Both academics and students are working on a new version of the solar vehicle prototype to be at the forefront of technologies.

With outstanding participation, the Antakari team from the University of La Serena exhibited the Intikallpa IV solar car at the renowned international mining fair Exponor 2019. This vehicle weighs 164 kilos and uses less energy than an electric kettle, characteristics that have led it to be a top ten prototype worldwide.

The current solar car model includes materials that are used in the construction of Formula 1 cars, fighter planes and sailboats. It has a more aerodynamic design on the front, which reduces energy consumption by 15%.

Andrea Moreno, Expo Manager of Exponor 2019, described the commitment to the exclusive space for the energy pavilion as successful, stating that “it had an important reception by the main players in this thriving industry, publicizing the business opportunities it provides and its main investment projects. In that sense, having the Intikallpa IV solar vehicle was a tremendous contribution because it is a project in which higher education students have participated fully in the development of their prototypes, which is why it represents an important contribution to the formation of human capital and Furthermore, because it is a prototype with added value that is developed in our country.”

The Dean of the ULS Faculty of Engineering, Dr. Ing. Mauricio Godoy, pointed out that “this project is a relevant initiative of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, represented by its Director, Carlos Garrido. It is also important to thank the Rector of the University and the collaborating companies such as Minera Los Pelambres. Thanks to the support we have managed to position Intikallpa as a top ten worldwide, and we are very proud to have participated in this important exhibition in Antofagasta.”

Mauricio Godoy also announced "that we will soon have news about a new version of the solar car, which to be at the forefront of technologies is being innovated in design and materials, thus increasing its efficiency."

In relation to participation in Exponor, the academic of the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the University of La Serena, José Saguas, indicated that “the balance is positive, since this type of activities allow us to link with the community and the national industry. more closely, with a methodical growth of both students and academics, which is reflected in the great reception we have had from the community.”

Written by María José Barraza, FIULS 2030 Project

In addition to the purchase of specialized equipment for the analysis of compounds, the project includes the implementation of an online platform for organoleptic evaluations -tastings- of olive oils, which will reduce the interpretation and evaluation times of these products.

With university authorities, academics, olive growers from the Coquimbo Region and special guests, the launch of the University of La Serena project called “Functional prospecting of regional olive oil” was carried out, an initiative financed by the Regional Government through the Innovation Fund for Regional Competitiveness FIC-R and which seeks to highlight the value of olive oil and enhance consumption at the national level.

Academics from the Chemistry and Agronomy departments of the ULS carried out studies and explorations of the components of olive oil produced by different olive growers in the region, highlighting its nutritional quality and highlighting its health properties.

One of the objectives of the FIC project was precisely to carry out an analytical chemical analysis of regional oil production and thus position the quality of the product in the country. This was stated by the director of the project and academic from the Department of Chemistry, Fabiola Jamett, who was emphatic in pointing out that “what we are looking for is to find these minority components that olive oil has, which give it its power as a nutraceutical food, that is say for health, and once we find them, see how we can protect them and make a variation, so that they can be sold in another way and also that they can go to other markets, such as the cosmetic area that requires the highest quality oils. ”.

For the Vice-Rector for Economic and Administrative Affairs, Dr. Armando Mansilla, this project “will allow a technological approach and specialized training in the production processes of olive oil, nutritional and metabolic components present, impacts on alternative markets, sustainable practices and management in agriculture, the formation of innovation networks between them or other relevant actors. Without a doubt, it will sow great interest and could form the basis of a new portfolio of proposals aimed at obtaining the full regional potential of the crop.”

The initiative was carried out through the tasting panel of the chemical laboratory and the phytochemistry laboratory, and this has main relevance for the olive growers in the area, since this way they know with demonstrable analyzes the quality of their products.

For the Production Manager of the agroindustrial company Valle Arriba SPA, Jorge Astudillo Gálvez, “the ability they have had to identify the needs of the sector regarding analysis, quality, marketing and the projection they have with respect to nutritional and health terms of our oils has been fundamental, since these projects stimulate the dissemination of the wealth that these olive oils have and help us even more to position ourselves, not only as a brand registry, but in an integral way, in our region, the country and at an international level.”

“For all of us this is a great achievement and it encourages us even more to move forward. We thank all the actors who are involved in this initiative and we call on more olive growers to be part of this challenge that, as an institution, we have full confidence will continue to give. fruits,” indicated the Director of the Department of Agronomy, Dr. Adriana Benavides.

Written by Patricia Castro, DirCom

The presentation was aimed at students and academics of the Audit career.

