Dr. Zúñiga was a panelist at this academic meeting that included the participation of the North American expert Dr. Deborah Elridge and a significant number of Latin American and Chilean specialists.

The Organization of Catholic Universities of Latin America and the Caribbean (ODUCAL) and the Quality Agency QUALITAS, organized in Santiago, on May 29 and 30, an international seminar that addressed the topic of quality assurance in Pedagogy and in which the dean of the Faculty of Humanities of the University of La Serena, Dr. María Zúñiga Carrasco, participated as a panelist. 

Teacher training was one of the central topics of this important academic meeting that included the participation of the North American expert Dr. Deborah Elridge and a significant number of Latin American and Chilean specialists.

The panel in which Dean Zúñiga participated, invited in her capacity as president of the National Council of Deans of Faculties of Education-CRUCH, and for her extensive experience and expertise, in the central contents of the seminar -Quality assurance in careers of the area of ​​education in Latin America - shared with the North American specialist, Dr. Elridge and the researcher and former dean of Education at the Alberto Hurtado University, Dr. Juan Eduardo García Huidobro. The panel was moderated by Andrés Bernasconi, director of the Center for Studies of Educational Policies and Practices (CEPPE), of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile.

Dean Zúñiga pointed out that specifically, her position dealt with the problems that the Pedagogy career currently has and the strategies that universities are developing to resolve these conflicts, from a quality assurance perspective. ''The planning of work, the integration of efforts and a systematic process of monitoring and feedback of actions make a virtuous whole, which increases over time. The opposite, which is what frequently happens, is that a strategic approach to addressing situations is not applied, starting from the lack of competence of those who have to design, conduct and accompany the training processes. In the case of teacher training, careless actions, failure to develop disciplinary and professional skills in our students, is something that is paid dearly because future teachers have a very great influence on several generations of our children. in our country,'' he said.

This academic activity was carried out by the Center for Advanced Research in Education and the Center for Mathematical Modeling of the University of Chile.

The student of Pedagogy in Mathematics and Computing at the University of La Serena, Ana Carolina Honores Heredia, participated along with other students from the country, in the Workshop for Future Teachers: ''Modeling and School Mathematics'', during the 30 days and May 31 just passed. This academic activity was carried out by the Center for Advanced Research in Education and the Center for Mathematical Modeling of the University of Chile, with the objective of generating an instance of practical experience and discussion about the importance of mathematical modeling in the teaching of school mathematics and teacher training. 

The workshop was oriented to address the skill of modeling that is presented in the new curricular bases and was aimed at pedagogy students in basic education - with or without a mention in mathematics - and secondary education mathematics pedagogy.

The teaching team was made up of experts: Patricio Felmer, Doctor in Mathematics and National Prize for Exact Sciences; Josefa Perdomo-Díaz, Doctor in Mathematics with a specialty in Mathematics Education; Natalia Ruiz, high school Mathematics teacher and Master in Mathematics; Carmen Gloria Espinoza, high school Mathematics teacher; and Armando Peri, high school Mathematics teacher.

Within the framework of the activity, recognition was given to the Minister of Economy of the Coquimbo Region, Miguel Sánchez. The event was attended by the Rector, Dr. Nibaldo Avilés.

In the Multipurpose Room of the Enrique Molina Garmendia Campus, an interesting meeting was held between representatives of the public sector and the academic world, called ''Tax Reform and its scope in Housing and Economy'', aimed at reviewing the main aspects contained in the project promoted by the government, which will raise 8.200 billion dollars, approximately 3% of the Gross Domestic Product, resources that will be used to carry out the Educational Reform and finance free Higher Education. 

On the occasion, the speakers were the regional ministerial secretary of Economy, Miguel Sánchez, and the seremi of Housing and Urban Planning, Erwin Miranda, who from their respective portfolios shared with the attendees, mostly students of Engineering in Business Administration. Business, Tourism Administration, Commercial Engineering and Law, the main scope of the reform.

In her opening remarks, the director of the Department of Economic and Business Sciences of the University of La Serena, Dr. Luperfina Rojas, pointed out that the activity, organized by the Chair of Tax Legislation, of the careers assigned to the Faculty of Social Sciences and Economics (FACSE), seeks to provide young people with greater details regarding a reform that seeks in its spirit to generate greater dynamism in the economy.

