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The initiative, led in conjunction with the Undersecretariat for Children, seeks to formally recognize the active participation of young people in the Children and Adolescents' Advisory Councils (CCNNA) throughout the country. It will be implemented starting with the 2027 Admissions Process.
Regarding the Higher Education Financing (FES) project, Undersecretary Víctor Orellana valued the participation of CRUCH, highlighting that its technical contributions have been fundamental to perfecting the initiative and moving towards a broad consensus.
This morning the Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities (CRUCH) approved the creation of a new special admission pathway entitled "Youth Participation and Leadership Quota", which will be implemented in collaboration with the Undersecretariat for Children of the Ministry of Social Development starting with the 2027 Admission Process.
This initiative is aimed at young people who have been actively involved in the Children and Adolescents' Advisory Councils (CCNNA) for at least one year, between their second and fourth years of high school. The main objective is to provide institutional continuity to the leadership and public service trajectories developed in these community, regional, and national participation spaces, integrating them as a relevant qualification for university admission.
«As a Council, we reaffirm our mission to contribute to the development of a democratic and responsible citizenry. This agreement not only recognizes the talent and dedication to service of our young people, but also allows us to strengthen the link between academia and the territorial realities of Chile, promoting more diverse university communities committed to their environment,» highlighted Emilio Rodríguez Ponce, Executive Vice President of CRUCH, during the plenary session this Thursday, January 8, at the University of Tarapacá in Arica.
Meanwhile, Fernanda Kri, Rector of the University of O'Higgins and head of the CRUCH's Academic Vice-Rectors Commission—who coordinated the work with the Undersecretariat for Children—pointed out that “what interests us as universities within the Council of Rectors is seeking out diverse talents. Thus, with this quota for youth participation and leadership, we are opening up opportunities for those students who, during secondary school, have participated in municipal, regional, and national councils and have demonstrated a commitment to participation, leadership, and democracy.” She emphasized that “this is a talent that is impossible to identify through traditional admissions mechanisms, and that is its importance (...). What we hope is that these young people can pursue a career that fosters participation and leadership within our institutions.”.
Regarding the implementation process, Rector Kri noted that during this year 2026 “we have to make all the specific agreements, define the instruments, and go to the Technical Access Committee for its approval, and by 2027 we would have the first admissions through this quota.”.
Commitment to diversity and territory
The proposal stands out for its focus on decentralization and inclusion. According to data presented at the plenary session, the CCNNA program has more than 2,000 participants in almost every municipality in the country, with a majority of students from public schools.
The framework agreement establishes a technical committee that will design the process for implementing, evaluating, and monitoring the initiative. Universities that choose to participate will be able to define the available places and programs of study annually.
To apply, students must meet the general requirements of the Access System and submit an official certificate issued by the Undersecretariat for Children, attesting to their active participation in the CCNNA (Children's and Adolescents' Centers). Universities, for their part, will have the autonomy to apply supplementary evaluation instruments if they deem it necessary.
CRUCH's participation report on the FES project
During the plenary session, the authorities also referred to the work of CRUCH during the discussion of the Public Financing Instrument for Higher Education (FES).
In this regard, Rector Emilio Rodríguez emphasized the nature of the Council's contribution. "Our participation is technical; we are a technical advisory body, and that is tremendously important because what we have done is generate guidelines and proposals, assuming that role," he explained. Rodríguez was emphatic in pointing out that, for the transition from the current system to be viable, the new mechanism "requires significant improvements, and we have outlined what those improvements are.".
For his part, the Undersecretary of Higher Education, Víctor Orellana, highlighted the Council's institutional relevance in the development of public policy. "We have been working continuously, establishing a foundation for collaborative work, and today we are working on the modifications that the FES project needs to undergo in order to reach a broad agreement," he stated. Orellana added that, during the last few sessions, the Council has played a fundamental role in "refining the political and technical boundaries of what we believe this consensus should be.".
The session also included an evaluation of the "Sumo Primero National Strategy," a teacher support program that, through collaboration with CRUCH universities, aims to transform mathematics teaching at the primary and secondary levels. In addition, the progress of doctoral programs with a professional focus was analyzed. These programs are designed to develop advanced human capital to lead innovation processes in the public and private sectors, with the goal of solving complex national problems, increasing productivity, and bridging the gap between academia and the labor market.
Text: CRUCH Communications
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