News
The CRUCH will grant this recognition to the former President for her contributions to development and equity in Higher Education, such as the Free Tuition policy and the Higher Education Access Program (PACE).
Next Monday, August 19, a ceremony will be held at the University of Chile's main building, where the Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities (CRUCH) will commemorate its 70th anniversary with the communities of its 30 member universities, as well as key stakeholders in higher education and representatives of the diplomatic corps, among others. Learn more about CRUCH at: https://consejoderectores.cl/cruch-70-anos/
This unprecedented recognition was established in May of this year with the purpose of honoring the legacy of the Council since its creation in 1954 and will be awarded every two years to an individual who has stood out for contributing to the Chilean Higher Education System.
«This recognition from CRUCH (Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities) takes place within the context of our organization’s seventieth anniversary. We sought to make an open call for nominations, with the participation of university presidents in the pre-selection process, and with a final decision by the full council. Within this framework, Dr. Michelle Bachelet Jeria has been chosen for this first recognition, for her significant contributions, innovations, and leadership in the design and implementation of public policies in the field of higher education,» stated Emilio Rodríguez, Executive Vice President of the Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities and Rector of the University of Tarapacá.
The award will be presented next Monday, August 19, as part of the “Commemorative Session of the 70th Anniversary of CRUCH”, which will take place at the Central House of the University of Chile.
The CRUCH was created by law on August 14, 1954 and, during its seven decades of history, has contributed to the development and strengthening of Higher Education.
Currently, the Council comprises the rectors of 30 universities, including some of the highest-ranking institutions in the country. These institutions represent a wide range of intellectual and cultural traditions and make significant contributions to the territorial development of the regions, from Arica and Parinacota to Magallanes. Learn more about CRUCH HERE.
First version of the CRUCH recognition
The process to award the “Recognition for Contribution to Higher Education” began on June 16, with the publication of the call for applications in a nationally circulated media outlet, and between June 18 and July 19, the background information was received.
The development of the stages of the process was carried out in accordance with the provisions of the rules and by mandate of the CRUCH plenary was in charge of a Competition Committee made up of seven rectors: Carlos Saavedra, from the University of Concepción (coordinator); Ignacio Sánchez, from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile; Luperfina Rojas, from the University of La Serena; Rodrigo Vidal, from the University of Santiago of Chile; Forlín Aguilera, from the University of Atacama; Cristián del Campo, from the Alberto Hurtado University; and Claudio Rojas, from the Catholic University of Maule.
This committee, with the support of the CRUCH General Secretariat, analyzed the background information of the nine applications received and, according to the selection criteria, chose a shortlist of three candidates, which was presented at an extraordinary plenary session of the Council on Monday, August 12. After a participatory process, the award was granted as a result of a vote by the university rectors.
Michelle Bachelet, the first award winner
Michelle Bachelet Jeria, the first woman to be elected President of Chile for two terms (2006-2010 and 2014-2018), promoted a series of reforms that significantly transformed the Higher Education System in Chile, which have endured in successive governments.
His commitment to and recognition of higher education was reflected in structural reforms during his second term. Among the most notable achievements were the implementation of the free tuition policy for low-income students, enabling thousands of young people to finance their studies. Also noteworthy was the Higher Education Access Program (PACE), which offers admission opportunities and support to students from vulnerable public high schools. Furthermore, two new state universities, O'Higgins and Aysén, and 13 Technical Training Centers were created, expanding educational opportunities and promoting regional development.
Text and image: CRUCH Communications.
Spanish 
English