At the ceremony, held via Zoom, Dr. Forest Engineer, Aníbal Pauchard, from the University of Concepción, was a special guest, who gave the conference How to reduce the impact of invasive species?

With the presence of the Vice-Rector for Research and Postgraduate Studies of the University of La Serena, Dr. Eduardo Notte, the General Director of Postgraduate Studies of the Universidad Católica del Norte, Dr. Larry Games, the Director of Postgraduate and Postgraduate Studies ULS, Dr. Cristian Ibáñez , representatives of the National Institute of Agricultural Research -INIA-, CEAZA, academics and students, the 2021 academic year of the Doctorate Program in Applied Biology and Ecology began, taught by the U. de La Derena and UCN.

The remote ceremony had the important participation of Dr. Forest Engineer, Aníbal Pauchard, from the U. of Concepción, who offered a conference on the impact of invasive species, their scope, challenges and existing problems. Currently, researcher Pauchard is the secretary of the Board of Directors of the Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity and one of the three directors of the Intergovernmental Platform for the Biodiversity of Ecosystem Services.

During his presentation, the students of the Doctorate, which in its 12 years have already reached the number of 88 professionals studying it, and where 30% are foreigners, the professional was emphatic in referring to the dangers of invasive species and the damage they cause in biodiversity. In addition, those present were able to ask questions and debate about what was presented.

It is worth mentioning that this Doctorate program aims to train in the country and in the Latin American region, human resources with doctorates in Biology and Applied Ecology with excellence in the basic training of Biological Sciences, where graduates will be able to contribute to the development of basic research. and in the sustainable use of renewable material resources, their management and conservation.

The Director of the Program on behalf of the ULS is Dr. Francisco Squeo, who thanked everyone present for the important work that each one has, from the point of view of the students, academics and collaborators, who make the program be a success.

It must be emphasized that this is a collaborative program between the University of La Serena and the Universidad Católica del Norte and where institutions as important as INIA and CEAZA actively collaborate in its development. It has 32 faculty professors and 15 collaborators, in addition to being accredited for 5 years until 2024.

Written by Patricia Castro, DirCom.