This initiative seeks to bring reading lovers, and those not so much, closer to books from the Universidad de La Serena Publishing House, sharing knowledge with the community.

Faced with the health crisis caused by COVID-19 in our country, many have had to stay at home, either due to mandatory or preventive confinement, teleworking and telestudying. That is why the ULS, in its desire to provide knowledge on different topics, has carried out communication campaigns that bring useful and relevant knowledge to people's lives.

The new campaign comes from the University Publishing House, which released various books for free.

“We are doing this campaign as a small literary contribution that helps enrich 'the mental landscape' in our communities, in the midst of this pandemic and confinement that has affected our senses, spirits and thoughts. Reading stories allows us to make an entertaining parenthesis in our usual tasks, taking us to imaginary worlds, listening to the words of another, which relieve and oxygenate our mental state," said the manager of the ULS Editorial, Alejandro Abufón.

Likewise, he also emphasized that “with quiet reading, without noise, a very beneficial effect is produced: levels of brain stimulation and, with it, anxiety levels are lowered. Pausing and reading for a while turns out to be very therapeutic these days.”

The campaign begins this Tuesday, July 13 and consists of 8 deliveries, through official social networks of the University of La Serena, and via email to its community @userena.cl. A new book will be released every Tuesday and Thursday, for 4 weeks.

In addition, the downloadable books will be accessible on the ULS Publishing website and also on userena.cl/coronavirus, virtual space where the University has compiled the community information actions deployed in this pandemic period.

Written by Patricia Castro, DirCom

This Friday, July 17, through the Zoom platform. The conference will address topics such as the use of by-products, project opportunities, technological support and new process lines.

Academics from the Department of Food Engineering of the University of La Serena, will develop the Web Seminar “Development of Cuttlefish Bioproducts”, within the framework of the project of the Innovation Fund for Competitiveness, FIC-r, “Giant Squid: Development of Bioproducts ”, which seeks to open new opportunities for the development of these marine products, aiming to turn them into strategic assets for the region.

The University of La Serena leads a project focused on the study of uses of the by-products of the Cuttlefish resource, focused on identifying and evaluating four possible uses: oil extraction, collagen and gelatin extraction, generation of hydrolysates and the use of enzymes present in the viscera of the animal.

The conference will address topics such as the use of by-products, project opportunities, technological support and new process lines.

The academic from the Department of Food Engineering of the ULS and Director of the project, Dr. Ronny Martínez, stated that "this conference seeks to generate interfaces for the dissemination and exchange of knowledge that is part of the industry and the development of the project, which it is vital to achieve concrete long-term developments in the use of by-products from the regional industry”.

The day's program will include the participation of:

• Scientia Consulting - Prefeasibility study for the establishment of lines for extracting hepatopancreas oil and gelatin from cuttlefish skin.

• Karen Belmar, researcher at the Fisheries Development Institute, IFOP - Availability of the cuttlefish resource in recent months.

• Jean Paul Veas, Executive Director of the Technological Center for Food Innovation, CeTA - New options for the Coquimbo Region to develop bioproducts and food products.

• Manuel Rozas, founder and CSO of Kura Biotec - The journey of a company that, beginning with the use of by-products from the slaughter of marine resources, towards the transformation into a leading Biotechnological company in Chile.

• Juan Pablo Hinrichsen, technical sales manager of Sarval Chile - The possibilities of cooperation and business in the area of ​​valorization of by-products of the fishing operation through hydrolysates and similar products.

• Guillermo Molina, Manager of the Marine Bioproducts and Value Added Program,MASMAR - Opportunities at the regional level to advance the development of Bioproducts from marine resources.

The activity will take place this Friday, July 17, through the Zoom platform, and registration must be done through the following link https://reuna.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMvc-yoqT0oGtAeh61amUjfjSNudrbhhc01 . Spaces are limited.

Written by Sergio Muñoz, Office for the Dissemination and Diffusion of Science and Technology

The educational event next Wednesday, July 15, will focus on the guided study of the trumpet, taught by two outstanding musicians from the cast.

Responding to its new artistic programming, the University of La Serena Symphony Orchestra has begun its cycles of master classes from home with great success. The proposal, which will run until August of this year, inaugurated its first section with classes aimed at musicians in training and teachers in the area from different latitudes, interested in learning a little more about the instruments belonging to the brass family. .

