The University of La Serena was the institution in charge of receiving and organizing these meetings, where various topics on the development of research in the different universities of the country were discussed.

During the Jordanas of last Thursday, July 5 and Friday, July 6, meetings were held of the Vice-Rectors of Research of the institutions belonging to the Consortium of Universities of the State of Chile (CUECH), the Group of Regional Universities (AUR) and to the Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities (CRUCH).

During the first day, the meeting of the CUECH Research Network was held, in which representatives from the Metropolitan Technological University, the University of Magallanes, the University of Los Lagos, the University of La Serena, the University of Aysén, the Arturo Prat University, the University of Antofagasta, the University of Talca, the University of Santiago de Chile, the University of Atacama, the University of Bío Bío and the University of Chile.

This meeting began with the welcoming words of the Rector of the ULS, Dr. Nibaldo Avilés, who emphasized “the commitment of our institutions to collaborative work for the development of research and the prioritization of strategic areas. This joint work, without a doubt, contributes to our universities continuing to be leaders in the development of initiatives of high scientific impact and relevance at the regional, national and international level, within the framework of strengthening teaching, research itself and the processes of linkage with the environment carried out by each institution.”

Next, a presentation was made about the State Universities Law and the impact it generates on the research that each of them currently carries out. Subsequently, the analysis of the Consortium's work plan for the development of research during 2018 and the current status of its Network Framework Agreement took place.

Subsequently, the meeting of the Group of Regional Universities (AUR) was held, which began with a brief description of the results obtained in each of the actions entrusted during the previous period, along with addressing different topics related to the development of the investigative work of the Regional Universities, their challenges in pursuit of strengthening their activities at the local and regional level, individually or in a network.

Likewise, on the second day, the meeting of the Research Commission of the Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities (CRUCH) was held, where representatives from the University of O'Higgins, the University of Antofagasta, the University of Talca participated. , the University of Chile, the Federico Santa María Technical University, the University of Concepción, the Catholic University of Temuco, the Metropolitan Technical University, the University of Bío Bío, the University of La Serena, the University of Valparaíso, the University of Magallanes , the Catholic University of the Santísima Concepción, the Pontifical Catholic University, the University of Atacama, the Catholic University of the North, the Arturo Prat University, the Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso, the Catholic University of Maule, the Austral University, the University of Los Lagos, the University of Aysén and the Metropolitan University of Educational Sciences.

This meeting began with a greeting and words of welcome from the Academic Vice-Rector of the University of La Serena, Dr. Jorge Catalán, representing the Rector of the university, who emphasized the relevance of strengthening the collaborative and networked work of the different houses of study, with special emphasis on the areas of research and links with the environment, which meet the needs of a relevant environment, the country challenge, in the research, development and innovation processes.

Next, the presidency of the CRUCH Investigation Commission proceeded to carry out a detailed account of the actions carried out in the recent period, and then elect a new board of directors that will face the challenges of the next period. In addition, the issues regarding financing access to scientific data, the Ministry of Science, and finally, the relationship of the commission with CONICYT were discussed.

The former president of the CRUCH Research Commission and current Vice-Rector for Research and Advanced Studies of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Joel Saavedra, thanked the University of La Serena for the good reception and organization of this activity and indicated that the meeting was quite beneficial since “it has allowed us to establish a work plan to address the future of the new institutionality of science in Chile and, in particular, to see how universities can take a relevant role in the development of what educational institutions in Chile they seek, which is to support and benefit the development of the country.”

For his part, the elected president of this Commission and Vice Chancellor of Research and Innovation of the University of Valparaíso, Dr. Adrián Palacios, thanked the ULS for the management of this activity, indicating that “today, within "Our universities, there is a contingent issue of student mobilization and in any case the ULS has done an extraordinary job in organizing this meeting."

Finally, the Vice-Rector for Research and Postgraduate Studies of the University of La Serena, Dr. Eduardo Notte, referred to the importance of holding these meetings for the development of research in the country, in addition to the pleasure it means for the University. of La Serena manage this activity. In this regard, he added "during these two days we addressed various topics, due to the new university law and the creation of the Ministry of Sciences and Technologies. The organization has not been an easy management, we would have liked to receive the other vice-chancellors in our offices "However, everything has turned out well and the attendees have left happy with the achievements made in each of these meetings."