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The signing of a joint declaration marked the end of two days of dialogue between university authorities from Chile and Spain, who met on October 19 and 20 at the University of La Laguna, Tenerife, to address common challenges in higher education.
The document establishes a collaborative agenda in training, research, academic mobility and artificial intelligence, among other areas, and includes monitoring mechanisms to evaluate its progress.
The Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities (CRUCH) and the Conference of Rectors of Spanish Universities (CRUE) signed a joint declaration establishing 11 commitments to deepen academic and scientific cooperation between both countries, with the purpose of strengthening the contribution of universities to the development of their societies and the Ibero-American knowledge space.
The document, entitled “A university alliance at the service of the people and of Ibero-America”, It was signed on October 20 by the executive vice president of CRUCH and rector of the University of Valparaíso, Osvaldo Corrales, and the president of CRUE and rector of the University of Castilla-La Mancha, Julián Garde, during the closing of the II Meeting of Rectors and Rectors Spain-Chile, held at the University of La Laguna, Tenerife.
The declaration was read by the executive vice president of CRUCH, Osvaldo Corrales, and the rector of the University of León, Nuria González, in a ceremony that also included the participation of the alternate executive vice president of CRUCH and rector of the Catholic University of Temuco, Marcela Momberg, and the rector of the host university, Francisco Javier García.
Organized jointly by CRUCH and CRUE, the meeting brought together representatives from 16 Chilean universities and Spanish university authorities. Over the two days, sessions and working groups were held on curriculum transformation, research, innovation, knowledge transfer, and artificial intelligence, within the framework of Campus America 2026, which featured Chile as the guest country.
Commitments for long-term cooperation
Among the agreements, the continuation of the alliance between CRUCH and CRUE stands out, as well as the promotion of joint research and innovation initiatives, and the promotion of training models that respond to social and labor transformations, with an emphasis on quality and lifelong learning.
The universities also committed to advancing mechanisms for academic recognition and inclusive mobility, as well as sharing experiences to incorporate artificial intelligence in teaching, research and management, safeguarding academic integrity and the rights of individuals.
Another commitment involves building a joint agenda to address challenges such as climate change, the energy transition, health, and the digital transition. The document also highlights university autonomy, open science, and the need to incorporate criteria of equity, inclusion, and territorial diversity into internationalization initiatives.
To ensure the continuity of these agreements, both organizations committed to establishing an implementation agenda with priorities, responsible parties, and periodic monitoring mechanisms to evaluate the results of the cooperation.
In reading the joint declaration, the executive vice president of CRUCH, Osvaldo Corrales, highlighted the value of collaboration between the institutions of both countries and their contribution to the development of societies.
“We are united by a shared academic and cultural history, but also by a conviction for the future: cooperation between our universities can expand opportunities, strengthen our societies and contribute to a more open, integrated Ibero-American knowledge space capable of responding to the great challenges of our time,” he said.
The declaration concludes by reaffirming the willingness of Chilean and Spanish universities to cooperate, share capabilities and build common responses to global challenges.
The document continues the alliance that began with the first bilateral meeting, held in Santiago in April 2025. The next edition will be held in Chile in 2028.
Text: CRUCH Communications
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Photographs: Courtesy of CRUE
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