This is how last Wednesday, July 8, about twenty participants from the regional capital and other instrumentalists from Brazil and Guatemala attended the French horn class via Zoom, directed by musician Gerson Pierotti. For more than two hours, active attendees as listeners had the opportunity to train and acquire new knowledge and techniques for better performance on the instrument. In addition, they practiced different stretching and warm-up mechanisms to avoid any type of injuries when playing, and some had the opportunity to show their progress by interpreting excerpts from works.

From his experience as an active student, Matías Milla stated that the class was very positive for his musical growth: “I really felt very good, especially at the beginning with the warm-up that we did, I didn't expect it and it was too good because they are exercises "They help us a lot to improve as musicians," explained the student, adding that he had never used this type of techniques. “I had never seen these warm-ups and I really liked them. I think it's something very positive because all the advice and help provided in this master class allows us to grow professionally."

María González also participated in this master class, but as a listening student and indicated that these educational instances in the midst of this confinement situation “are of great personal and musical growth; Furthermore, it is a psychological and emotional support because it helps us motivate ourselves with the instrument and music, since being locked up and without musical activities also discourages and demotivates,” he commented after participating in the inaugural class of the aforementioned cycle, in which highlighted the management of the professional group for decentralizing musical education. “These instances are very good and I hope they continue to be carried out through these means, since this way we can all learn and decentralize teaching in the Metropolitan Region. Furthermore, it is very good to be able to learn from such high-level teachers in our country,” said the student.

Another of the students who participated as a listener was Javier Saavedra, who also expressed gratitude for this space, free of charge, and open to knowledge and improvement of the instrument: “these opportunities are always welcome; Furthermore, one takes the opportunity to grow as a musician, to know what mistakes we make or to learn new techniques for our interpretation. Especially, at this time of pandemic, it is an opportunity that must be taken advantage of. Having Gerson, who is a great horn player, is valued even more. It is appreciated that they do these master classes, I hope that they continue repeating these types of initiatives because they are very good opportunities to learn and they are always welcome,” said Javier, pleasantly satisfied with everything he learned.

The journey continues 

After the success of this opening, next Wednesday, July 15, it is the turn to learn about and delve into the sound of another instrument from the brass family: the trumpet. On this occasion, the musical journey will be led by two outstanding performers from the professional ensemble, Sergio Fuentes Ibarra (1st trumpet) and Cristian Monreal Cortés (2nd trumpet).

Given this new master class that the Regional Orchestra is organizing with the support and financing of the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage and the University of La Serena, the musician Sergio Fuentes Ibarra said that these directed classes have the objective of delivering to the students who register "method scores through the Zoom platform with the aim of correctly performing and correctly performing the technique, addressing increasingly difficult repertoire, and later, dealing only with interpretation and musicality", he pointed out the first trumpet.

He adds that, as a professional cast from the Coquimbo Region, it is really important to continue working on bringing musical, educational and heritage work to different corners of the planet, through new platforms such as the Zoom application, “since the added value is that We as musicians provide art and education around music, and that is food for the souls of human beings in a time as necessary as the one we are living in; where society needs tranquility, calm and a lot of peace. Using this type of digital platforms, we can continue to reach our community and, in the process, protect their well-being and health in these times of pandemic,” he indicated.

The second master class of the month of July is scheduled for next Wednesday the 15th at 17:30 p.m., and those who want to register as active participants (3) or listeners, can do so at no cost by entering www.sinfonicalaserena.cl and fill out the registration form that is located in the 'Online Classes' tab.

It should be noted that the cycles of master classes are part of the 2020 season from home, which is financed by the Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage, through the National Budget Glosa since 2016, as it is part the Network of Professional Regional Orchestras; added to the financing granted by the university house of studies.

Written by Camila Pérez, ULS Symphony Orchestra

Disseminate and learn about marketing techniques that help improve the promotion channels used on social networks by entrepreneurs in the country, was the main objective pursued by the Social Networks workshop in 2020 developed by the School Directorate and the Student Center of the degree program. ULS Business Administration Engineering.

The workshop held remotely on July 03 through the Zoom platform, had the participation of Bruno Savoca, specialist in Digital Marketing from Argentina, Director of the Consulting Firm “Somos Busst”, founder of the Potencia School and adjunct professor of the Catholic University of Cuyo.

The day had the participation of more than 60 people belonging to various areas, regional and capital entrepreneurs, students from technical colleges in administration, academics and students from different careers on campus.

The event allowed us to learn and understand from the exhibitor's experience the different initiatives in business consulting on issues of brand positioning, sales management, loyalty, among other topics relevant to positioning and digital marketing this year.

