Managers, career coordinators, academics, tutors, the PACE Program team, social workers and students participated in the event.
With the purpose of improving the skills of academics and professionals who accompany students in their first year of university and in order to facilitate their progress, encouraging their permanence during their first year, the University of La Serena, through of the Support and Effective Access to Higher Education Program, PACE ULS, organized the Seminar “Leveling, Support and Inclusion Strategies in Higher Education”.
The day began with the welcome greeting from the Rector(s) of the University of La Serena, Dr. Jorge Catalán, who expressed that “the programs of our University must be articulated to achieve quality education, that is, an education of excellence and equity. There is no quality without equity and equity means inclusion.”
The seminar continued with the presentation of the Executive Coordinator of the Learn-PACE Program, Mg. Viviana Romero, who pointed out that “our duty is to work to support the students, without them there is no university, they are the ones who move us; This instance was created to improve as a university campus and continue reflecting, growing in matters of support, leveling and, above all, inclusion.”
The Director of the Access Inclusion, Equity and Permanence Program (PAIEP) of the University of Santiago de Chile, Dr. Francisco Gil, participated as guest speakers, who highlighted the holding of this conference. “It makes me very happy that there are more people working for fair access to education and equity for our students in our country. For me, this challenge is not for anyone, whether it is PACE or another program of the same nature; Hearing that cities are asking that their schools be included in the PACE Program makes me proud; to see that efforts are being made every day to improve the support and inclusion of the country's students and that it is being established as an issue in society.”
On the other hand, this seminar was also attended by the Socio-Emotional Coordinator of the General Directorate of Inclusion and Accompaniment of the Catholic University of Temuco, Mg. Daniela Ortiz, who gave her appreciation of the activity. “I found the day very interesting, from what I have noticed the University is betting on inclusion, which is present in its management. I find it interesting to see the support that comes from the institution, there were many moments for reflection and debate. I see a committed team, which takes me back to the beginnings of my studio. The ULS has a human resource already established and they are a solid foundation to be able to fulfill the goal: that students can have a university step loaded with well-being and the fulfillment of their goal, the successful completion of their career.
The activity took place at the Hotel Club La Serena and brought together managers, career coordinators, first-year academics, tutors, the academic and psychosocial support team for students, social workers, the team and tutors of the PACE Program of the house of higher education. , as well as students.
In this context, the student of Pedagogy in History and Geography and tutor for PACE ULS, Vierussa Pizarro, stated: “I loved the Seminar, since these instances do not occur frequently in which you can learn, soak up new knowledge and reflect on topics as important as inclusion, and that also bring exhibitors who are so important and of quality. I think that the cooperation and pleasant atmosphere was enjoyed throughout this day.”
Meanwhile, the ULS social worker, Victoria Viera, indicated that the event was “very relevant, especially for making the attendees aware of 'LEARN ULS', which I consider very important for our university and our students; I also want to highlight the coordination, as Viviana Romero mentioned, in which each professional who works supporting students must work together, a challenge that as a University we must assume. And add that the PACE ULS team is always innovating with their activities, they go beyond the routine and it is a great pleasure to attend them.”
LEARN ULS Program
On the occasion, the Program to Support the Permanence, Performance, Leveling and Comprehensive Development of the first and second year students of the University of La Serena, APRENDE ULS, was also presented, which arises as an initiative that will allow students, independently of their entry route, have support in the academic and psychoeducational area.
The Executive Coordinator of the PACE ULS Program and Executive Director of APRENDE ULS, Mg. Viviana Romero explained that “the basis of the program is to establish and expand leveling, accompaniment and monitoring strategies for 1st and 2nd year students who benefit from the free admission to the University of La Serena, contributing to improving academic success and retention".
For Dr. Francisco Gil, the awarding of the Academic Leveling Scholarship (BNA) by the ULS is a great opportunity. “It is a great step that the University of La Serena is taking, a correct direction,” he said.
APRENDE ULS is starting its support actions in the second half of 2018, as a pilot program. It is projected that in 2019, during the first semester, student support can be organized, with the beginning of the academic year. Students who need some specific academic or psychoeducational support and who are in the first two years of the University, can contact them by email at
On the one hand, the person in charge of Institutional Analysis of the DFI, Roxana Acuña, spoke about the Plan to Strengthen State Universities and the Agreement signed with the World Bank; and the Director of the Scientific Information Program, Patricia Muñoz, referred to the new indicators of scientific productivity and gender equity in science and technology.
