The Internationalization Commission is making progress in finalizing its study and coordination with other CRUCH commissions.

The main objective of the session was to further analyze and project the results of the study on the internationalization processes of CRUCH universities—conducted during 2024—in order to subsequently present it to the CRUCH Executive Committee. In addition, the panel “Public Policies, Gaps, and Internationalization Indicators: What Paths to a Common Strategy for CRUCH Universities?” was held, with the participation of members of the CRUCH committees on Community Engagement, Research, and Quality.

On October 2nd and 3rd, the plenary meeting of the Internationalization Commission of the Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities (CRUCH) was held at the University of Playa Ancha (UPLA), Valparaíso, an event that brought together representatives from 23 educational institutions, in both face-to-face and online formats.

The session was opened by the rector of UPLA, Carlos González; the president of the commission and director of International Relations of the University of Santiago de Chile, René Garrido; and the vice president and General Director of International Relations, Felip Gascón.

The main objective of the session was to advance in the analysis and projections of the results of the study on the internationalization processes of the CRUCH universities - which was carried out during 2024 - in order to subsequently present it to the CRUCH Executive Committee and the plenary, with a view to its publication.

René Garrido, president of the CRUCH Internationalization Commission Y Director of International Relations at the University of Santiago, Chile, He noted that “we are working hard on how the CRUCH universities as a whole view internationalization and, based on that, presenting strategic spaces for collaboration; and also on recognizing our differences and our similarities. I believe we all have to learn from each other, from everything we do, and these spaces serve that purpose.”.

For his part, the Director General of International Relations, Felip Gascón, who is also Vice-President of the Commission Internationalization of CRUCH, He explained that “on this occasion we are focusing on the analysis and projections of the results of the study on the internationalization processes of the CRUCH universities, with the purpose of strengthening internal capacities and collaboration between our institutions, and influencing the formulation of more effective public policies for the comprehensive development of their internationalization.».

The results of the “Internationalization Study of CRUCH Universities” have been worked on by the Subcommittee on Internationalization Studies. Some aspects of it have already been presented as a paper at an internationalization seminar in Uruguay, by Mariana González from UChile, as will also be at the next Congress of the Americas on International Education (CAEI) in San José, Costa Rica, “Indicators and policies for inclusive internationalization: The case of Chilean CRUCH universities from a South-South perspective”, in which René Garrido and Tomás Barros from USACH, along with Felip Gascón from UPLA, will participate.

CRUCH Intercommittee Panel

Another highlight of the plenary session was the panel “Public Policies, Gaps and Internationalization Indicators: What paths to take for a common strategy in CRUCH universities?”, in which directors of the CRUCH commissions of Community Engagement, Research and Quality participated: Ximena Gauché, Vice-Rector of Community Engagement of the University of Concepción; María José Gallardo, Vice-Rector of Research of the University of Atacama; and Marcelo Nöel, Director of Institutional Development and Quality Assurance of the University of Santiago de Chile.

Regarding the strategic nature of internationalization and the need to agree on the relevance of certain dimensions in relation to progress indicators, Nöel stated that “the CRUCH quality network is directly linked to the internationalization network, since there are guidelines from the CNA that point towards this area, especially in the offering of postgraduate programs, as these must show substantial evidence of international collaboration /…/ In this meeting we were able to identify some challenges related to metrics and KPI indicators (Key Performance Indicator); we have been able to agree that the indicators must be very well monitored, with comparable, clear, and broadly covered metrics that demonstrate substantial evidence when showing progress towards the CNA.”.

See UPLA news: https://www.upla.cl/noticias/2025/10/09/comision-de-internacionalizacion-del-cruch-se-reunio-en-la-upla/

Text and photograph: Courtesy of UPLA Communications (edited by CRUCH Communications)