Scientific community analyzes the role of science in the new Chile

scientific council1

The dialogue took place in the premises of the Chemistry Department of the university and had a large gathering, which brought together researchers, academics and postgraduate students from the ULS and other higher education institutions in the Coquimbo Region.

With the purpose of establishing a conversation and obtaining conclusions that are relevant to the social outbreak that Chile is experiencing, the Vice-Rector's Office for Research and Postgraduate Studies of the University of La Serena held the scientific town hall: What is the role of science in the new Chile?, which brought together researchers, academics and postgraduate students from the university, but also opened the doors to the community linked to science and research.

scientific fit2During the activity, where the Vice-Rector for Research and Postgraduate Studies, Dr. Eduardo Notte, the Dean of the Faculty of Sciences, Dr. Amelia Ramírez, the Director of Postgraduate and Postgraduate Studies, Dr. Cristian Ibáñez, and the Director of Research and Postgraduate Studies, were present. Development, Dr. Sergio Torres, the presentation was given by the lawyer Víctor Abarca, related to the Constitution, its scope and modifications, which gave rise to the conversation that turned into work tables, where each group discussed the role of science in the community.

"The idea of ​​this town hall is to be able to generate a space for conversation about how the new institutional framework can be linked to the development of research in the country, evaluating the changes that could be carried out and how the current situation could improve," said the Vice Chancellor of Research and Postgraduate Studies, Dr. Eduardo Notte, who also thanked the meeting for its willingness and great attendance.

The work tables, where those present discussed the role and importance of generating research around science, were reflected in ideas that propose science as a right that is guaranteed in the new Constitution, considering that the country advances thanks to the research contributed by thousands of academics from different places.

For the PhD student in Food and Bioprocess Engineering, Diana Leiva, “this space was very necessary, especially the work tables with people from all areas of science, from students to professors. This is a conversation where we must begin to consider why it is necessary to do science and how to jump over the fences of inequalities that are present today in this social outbreak.”

“This meeting seems like an excellent initiative to me and it is time to talk, we needed a space where researchers can give their opinion on our work and we appreciate that the ULS has organized this expanded town hall, where they make us part of a necessary conversation. The idea is to contribute from our perspectives to the new institutionality and we are convinced that we have an important role in this new stage that Chile will begin,” said the Dr. in Biomedical Sciences and academic at the Faculty of Medicine of the Universidad Católica del Norte, Vasthi. Lopez.

Finally, after sharing the questions that were raised in the different groups, there was talk of continuing with these instances, since they contribute to understanding and strengthen the activity surrounding the research.

Written by Patricia Castro, DirCom