This activity is the result of two previous meetings where these topics have been addressed, positioning the University of La Serena at the focus of scientific research.

With the aim of publicizing different research recently carried out by scientists from around the world, the 1401 Ineergias Institutional Improvement Program of the University of La Serena held the 1st Congress of Energy, Efficiency and Environmental Sustainability for three days at the Hotel Club La Serena, where prominent national and foreign scientists met to present their research on topics such as water use, climate change and renewable energy.

The activity organized by Ineergias, had the support of the Departments of Chemistry, Physics and Mechanics of the ULS, as well as representatives of the universities of Chile, Concepción, UCSC and the Center for Advanced Studies in Arid Zones (CEAZA), who formed part of the Scientific Committee.

On the occasion, academics, students and researchers from Chile, Spain, Colombia, Argentina, the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom met to present and discuss topics related to water treatment, energy and sustainability. During each day, plenary sessions, talks and poster presentations were held by the invited speakers, who are part of a broad network of researchers with whom Ineergias constantly works.

At the inauguration of this activity, the first plenary session was led by researcher Dr. Dinionysios D. Dionysiou, from the University of Cincinnati, United States, who presented his advances in water treatment research. Dionysiou highlighted that “the scope of environmental sustainability is very important because we have to preserve our planet, the population increases every day and that is why we have to ensure that we preserve our resources appropriately for future generations. On this occasion, my presentation was about water purification, both for drinking and using. There are many places in the world where they do not have enough water and that is why I believe that focusing on this issue will give us viable options for the future.”

For his part, the Rector of the University of La Serena, Dr. Nibaldo Avilés, indicated that the institution, through this PMI, has taken a decisive step in the development of this area. "We have managed to position energy, efficiency and sustainability as a fundamental part of our undergraduate training seal, through elective courses, the curricular renewal of some careers and the permanent training of students and academics throughout the institution," he claimed.

Along with this, the authority noted that "during the first three years of execution of this program, more than one billion pesos have been raised in research and collaboration projects with national and international institutions. The researchers associated with this project totaled three Fondecyt projects and a project from the Innovation and Competitiveness Fund in recent times, which positions the University of La Serena in this area, in the region and the country. And in terms of postgraduate studies, we have also signed the commitment to start during 2018 the first Master's Degree in Energy, which will be offered by the University and which adds to the two Diplomas that have allowed these topics to be installed in professionals throughout the region, thus responding to the institutional commitment to connect the formation of advanced human capital, with the demands of the territory".

This congress featured the participation of 3 main speakers along with more than 15 researchers who collaborated by giving talks and presenting posters on their most recent work in resource management efficiency, renewable energy and sustainability, among other topics.

The student of Agronomic Engineering at the University of La Serena, Celeste Vega, attended this congress and highlighted that “I found this activity very appropriate, it was very good since it helps us as students to know what is currently being researched.” on the topics of environmental sustainability and energy. It also allowed us to become familiar with the views of national and international researchers to understand their points of view and the variations that exist with respect to our handling of these issues.”

Source: Ineergies Press