News
The rector of the Federico Santa María Technical University participated in the first day of the Technical Mission on Governance in Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation (CTCI) Uruguay–Chile 2026.
During the day, the role of universities in the development of scientific research and the challenges related to its funding were discussed.
This Tuesday, September 22, at the former National Congress building in Santiago, the session “Governance and CTCI institutionality” was held, corresponding to the first day of the Technical Mission on Governance in Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation (CTCI) Uruguay–Chile 2026.
The activity, organized by the National Council of CTCI together with the Uruguay Innova Program and supported by the Chilean Agency for International Cooperation for Development (AGCID) and the Uruguayan Agency for International Cooperation (AUCI), had representatives from the public and private sectors linked to the science, technology, knowledge and innovation ecosystem.
The rector of the Federico Santa María Technical University, Juan Yuz, participated representing the G9 Network of Non-State Public Universities and the Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities (CRUCH).
During the session, the foundations, strengths, and challenges of the Chilean institutional model were addressed, considering the development of the STI (Science, Technology, Knowledge, and Innovation) policy and the subsequent creation of the Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge, and Innovation. In this context, Rector Yuz emphasized the importance of incorporating these types of spaces into the university system.
“It is very important that we have been invited as G9 and also as CRUCH to participate in this instance from the CTCI Council to review the history of the institutionality and governance of the system (...), to value what we have and also to reflect on the gaps and objectives not achieved,” he said.
He also highlighted the opportunity to exchange experiences with the Uruguayan delegation and to learn about models developed in Latin American countries with realities similar to Chile's.
Funding for scientific research
In addition to the analysis of the institutional framework, the intervention of Rector Yuz —who also heads the research commissions of CRUCH and the G9 Network— addressed the financing of science, technology, knowledge and innovation and the role that universities play in the development of research in the country.
The university authority pointed out that a significant part of scientific research in Chile is carried out in universities and highlighted the participation of institutions belonging to CRUCH and the G9 Network in this matter.
“We have a fundamental concern in the country regarding the financing of science, technology, knowledge, and innovation, which has historically been largely carried out by universities (…). We must ensure that this is sustained in the medium and long term,” Rector Yuz stated.
Along these lines, he addressed the challenges related to the structural funding of research and the expectations surrounding the Research Fund for Universities. He also emphasized the importance of maintaining an ongoing dialogue with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation to advance funding mechanisms that complement the resources managed by the institutions themselves.
Spanish 
English