''This bill promoted by the government has just entered the Senate for analysis and discussion. That is why I am sure that this forum will allow us all to learn about such a transcendent issue that will affect the growth and development of our country," said Dr. Rojas, adding that "there can only be strong, sustained growth. and sustainable if we have a more equitable society, with social peace, that strengthens its human capital and with quality public institutions.''

The first speaker of the day was the current Minister of Economy, Miguel Sánchez, a commercial engineer with training in regional planning and management of cooperation projects.

During his presentation, Sanchez provided various background information aimed at explaining the need for tax reform, including the inequality gaps that require profound reforms. He further indicated that this issue must be discussed in depth and that it will undoubtedly be refined during its discussion.

The Tax Reform seeks to ensure that, in a solidarity-based manner, the needs of a society that demands more goods and services from the State can be met. With respect to Income Tax, the aim is to gradually raise the corporate tax rate from the current 20% to 25%. And put an end to the mechanism of the Taxable Profits Fund (FUT), allowing company owners to pay taxes on all profits and not just those they withdraw.

Subsequently, the presentation was made by the Seremi of Housing, Erwin Miranda, civil engineer in Civil Works at the University of La Serena and Master in senior public management.

The representative referred in detail to the implications of the reform in the sector he represents, mainly based on three pillars: adjustment to the VAT exemption, stamps and stamps and the sale or disposal of real estate.

Miranda also indicated that through the Tax Reform a set of initiatives linked to the care of the environment is established. This will operate as a way to stimulate change towards technologies that help take care of the environment. ''Due to its important implication in different sectors, it requires a broad debate where the opinion of the different actors linked to housing and construction is also being collected,'' she stated.

Recognition

The day concluded with the presentation of recognition to Seremi Miguel Sánchez for all the support provided to the University and especially to the courses of the Department of Economics and Business Sciences, in relation to developing the ''Entrepreneurial Spirit'' in its students. , in the various activities they carry out, including the Congress of Entrepreneurs and the Business Ideas Fair, among other initiatives. 

It should be noted that the current Seremi of Economy of the Coquimbo Region has developed an important career in both the public and private sectors as a university professor, manager of promotion initiatives for small and micro businesses. He was manager of Plan Arica I and manager of the Foundation and External Affairs of Compañía Minera Los Pelambres. He currently chairs the Honorable Board of Directors of the University of La Serena.

In his words of gratitude, Miguel Sánchez highlighted his family and academic training, based on values ​​such as social commitment and a vocation for service, which must be expressed in his work with the community in which one lives. ''This has allowed me to carry out important tasks, which I am grateful for having carried out,'' he said.

Likewise, the winner highlighted the management promoted by the Rector, Dr. Nibaldo Avilés at the University of La Serena, managing to establish a greater presence, with significant value for regional society and a permanent link with the environment. Emulating the words of Cardinal Silva Henríquez, he expressed that "the University must be the critical conscience of society."

The event was attended by the Rector, Dr. Nibaldo Avilés, university authorities, directors, academics and students of the institution.

On the occasion they were accompanied by the president of the Association of Engineers Dr. Mario Durán and the secretary of the same community Dr. (c) Jorge Pizarro.

A group of academics from the Faculty of Engineering of the University of La Serena, accompanied by the president of the Association of Engineers, Dr. Mario Durán, and the secretary of the same community, Dr.(c) Jorge Pizarro, met with the Rector of the ULS Dr. Nibaldo Avilés, to present in general terms an initiative that seeks, in the medium term, to generate a project that could make it feasible to hire contracted academics in the plant.

On the occasion, Dr. Mario Durán stated that ''what was raised by the academics of the Faculty of Engineering is a topic of union interest and that will be analyzed by the Association of Engineers, regarding the number of academics from the Faculty of Engineering. Engineering that could be benefited, and from that, make a formal request providing background information that would support said project if the Association agrees to it,'' he noted.