Bringing closer the work carried out by an auditor in their professional career is the main objective of the collaborative work carried out by the Audit career of the University of La Serena with the Internal Revenue Service through a work agreement, which allows students to do their professional practice at the institution, in addition to giving educational talks to students and academics.

It is in this context that the talk was developed: “Workers with Fee Tickets and their Mandatory Contributions”, which dealt with the new application of the mandatory payment of pension contributions for workers who issue fee tickets, the process of which began this year.

The Director of the Department of Economic and Business Sciences of the FACSE, Mg. Alberto Hernández highlighted the special importance that instances of this type have for students. “For students it is very gratifying that instances are generated where entities such as the Internal Revenue Service give a talk and it can be seen in the number of students who participate in these activities,” he said.

For the tax inspector of the Internal Revenue Service, Marcos Becerra, it is important that the University, as a trainer of future professionals, generates instances like this. “It is important that there are spaces where students can learn about topics from direct sources during their training stage, since they are areas with which they will soon be related in the world of work,” he expressed.

The talk was given by tax auditors Vivian Toro and Marcos Becerra, and took place in the Enrique Molina Garmendia Campus, with the presence of authorities, academics and third and fourth year students.

Written by Tomás Rodríguez, DirCom

Agreement of the Academic Council of the University of La Serena, of the extraordinary session No. 2 of June 06, 2019.

To date, there are 2 plates installed on the Cutún and Peralillo hills, while the third will be installed at the end of June.

Capturing the legacy of Gabriela Mistral in the hills of the Province of Elqui through her poetry is the main reason for the “Literary Summits” project, of the “Cultura Activa” group, made up of citizens and ULS officials, and developed together. with the University of La Serena, with the support of the Rector's Office.

The project consisting of the installation of ceramic plaques with extracts from poems written by the Nobel Prize winner in Literature on 10 hills in the Province of Elqui, and which was presented at the regional study house, has already begun to locate them, The first being installed on May 17 at the summit of Cerro Cutún.

For Miguel Rojas, ULS ceramist and president of the Mountain Club, the reception of this project has been quite positive. “The response from the community has been quite positive, they appreciate that work is being done to keep Gabriela Mistral's legacy alive,” he indicated.

Along with the plaque on Cerro Cutún, the Cerro Peralillo plaque has also been installed and soon, on June 22, the plaque corresponding to Cerro Juan Soldado will be located.

The installation process of these 10 plates will end between the months of December and February 2020 on Cerro Las Tórtolas, at 6.160 meters high, being the plate located at the highest altitude in the Province of Elqui.

See the report of TVN Coquimbo Network about the installation of the first plates here

Written by Tomás Rodríguez, DirCom

The meeting was held at the University of Chile and brought together universities from all over the country who discussed new processes, challenges and opportunities around disability and university inclusion.

In order to participate in the Network of Chilean State Universities for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities, the team of professionals from the Comprehensive Support Project for students in a framework of inclusion and universal accessibility ULS1799, participated in the first meeting of the Network organized at the Central House of the University of Chile.

The activity included the opening words of the Rector of the University of Chile, Dr. Ennio Vivaldi, who pointed out the importance of educational inclusion in terms of educational quality, being corroborated by the greeting of the Vice President of the University Senate of the University of Chile, Dr. Alejandra Botinelli, who said that this instance “arises from the need for our Higher Education system to undergo institutional transformations that favor effective inclusion processes for the population with disabilities, both in the educational and labor spheres.”

The University of La Serena was present with the work presented by the academic of the Department of Education and coordinator of the ULS1799 project, Dr. Georgina García Escalante, called “Network of Chilean State Universities for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities: Origin and Challenges ”.

Professionals from the Higher Education Division of the Ministry of Education, SENADIS, Inclusive Higher Education, Office of Equity and Inclusion, ESD Support Unit and representatives of DEMRE also presented.

The academic and university senator Patricio Bustamante, and the student and university senator Catalina Parra, invited the different levels of the State universities to work together to exchange knowledge, experiences and inclusive practices in higher education and called for in-depth knowledge the organization and operation of the University Senate, as one of the inclusive management models.

During the afternoon, the Network met in a technical work workshop with the different universities of the State led by Dr. Georgina García, and which was titled: “Via Special Admission for Students with Disabilities to the Universities of the State of Chile” . The purpose of the activity was to establish some basic guidelines to propose the construction of a special admission mechanism for students with disabilities to the universities of the State, in accordance with international regulations ratified by the State of Chile and public policies on the matter. .

It should be noted that the team of professionals from the ULS1799 project also participated in the meeting of the Inclusive Higher Education Network -RESI- at the Universidad Católica Silva Henríquez, Santiago.

Written by Patricia Castro, DirCom