The signing of the collaboration agreement between both institutions was celebrated with the planting of various native species on the Andrés Bello Campus of the university.

With the planting of the first 20 native species, of a total of 100 that the INIA Intihuasi donated for the Reforesta ULS program, the Agricultural Research Institute and the University of La Serena sealed an agreement in which both institutions agreed to work collaboratively in the development of research in joint areas, such as, for example, sustainability and environmental care.

This alliance considers research internships for postgraduate students at the INIA-Intihuasi facilities, participation of researchers in tutorial or thesis committees of undergraduate and postgraduate students, research and development projects on specific topics of common interest, promoting collaboration in carrying out R&D&I projects to benefit the regional development of the northern macrozone, among other actions.

The Rector of the ULS, Dr. Nibaldo Avilés, specified that this signing of the agreement “comes to reinforce work that the University has been carrying out for years with INIA and other organizations related to research. Furthermore, this was an excellent opportunity for INIA officials to plant a tree and join our reforestation initiative on the slopes of the Andrés Bello Campus. "We want to continue promoting agricultural research, which involves taking care of the environment and knowing the reality of our region."

The Regional Director of INIA, Edgardo Díaz, pointed out that “the agreement represents the effort of two institutions that want to continue advancing in the growth of human capital in the Coquimbo Region. "We are currently facing a major climate and water crisis, which means redoubling efforts to find solutions to current problems and also future ones."

Plantation of native species

The INIA officials who participated in the planting of native species on the slope of the Andrés Bello Campus - as part of the Reforesta ULS and “1 worker 1 tree for Chile” programs of the Institute - were very happy and grateful for the opportunity. that their institution and the ULS gave them, since, in this way, as they indicated, “we contribute to our city and help the planet.”

The INIA official, Ericka González, said that “when they told us about this initiative, to plant a tree, no one from the INIA doubted it. In my case, I want to leave a mark for my grandchildren, so that when they come to study at ULS they know that this is ours and that it is a great source of pride and that we were able to help the community of La Serena.”

When asked about the reforestation plan that the ULS is carrying out, the Regional Director of INIA was very happy to be part of this project by donating 100 native trees. “This is transcendental, taking into account the climate situation we currently have. We also wanted to be part of this because we know that, if we donate these trees, the ULS will take care of them and take the necessary measures for the conservation, such as the guayacán, which will be in a protection zone,” he stressed.

Written by Patricia Castro, DirCom