In this regard, Rector Avilés was interested in learning more about the proposal, which had its origins in the concern raised by a group of academics from the Faculty of Engineering last December. ''This is a project that could even have a benefit and impact on many academics at our institution,'' said the highest university authority.

Also participating in this meeting, the third in a series of preparatory meetings, were academics and engineers Oscar Contreras, Ricardo Cabana and Rodrigo Guerra, from the Faculty of Engineering.

Thanks to the implementation of 8 points in different institutional venues, football fans will be able to follow the broadcast of La Roja matches and other teams present at this sporting event. 

Next Thursday, June 12, the 2014 Brazil Soccer World Cup begins, which is why the University of La Serena has scheduled the creation of 8 fully equipped spaces in different venues of the institution, to continue the broadcast of the long-awaited soccer festival. .

In detail, those who wish to follow La Roja's matches in Brazil and those of other teams will be able to do so at the Andrés Bello Campus, a place where two points have been set up (Gymnasium and Andacollo Hall). Furthermore, on the Ignacio Domeyko Campus the Teaching corridor will serve to bring together all the enthusiasts who wish to join these sporting events.

Likewise, on the Isabel Borgard Campus, there will also be a space enabled, which will be located in the Amphitheater of the campus; while at the Enrique Molina Garmendia Campus, the Auditorium Hall will serve to gather football fans.

Spaces will also be available in the Coquimbo Campus (Room 12), in the Music Department (Rehearsal Room) and in the Limarí Campus (Casino), since the objective is that no one is left out of this important world event.

It should be noted that our university will provide facilities for our academics and students to follow our country's participation in this momentous sporting event. For this purpose, it is necessary to have time adjustments to follow the television broadcast, with due protection of teaching activities.

To do this, in advance, teachers must plan, together with their students, the recovery of classes that must be suspended; either by extending the usual hours or setting a new schedule.

Optionally, and by mutual agreement, teachers and students can suspend teaching activities for other parties of mutual interest, which must be recovered in the manner indicated above.

In a ceremony held in the city of Talca and in which the Rector, Dr. Nibaldo Avilés, was present, the President of the Republic, Michelle Bachelet, signed the agreements for the creation of the five new state CFTs under the protection of public universities. 

The University of La Serena has been chosen by the Government, along with four other higher education institutions in the country, to be in charge of one of the five new state Technical Training Centers (CFT) that will be created in the regions of Coquimbo, Antofagasta, Valparaíso, Maule and Magallanes. 

This was announced by President Michelle Bachelet in a ceremony held this Wednesday, June 4, in the hall of honor of the Central House of the University of Talca, an event in which the Rector of the University of La Serena, Dr. Nibaldo Avilés, was present. , and in which the President signed the agreements for the creation of the five new state CFTs, ​​under the leadership of the universities of La Serena, Antofagasta, Playa Ancha, Talca and Magallanes. 

The President of the Republic explained that ''today we signed the first five agreements for the creation of state technical training centers in five regions of Chile under the protection of public universities: in Antofagasta with the University of Antofagasta; in Coquimbo with the University of La Serena; in Valparaíso with the University of Playa Ancha; in Magallanes with the University of Magallanes, and of course here in Maule, with the University of Talca.

Furthermore, the President pointed out that ''these five centers will be the starting point of a network that will be in the 15 regions, and that will direct its work towards regional development and will be articulated harmoniously with the rest of the educational levels and with the productive sector". She added that "international evidence shows that without training quality technicians, in permanent contact with productive needs, with communities, it is not possible to build equitable societies that develop economically and prosper socially."

The Rector of the University of La Serena, Dr. Nibaldo Avilés, highlighted the initiative, pointing out that ''the institution has given important signs of quality, reliability and continuous assurance, factors that influenced the Government to choose the ULS to be in charge of this new public Technical Training Center of the Coquimbo Region, which will undoubtedly contribute to the training of quality technicians, who will contribute to the development of the region and the country.'' 

During the ceremony, the Head of State also highlighted that a Public-Private Technical Vocational Training Council will be created in each region that "ensures the coordination between technical-vocational secondary education, higher or tertiary technical education." professional and also the productive sector. Because that means that you really have opportunities not only to study, but also to continue developing and working."