For the Director of the Business Administration Engineering program of the Faculty of Social, Business and Legal Sciences of the University of La Serena, Mg. Andrés Álvarez, "it was very assertive to be able to count on Bruno's experience, since we were able to apply content in real time with the entrepreneurs, who dared to show their work on social networks and receive suggestions on how to better position their work, way to face the need to generate sales in this complex situation that affects us globally".

Likewise, the speaker Bruno Savoca thanked the interconnection event and highlighted that this was the first talk he has given specifically for a group of people from Chile. “I am grateful to be able to share my digital marketing experience, I have given talks for other provinces in Argentina and other countries, but for Chile it is the first. The group of students seemed very attentive and participatory, I was very happy about it. Without a doubt, the digital world needs more protagonists and I am grateful that they are approaching this world,” he stressed.

The event is one of the various initiatives that the University of La Serena generates in favor of the regional and national community in the midst of the macro context of the pandemic that affects each and everyone that makes up society in different ways.

Written by Paula Godoy, ULS journalist

Publicizing the main milestones achieved during 2019 was the central objective of the Public Account in the context of the XNUMXth anniversary of the Faculty of Social, Business and Legal Sciences, an entity led by Dean Dr. Luperfina Rojas through a solemn virtual ceremony.

Within the framework of the activity, the Dean of the Faculty of Social, Business and Legal Sciences of the University of La Serena, Dr. Luperfina Rojas, reported on the achievements obtained during 2019, the main growth milestones in terms of infrastructure, management, scientific and technological research, links with the environment and as pre- and postgraduate teaching carried out by the macro-unit.

In the review of the main milestones, the Dean highlighted the change of name of the faculty, as endorsed by exempt decree No. 448 of 2019 to the Faculty of Social, Business and Legal Sciences. In addition, the creation and approval of the new Department of Legal Sciences, according to decree No. 10 of 2020, which allows optimizing the management of human, technical and administrative resources in the Law School.

Likewise, the multiple workshops, inaugurations and commissioning of various rooms, laboratories and reconstruction of the earthquake in January of last year were announced, different investments that seek to position and give strength to the entire academic body, officials and especially to the and the students.

The Dean also offered words for the 332 new students who entered in this very special context, “our Faculty has managed to fill 100% of its places for this year 2020, which fills me with joy and pride for the management carried out, which It means that our students recognize the work that the university and our faculty do in ensuring the quality of teaching.”

In this way, the instance also made it possible to highlight the opinion of the National Accreditation Commission, in the accreditation for five years, from April 29, 2020 to April 29, 2025, of the Pedagogy Career in History and Geography, thanking the work carried out by the Director of the Department of Social Sciences and founding teacher of this career, Hernán Cortés, together with the academic team, officials and students, headed by the Director of the School Dr. Fabián Araya, as expressed by Dr. Luperfina Rojas: "We have completed a process, but as a Faculty we remain committed and work continuously together with Directors of schools, careers and departments in the new challenge that we as a university community face: the next institutional accreditation, facing this process we find ourselves confident since we know our capabilities and strengths which make us a great regional university”.

The event also allowed us to distinguish the role of the Legal Team, led by Law academic Elizabeth Escobar and professors Carlos Magna, Christian Merino and Germán Solís, in addition to all the academics who made their knowledge available in the complex moments experienced after October from last year.

In another relevant milestone, the international recognition received by the faculty from the European Society for Quality Research stood out, which recognizes companies, public institutions and organizations from around the world, for ethics and initiatives focused on management. quality. Award that was concretized with the delivery of the quality choice prize 2019. In terms of publications, the Dean valued the work of the researchers, who have increased not only the number of high-impact articles but also the publication of books and book chapters that allow expanding and disseminating disciplinary knowledge. The book publications of academics Dr. Francisco Roco, Dr. Alex Ovalle, Dr. Fabián Araya, Dr. Erico Wulf and Mg. Marcela Robles.

There are multiple challenges facing the coming years and the elements of the current context, which is why Dean Dr. Luperfina Rojas Escobar urged the community to work together for the greater good, “according to the needs of our community.” environment, we must be able to create new programs related to public policies, innovation, entrepreneurship, which allow us to continue being protagonists and contribute efficiently and effectively to the productive and social development of our region and country, considering this complex and new reality in which we will have to develop in the coming months and in the coming year, when we have overcome this pandemic,” he stated. In this context, the authority also valued the work carried out by the Mentor Network, coordinated by academic Dr. Sebastián Araya Pizarro, and which has provided support to entrepreneurs in the area, in the current difficult economic scenario for small and medium-sized enterprises. companies.