This computer application was discussed, unique in higher education institutions, which consists of reading Quick Response codes - also known as QR codes - printed in reports, reports and statistical yearbooks. In this way, the app allows providing digital access to the data of the variable consulted from the physical report, but updated on the day of the consultation through the use of mobile devices.
This meeting, which is part of the State University Network and is inserted in the line of financing called the Network Objective Framework Agreement, seeks to organize, in a certain way, the work carried out by professionals, where the Research Network of the CUECH considered sustainability as one of the country's priority areas, because it is in accordance with the public policies derived from the National Biodiversity Strategy that includes relevant matters such as protected areas, threatened species and wetlands.
The work method was divided into two days, where the different researchers met with their peers and talked about the lines of research to which they belonged. In their action plan they made comments regarding natural ecosystems, climate and anthropic system, and in all the tables agreements were reached, which translate into continuing the joint work, creating a database with information of interest and importance for those involved. and organize meetings to prioritize the different areas.
The activity began with the words of the Vice-Rector for Research and Postgraduate Studies of the ULS, Dr. Eduardo Notte, who was emphatic in ratifying all the efforts made in these meetings, where collaboration is the main spirit, it is in pursuit of Chilean education, the training of professionals, and the continuity of research in different lines, where “everyone converges in the same direction, the desire to continue working and show the progress that each one makes in their different lines of research.” He also made the commitment to have a joint work policy and continue with the path of institutional management assumed by the first university authority.
After the publication of the score results, scheduled for December 26 at 08:00 a.m., young people will be able to begin their application process to the different universities in the country affiliated with the Single Admission System. Students who want guidance about this process can go to the ULS Application Centers located in the Pentagon Room of the Andrés Bello Campus in La Serena (Av. Raúl Bitrán N°1305) and in the Education building of the Ovalle Campus. from Ovalle (Av. La Paz No. 1.108), where it will be attended at the following times: Wednesday and Thursday from 08:30 a.m. to 13:00 p.m. and from 14:30 p.m. to 18:00 p.m., and Friday from 08:30 a.m. to 13:00 p.m. and from 14:30 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
In this context, with the presence of authorities, academics, students and families of the participants, the more than twenty third-year students from twelve educational establishments in La Serena and Coquimbo were welcomed, who will give life to the new generation of the program.
On the other hand, the fourth-year high school student, Francisca Solar, told of her experience as a graduate of the first generation of the program. “Make the most of this entire period, you will have friendships and unconditional support from the entire program team, and, for this reason, we hope that this opportunity lasts over time, because it is an opportunity to learn more about the races.” of pedagogies of this University. In addition, the program allows us to prepare well-rounded students capable of being a factor of change, improving the quality of education. If I had not been part of this project, it is most likely that I would not have chosen to study Pedagogy in Mathematics and Computing, since I would not have had the guidance I needed, in addition to the tools that helped me increase my ability and confidence. Being a teacher is the only and beautiful profession that allows us to change the world,” she emphasized.
During the ceremony, and representing the program teachers, psychologist Viviana Romero, highlighted the importance of the family in this process. “Sometimes it is difficult to support your children in the decisions they are making, but it is important that you as a family can be there and support them because this is a great opportunity, but above all it is important that your children feel that you are trusting them. They are making a good decision. Continue believing that you can change the world, do not stop thinking that you can make changes in society and at an educational level, because young people are needed, with strength and desire, and the conviction I have is that pedagogies have a lot to say, so Therefore, they have a lot of potential and they have to believe in it and value their decisions. Never leave aside what you are passionate about, because it is part of your essence and make it part of your daily life and being a teacher,” the professional said.
Those in charge of giving this training were the support professionals of the Comprehensive Support Plan for ULS students, Alejandra Galleguillos and Sandra Salazar, who referred to the legal context by which our country is governed from a perspective of human rights and seeing the person with disabilities as a subject of law; the concept of disability; the correct use of language in relation to people with disabilities; and how we should approach them, if we do not know them, to provide some type of support and always asking the person if they need it.