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Rector Forlin Aguilera obtained 251.25 weighted votes, equivalent to 88% of the valid votes cast, a result that will allow him to lead the University of Atacama for a new four-year period and that reflects the broad support of the academic community for the institutional project he has led during the last four years.
The election, held on July 29 at the Central Library of the University of Atacama, was conducted in accordance with the new university statutes, reaffirming the commitment of the academic community to democratic, participatory and transparent governance.
The academic community of the University of Atacama re-elected Rector Forlin Aguilera Olivares to lead the institution during the period 2026-2030, after the election day held between 09:00 and 17:30 hours in the Central Library.
From the early hours of the morning, faculty members cast their votes in a process organized by the Electoral Committee and the Polling Station, in accordance with the General Election Regulations. The day also included the participation of faculty members from the Vallenar campus, who traveled to Copiapó to exercise their right to vote, reaffirming the commitment of the entire university community to this democratic process.
From a register of 351 academics eligible to vote, the count was carried out on a total of 325 weighted votes, according to the contractual work schedule of each member of the academic body.
Rector Forlin Aguilera obtained 251.25 weighted votes, equivalent to 88% of the valid votes cast, a result that will allow him to lead the University of Atacama for a new four-year period and that reflects the broad support of the academic community for the institutional project he has led during the last four years.
The election was also marked by high participation: 88% of the academic register validly cast their vote, reflecting the commitment of the university community to this democratic process.
Continuity of an institutional project
The re-election gives continuity to a government project that, between 2022 and 2026, achieved important advances for the University of Atacama, including institutional accreditation for five years under the new criteria of the National Accreditation Commission, the awarding of the Research Fund for Universities (FIUT), the strengthening of research and postgraduate studies, the growth of scientific productivity, the development of new infrastructure, the expansion of the academic offer, responsible financial management and governance based on dialogue and participation.
For the period 2026-2030, the government program proposes to consolidate these advances, strengthening the training and comprehensive support of students, research, innovation and postgraduate studies with a territorial focus, community engagement, modern management and the positioning of the University of Atacama as a state university of excellence and at the service of the sustainable development of the Atacama Region and the country.
«I want to sincerely thank the academics who participated in this election process. I receive this support with humility and a deep sense of responsibility. More than support for an individual, this result reflects confidence in a project we have built collectively. We renew our commitment to continue strengthening a participatory, excellent University of Atacama, deeply committed to the development of our region,» stated the re-elected Rector, Forlin Aguilera Olivares.
Next steps
Once the count is completed, the process will continue with the official publication of the results by the Electoral Committee, the period for the presentation and resolution of any claims and, subsequently, the official proclamation of the elected rector, thus formally concluding the election process for the 2026-2030 period.
Text and photographs: Communications Department, University of Atacama
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