Investigation Commission
During the plenary session of the CRUCH Research Commission The Minister of CTCI, Aldo Valle, participated, referring to the main milestones of the portfolio and the budget projections for 2026.
The meeting, organized by USM and UPLA in Valparaíso, also addressed the accountability of ANID projects and Chile's role as an Antarctic hub., concluding with a seminar on scientific productivity and gender gaps.
The members of the Research Commission of the Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities (CRUCH) met on November 20 and 21 in Valparaíso to discuss the main challenges, projections and policies that guide national scientific development, a working session in which the Minister of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation (MinCiencia), Aldo Valle, and the national director of the National Research and Development Agency (ANID), Alejandra Pizarro, participated.
The meeting, organized by the Federico Santa María Technical University (USM) and the University of Playa Ancha (UPLA), was led by the rector of USM, Juan Yuz, in his capacity as head of the commission, who stated that “we are very pleased to welcome the vice-rectors and directors of research from CRUCH to our university. This type of meeting is fundamental to strengthening collaboration among the country's universities and moving towards a common vision, where scientific research is not only an engine for university education, but also for the development of Chile.”.
For his part, Minister Valle emphasized that “this is a very important forum for us as a Ministry, as it allows us to engage in dialogue with a significant portion of our country's research ecosystem. Here, very specific opinions are expressed regarding the various instruments we make available, which are essential to evaluate, improve, and refine so that they align with the realities of different universities.” He also addressed the Ministry's key achievements and the budget projections for 2026.
Meanwhile, María José Gallardo, president of the Research Commission and Vice-Rector of Research and Postgraduate Studies at the University of Atacama, appreciated the presence of the Minister of Science, Technology, Innovation and Communication (CTCI) and the willingness to continue the collaborative work between the Ministry of Science and the Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities (CRUCH). She also highlighted the work carried out by the university research representatives during 2025, especially the analysis of data on the scientific output of the CRUCH system.
ANID and INACH
During the first day of the plenary session, which took place at the USM Valparaíso Central Campus, strategic issues and new updates regarding the accountability of research projects funded by the National Research and Development Agency were addressed, with the presence of Alejandra Pizarro.
Furthermore, the work carried out by the Antarctic Natural Laboratory Node (INACH) was presented. This initiative, under the auspices of the Chilean Antarctic Institute, is a collaboration with the University of Magallanes, the Millennium Institute BASE, and the Austral University of Chile. Its objective is to transform Chile into a scientific, technological, and logistical hub in the Antarctic region by linking its scientific, technological, and innovation capabilities with the socioeconomic development of the surrounding regions, promoting international cooperation and knowledge exchange.
Scientific production and gender
The second day of the commission took place at the University of Playa Ancha (Traslaviña headquarters), where the president of the Research Commission, María José Gallardo, presented an account of the commission's work plan.
In addition, the Seminar on “Scientific Productivity in the CTCI Ecosystem” was held, which included the keynote address by Carolina Santelices, Vice-Rector of Research, Postgraduate Studies and Innovation at UPLA, entitled “Mapping the scientific production of CRUCH universities: visibility, impact and editorial concentration”; and the “Analysis of gender disparity using data from Google Scholar and OpenAlex”, presented by Miguel Guevara Albornoz, Director of DataScience Laboratory DatosLab.cl and academic at UPLA.
Text: María José Aragonés G., journalist USM (General Directorate of Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship)
Photos: Courtesy of USM
Edition: CRUCH Communications
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