The CRUCH Research Committee elected a new board for the next two years

At the session held at the University of Concepción, the Vice-Rectors of Research from the universities of the Council of Rectors elected the new board for the next two years. The board is composed of Pedro Bouchon (PUC) as president, María Soledad Torres (UV) as vice-president, and Enrique Aliste (UChile) as secretary. Representatives were also elected for each of the macro-regions.

The Minister of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation, Dr. Silvia Díaz Acosta, participated in the session and emphasized the need to raise awareness of universities' work in research and development. She also outlined the ministry's guidelines, which focus on the paradigm shift from a resource-based economy to a knowledge-based economy.

(Note and photographs courtesy of the VRID Team of the University of Concepción)

This Thursday, November 24, the University of Concepción hosted a new ordinary session, in hybrid mode, of the Research and Development Commission of the Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities, CRUCH, an instance that for two years was chaired by the Vice-Rector of R&D of the UdeC, Dr. Andrea Rodríguez Tastets.

The event, held in the Blue Room of the UdeC Central Library 'Luis David Cruz Ocampo', began with a welcome address by Dr. Rodríguez and a brief summary of the actions taken during her two years leading the commission. ‘This is the first in-person meeting we've been able to hold since the pandemic, and it's important because it allows us to review the actions we've taken during my time as chair of this commission, as well as identify the pending tasks we still need to address,’ Dr. Rodríguez explained.

The meeting continued with an analysis of the true costs of research in Chile, presented by the Vice-Rector of Research at the Pontifical Catholic University, Dr. Pedro Bouchon Aguirre. In his presentation, he explained that indirect costs associated with research and development are given very little consideration in Chile. Therefore, he considered it vital to identify these costs, related to quality infrastructure, adequate technical personnel, a secure environment, IT administrative support, and other elements necessary to conduct research effectively. “We need to have the necessary infrastructure in place at universities to support our researchers, and for that, funding is essential,” commented Dr. Rodríguez.

This is a cross-cutting issue that requires dialogue because it doesn't affect just one institution. "If we want to move forward in having robust institutions that conduct cutting-edge, globally competitive research, and that allow us to implement an appropriate system for hiring people, thus improving the precarious working conditions of many, it is essential to raise awareness at the national level that allows us to give this issue the priority it deserves," emphasized the UC official.

New directive

The activities continued with the remote participation of the Minister of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation, Dr. Silvia Díaz Acosta, who emphasized the need to raise awareness of universities' work in research and development. She also presented the ministry's guidelines, focusing on the paradigm shift from a resource-based economy to a knowledge-based economy.

Finally, the election of the Commission's new board of directors took place. This board, which will serve for the next two years, is composed of Pedro Bouchon (Pontifical Catholic University of Chile) as president, María Soledad Torres (University of Valparaíso) as vice president, and Enrique Aliste (University of Chile) as secretary. The following individuals were elected to represent the different macro-regions: Rodrigo Iturriaga (University of Antofagasta) for the northern region, Ximena Besoain (Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso) for the central region, Cristian Rojas (University of Talca) for the south-central region, Mylthon Jimenez (Austral University of Chile) for the southern region, and Gerard Olivar (University of Aysén) for the southern region.

The delegation's agenda concluded with a visit to the zero waste – zero emission copper processing pilot plant located on campus, a project headed by Dr. Igor Wilkomirsky Fuica.