in her administration starting on March 10, who were thus officially presented.
The ceremony for the new authority's inauguration was attended by various members of the University Community, as well as regional authorities and representatives from the public and private sectors; in addition to the participation of the president of the Episcopal Conference of Chile, the Archbishop of La Serena, Monsignor René Rebolledo; and rectors from various higher education institutions in the country.
As is traditional, before the inauguration ceremony, the Mass that precedes the official act took place, where the Grand Chancellor of the UCN, Monsignor Ignacio Ducasse, highlighted in his homily the significant event that marks the beginning of a new stage, in which the commitment to the educational and evangelizing mission of the University is reaffirmed.
Message from the Rector
Dr. María Cecilia Hernández expressed her deep honor at receiving the position and leading the team that will guide the UCN for the coming years. She added that her appointment reflects the will of the University Community, expressed through the mechanism established in the statutes for the election of institutional authorities. “I have no doubt that the UCN Community supports strengthening collaborative work to fulfill the great responsibility inherent in our mission, which includes training professionals, generating knowledge, and improving the quality of life for society, especially in the regions where we are an integral part,” she stated.
He added that UCN has a public role that requires it to train ethical and ethical professionals who promote and build a kinder and fairer society.
The official spoke about the role and progress of the UCN throughout its 68-year history, as well as her academic and professional life at the institution. She also called for maintaining unity and actively and continuously sharing diverse perspectives on work, while remaining true to the institutional mission, which, inspired by Christian Humanism, contributes to the holistic development of the individual, the preservation of cultural heritage, and the sustainable development of society in Northern Chile.
Dr. María Cecilia Hernández emphasized the key areas and challenges her university administration will face. Regarding management, she highlighted that “to begin this journey, we have the honest diagnosis and critical analysis of the Electoral College, which provides concrete guidelines to align with the current academic and financial reality.”.
In this context, he named the sustainability challenges that force us to be efficient and responsible with the use of resources, without compromising academic and scientific quality; as well as to seek sources of resources that are consistent with the Mission and Values of the UCN, guaranteeing the viability and capacity of the Institution to fulfill its educational and social objectives.
Similarly, he noted that in the short term the institution will face a new university accreditation process, and he reiterated that at UCN the culture of quality is lived beyond the technical exercise of meeting indicators, since it implies a responsibility to the University Community, students, communities, future generations and society.
In the area of Strengthening Teaching and Research, he highlighted the improvement of teaching quality, emphasizing the importance of a motivated student body, as well as the development of innovative, well-structured, and relevant undergraduate and graduate programs that address national needs and are linked both locally and internationally. In this regard, he stressed the need to strengthen the academic staff and academic productivity.
The rector also addressed the socio-strategic environment, highlighting a university committed to the development of knowledge and supported by an outstanding scientific community, dedicated and capable of working collaboratively through interdisciplinary connections. She mentioned the contributions that the UCN makes to the regional and national spheres in areas such as sustainable innovation in the mining industry; public policy evaluation; energy development; astronomy; health; oceanography; marine resource biology; archaeology and anthropology; the humanities; and social sciences, among others. “As the first female rector of the Catholic University of the North, I would like to thank God for the mission He has entrusted to me; the University Community for demonstrating their commitment to upholding the values that define us; my family for their unwavering support; and the Catholic Church for entrusting me with this position, which also coincides with a Jubilee Year in which Pope Francis invites us to find courage and strengthen the virtue of hope,” she concluded.
Rector Rodrigo Alda
Upon leaving office, the outgoing rector, Dr. Rodrigo Alda Varas, thanked everyone for the support he received during his time as university president, and emphasized the appointment of the first female rector of the UCN "as an institutional milestone that will go down in the history of the Catholic University of the North.".
Dr. Alda shared some ideas and reflections in four main areas. These included the milestones of the 2021-2025 period, the most relevant present and future challenges, acknowledgments to those who contributed to his leadership, and finally, congratulations to Dr. María Cecilia Hernández and her management team.
On that occasion, he listed some of the main achievements and progress made in the last four years. These included the challenge of returning to educational activity in a post-pandemic context; the six-year institutional accreditation in all areas, placing it among the country's universities of excellence; and the co-creation of the Institutional Strategic Development Plan for the period 2025-2034, among others.
At the end of his term, the outgoing rector first thanked God, the Grand Chancellor, Monsignor Ignacio Ducasse Medina; the team that accompanied him during these four years, especially his vice-rectors; the members of the University's Governing Council; the Council of Economic Affairs; and the staff of the various academic and administrative units. Finally, he concluded by thanking his family. "They are, without a doubt, an important pillar of support for carrying out the work of a rector.".
She concluded her remarks by offering her and her team's full support to actively collaborate in the successful installation of Dr. María Cecilia Hernández's new work equipment. "If you succeed, the University succeeds," she emphasized.
Text and photographs: UCN Communications
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