Of the tasks to be carried out, the Dean emphasized the next Permanent Academic Conference on Accounting Research CAPIC 2020, which will be held remotely in November of this year and whose organization has fallen to the University of La Serena, under the leadership of the Director of the School of Audit Mg. Patricia Cortés Iturrieta, together with a team of academics and with the important support of the Directorate of the Department of Economics and Business Sciences.

The opportunity also served to reflect and make sense of the challenges produced by the current pandemic context and thus also visualize the role of the macrounit in developing innovations to overcome the upcoming post-pandemic challenges. In addition, accentuate the strong social commitment and make knowledge and tools available to the regional community, in order to support in the areas where it is most required and together with this, fulfill the social role that the University of La Serena has, being the only state university in the Coquimbo Region.

Finally, after the central ceremony and within the framework of commemorating this XNUMXth anniversary of the FACSEJ, the Conference “Gender and Constitution” was held given by Dr. Miriam Henríquez Viñas, Dean of the Faculty of Law of the Alberto Hurtado University, with the virtual assistance of university authorities, academics, students and guests of the Judicial Branch of the Province of San Juan, Republic of Argentina.

Written by Paula Godoy, ULS journalist

The entity, created in accordance with the NCh2777 standard, began operating in March 2020 and, within the framework of the challenges of the pandemic, has had to work rapidly on the discussion and recommendation of preventive measures and action protocols to safeguard and protect the Institutional Information.

Maintaining the confidentiality, availability and integrity of data is, today, an essential practice for learning organizations. Even more so, in the midst of the pandemic that, in the case of ULS, supports its university community in preventive quarantine mode, with teleworking and remote training.

To achieve this, since March 2020 the Information Security Committee, established by resolution No. 488 of 2019, began to meet at the University of La Serena, whose function is to ensure the implementation of policies, measures and protocols, both from academic units as administrative, to deliver institutional guarantees of information protection.

Its creation is part of the disposition of the General Secretariat of the Presidency - protected by decree No. 83 and norm NCh2777 - to create Information Security Committees in the universities of the State of Chile. ULS is one of the first universities to launch this instance, made up of the Vice-Rector for Economic and Administrative Affairs, Dr. Armando Mansilla; the Director of Strategic Development and Quality, Dr. César Espíndola; the lawyer of the Legal Department, Julio Landaeta; the Director of Human Resources, Miguel Sánchez; the Director of the Information and Computing Center, Mg. Luis Andrés Moya; the Director of Services, Mg. Marcos Sepúlveda; the ULS Internal Comptroller, Enrique Acevedo; and the technical member, Mg. Carlos Pedreros.

The Committee appointed as Information Security Officer Marcelo Zepeda, an official of the Information and Computing Center, CICULS, who, among his duties, must ensure the correct application and compliance with the policies, regulations and procedures implemented by the committee and coordinate the work between the different units of the institution regarding information security.

Protection of Information

Regarding the protection of information within the university, the Information Security Officer, Marcelo Zepeda indicates that “both the Committee and the Information Security Officer respond to the institution's commitment to the protection of information. of the university, taking into account that this is an important and critical asset for institutional management, treating it in its broadest definition, not only as data stored within a database, but also as written, spoken, physical or digital documents. And he adds that “in addition, he considers people and their interaction with information, the technological equipment that people use within the university, the use of institutional emails and the transfer of information between units.”

On going

Between March and June 2020, the Committee has met regularly through remote communication platforms, with ordinary and extraordinary sessions.

The initial planning was for one ordinary meeting per month, however, the urgency with which institutional needs have arisen in the context of the pandemic, teleworking and remote training, has required the team to meet in an extraordinary manner to address the challenges and accompany the institution in this accelerated transition towards the adoption of technologies for its work.

Asked about the main tasks carried out in this period of operation, the Committee identifies 3 main lines of action: the work of creating the information security policy proposal for the university - based on ISO 27000 and 27001 standards -, the development of an Information Security Management System for the ULS and, finally, advice to the different units of the institution on information security matters, with queries on the right to privacy being particularly attended to and resolved. people, within the framework of teleworking and remote teaching.

Finally, Zepeda explains the importance of having an Information Security Committee for an institution. “Today it is important to have a security committee, since it allows us to establish the minimum policies, procedures and protocols necessary to safeguard the security of the institution's information and identify the risks associated with its treatment as it implies in this matter. Furthermore, the creation of this committee makes it possible to spread awareness of information security throughout the university community in a transversal manner, which makes it possible to increase the effectiveness of the measures recommended by this committee to senior management.”

Written by Tomás Rodríguez, DirCom.