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The first plenary session of the CRUCH Research Commission was held in the Atacama region. The event, which took place at the University of Atacama, brought together representatives from the vice-rectorates and research departments of CRUCH universities, along with authorities from the Science, Technology, Knowledge, and Innovation system.
During May 7 and 8, 2026, the University of Atacama hosted the first ordinary plenary session of the year of the Research Commission of the Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities, CRUCH, an event that brought together representatives of vice-rectorates and research directorates of the institutions that make up this body, with the purpose of addressing the main challenges and projections of the national scientific system.
The event, held between the municipalities of Copiapó and Caldera, included the presentation of progress in the main areas of work of the Commission, as well as the analysis of management and articulations developed with relevant actors of the Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation system, CTCI.
Holding this plenary session at the University of Atacama highlights the importance of the regions in the development of science in Chile, as emphasized by the rector of the University of Atacama, Forlín Aguilera, who stressed that "the country's major challenges require more collaboration between universities and a scientific agenda built from the regions.".
“The University of Atacama is proud to welcome the CRUCH Research Commission to our institution, in a region with enormous potential for the country's scientific and technological development. Atacama is a unique natural laboratory, with strategic capabilities in areas such as mining, lithium and salt flats, astronomy, water resources, and climate change. Based on this reality, we have promoted research with territorial relevance and a public service commitment. Today, the University of Atacama not only conducts more research, but also conducts better research, connecting science with the needs of the region,” commented Rector Aguilera.
Meanwhile, Juan Yuz, Rector of the Federico Santa María Technical University and head of the CRUCH Research Commission, pointed out that it is important to consider that CRUCH universities support more than 80% of the research conducted in the country, along with the training of advanced human capital through their postgraduate programs. «Our role and responsibility to the country is to value the knowledge generated in laboratories and classrooms, advancing how it translates into innovation, technology transfer, and entrepreneurship. Today, the challenge also lies in strengthening the collaboration between universities, the government, and the productive sector, so that this knowledge can be transformed into concrete solutions that contribute to the well-being of society and the sustainable development of our regions,” he stated.
CTCI Articulation
Within the framework of a permanent link with actors of the CTCI system, which seeks to contribute to the construction of a research agenda that dialogues with the needs of the country and its territories, during the day authorities of the CTCI system participated, including the director of the National Research and Development Agency, ANID, Alejandra Pizarro, and the ministerial advisor CTCI, Alexis Sánchez, who provided a strategic view regarding the current challenges of the national scientific ecosystem and the importance of strengthening the articulation between its different actors.
In this context, ANID Director Alejandra Pizarro stated that “this working session was very productive. We were able to address concerns from the vice-rectorates, answer questions, and discuss issues related to strengthening research in Chile. This exchange is very important for the Agency because it allows us to continue the collaborative work we maintain with the vice-rectorates of the CRUCH.”.
In this regard, the president of the CRUCH Research Commission and vice-rector of Research and Postgraduate Studies at the University of Atacama, María José Gallardo, stated that “one of the main challenges is to continue strengthening research, innovation, postgraduate studies and technology transfer, especially in the current context, where it is essential to demonstrate with evidence and data the importance of knowledge generation and the training of advanced human capital for the development of the country and the regions.».
Part of the Commission's work also involves developing strategies for communicating this impact to the public and decision-makers. Along these lines, Gallardo commented that a study on the funding of the science, technology, innovation, and science (STI) sector will be launched in 2026, examining its impact not only on scientific productivity indicators but also on people's quality of life.
Text and photos: Communications University of Atacama
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