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The former rector of the University of Talca was honored for his career and his contributions to the development of Chilean higher education.
The award, unique in this field and created by CRUCH in 2024, was granted by unanimous decision of the rectors.
The Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities (CRUCH) presented the “Recognition for Contribution to Higher Education 2026” award to the former rector of the University of Talca, Dr. Álvaro Rojas Marín, on Thursday, August 27, for his career linked to university transformation, academic innovation and the strengthening of Chilean higher education.
This award was established by CRUCH in 2024, on the occasion of its 70th anniversary, and is presented every two years. It is the only recognition of its kind in the field of higher education and seeks to highlight significant contributions to the system.
Among the factors that supported the election of Álvaro Rojas are his contribution to the development of a regional public institution, the early incorporation of institutional evaluation processes, the promotion of the transferable credit system and competency-based training, as well as his work in internationalization and university cooperation.
The ceremony took place at the University of Chile's main building, with a welcome address by Rector Alejandra Mizala. Following this, Undersecretary of Higher Education Fernanda Valdés spoke about the meaning and significance of the award.
“This recognition seeks to honor those who have strengthened the Chilean higher education system. An original idea that is never implemented transforms nothing; a high-ranking position without results to back it up, doesn't either. What the Council recognizes is the point where these dimensions converge and produce a verifiable change,” Valdés noted.
For his part, the executive vice president of CRUCH, rector of the University of Valparaíso, Osvaldo Corrales, referred to the award winner's career and his contributions.
“Our congratulations and our gratitude for having demonstrated that it is possible to create an excellent university from the regions; for having brought the experience of academia to public service and for always returning to the university; but, above all, for having made us dream of a higher education system with increasing levels of excellence,” Corrales noted.
Subsequently, Corrales and the alternate executive vice president of CRUCH, Marcela Momberg, presented the “Recognition of Contribution to Higher Education 2026” medal to Álvaro Rojas.
A trajectory linked to university transformation
Upon receiving the award, Álvaro Rojas highlighted the collective nature of university transformation processes and the role that leadership can play in them.
“I receive it with great satisfaction and humility. The work done by an entire community, and obviously with the leadership of some people, including myself, makes it possible to dream that our universities can be of high quality and that we can aspire to excellence, as long as we do things properly,” he stated.
Rojas also valued the contribution made by the University of Talca to the development of regional universities and recognized the role that CRUCH has played in its own trajectory and in the construction of public policies for higher education, particularly in areas such as financing and quality.
A veterinarian with a degree in Animal Science from the University of Chile and a doctorate in Agricultural Sciences from the Technical University of Munich, Álvaro Rojas served as rector of the University of Talca from 1991 to 2006 and again from 2010 to 2022, completing 27 years at the helm of the institution. During this period, he promoted a management style focused on strategic planning, quality assurance, and strengthening the university's connection with its community.
In 2000, he spearheaded the University of Talca's voluntary participation in an institutional evaluation process by the Council of European Rectors, a pioneering experience in Chile and Latin America. His work also encompassed the implementation of the transferable credit system and competency-based education, as well as university cooperation and internationalization initiatives.
He is currently the executive director of the Inter-University Center for Development (CINDA), where he continues to be involved in higher education and cooperation between Ibero-American universities.
Selection process
During the ceremony, the general secretary of CRUCH, Angélica Bosch, explained that in this second edition four admissible applications were received, whose backgrounds were evaluated by a Competition Committee.
The evaluation considered four criteria with equal weight: originality and innovation, impact, track record, and leadership in the higher education system. After the Committee's deliberation, a shortlist of three candidates was presented to the rectors of the Council, who unanimously selected Álvaro Rojas.
“His career and contribution to the development of higher education clearly and consistently demonstrate the attributes that this recognition seeks to distinguish,” Bosch noted.
Text: CRUCH Communications
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