Higher Education System

The Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities (CRUCH) has participated in the analysis and debate of issues relevant to the Higher Education System in various forums. As an interlocutor in parliamentary discussions, it has maintained an ongoing dialogue with the Ministry of Education—through the Undersecretariat of Higher Education—on topics such as academic modernization, mental health, quality, funding, and the National Qualifications Framework, among others. Furthermore, the CRUCH has been called upon to formulate proposals, as in the context of the process that led to Law 21.091 on Higher Education.

CRUCH Institutional Framework

In its ongoing evolution, and in keeping with the times, the Council has adapted its operations to respond to the changes and challenges facing society. Recently, one of the most significant milestones was the change of name to incorporate gender-inclusive designation. Thus, on January 12, 2023, the name “Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities” was unanimously approved.

Gender Equality

For several years, the CRUCH universities have promoted concrete actions for gender equality and, more recently, have achieved significant progress with the implementation of Law 21.369 (2021) and Law 21.643 (2024), which are framed within the ratification by the State of Chile of the Belém do Pará Convention (1998), the “Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women” (2020), as well as the “Convention on Violence and Harassment” of the International Labour Organization (2019).

University Life and Mental Health

With the return to in-person learning after the pandemic, universities observed an increase in mental health problems among members of their communities. In this context, the CRUCH (Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities) created a specialized body to properly analyze the situation and develop appropriate action plans.

Strengthening Pedagogies

Teacher training, access to pedagogy degrees, and the shortage of teachers to meet the educational needs of the school system in the different regions of the country have been the focus of analysis for the rectors of CRUCH in recent times.

The CRUCH has a strong commitment to the training of teachers and, for this reason, for almost two years, it worked on the report "Teaching Changes Lives" (see here), which it delivered to the Minister of Education in March 2024.

Pandemic and Social Processes

The Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities (CRUCH) and its member universities have responded promptly to the social needs of the last decade. One of the most significant examples was the contribution of the Council's 30 universities to the country during the severe health and economic crisis caused by COVID-19: they maintained undergraduate and graduate teaching, ensuring the continuity of education for more than 380,000 students; and they collaborated through their research centers, with their professionals and experts, laboratories, and production of supplies, in support of protecting people. The Constitutional Process also called upon the CRUCH and its member universities.

Science and Research

In its role as a support agent for public policy, the CRUCH (Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities) has strengthened its collaboration with the institutions of Science, Technology, Knowledge, and Innovation over the past decade. The Council has been consulted on the regulations for the Structural Fund for R&D&I in universities, has contributed its perspective on sustainable productive development, and has provided an analysis of the financing system and participated in discussions on the Ministry's strategic definitions.

Regarding international engagement, CRUCH has participated in initiatives such as the European Union's Horizon Programme. Similarly, it is involved in strategic vision projects, such as a proposed 50-year national project, in conjunction with the Congreso Futuro (Future Congress) and the Fundación Encuentros del Futuro (Future Encounters Foundation). At the regional level, it has worked on exchanging research management experiences, focusing on the needs of the different regions.

Undergraduate and Postgraduate Training

The CRUCH has committed to significant national innovations, such as the Transferable Credit System (STC), new criteria and standards for undergraduate and graduate accreditation, quality assurance, and the admissions system. Similarly, major challenges have focused on student diversity and support, equity strategies, access, retention, and academic success.

The various versions of the National Student Engagement Survey (ENCE), in which CRUCH collaborates, have provided substantial information to understand changes in patterns of time use, the educational experience during the pandemic and aspects of academic life and the learning process.

University Admission

Although the Council had technical bodies on admissions matters at different times, in 2013 it decided to create the Single Admission System (SUA), a specialized technical body whose objective was to oversee the development and management of the university selection and admission system; which was in effect until 2020.

Currently, CRUCH participates in the Access System of the Ministry of Education, through the rectors and rectors who represent it.

Internationalization

The Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities (CRUCH) has made the internationalization of higher education a key focus of its mission. The Council has promoted various initiatives to foster international academic collaboration and establish bilateral relationships with foreign universities and institutions. These actions aim to strengthen student and faculty mobility, promote applied research, and facilitate academic and scientific exchange through agreements, participation in seminars and conferences, and improvements to migration processes.