The Rector of the University of La Serena, Dr. Luperfina Rojas Escobar, presented the authorities who will lead the Vice-Chancellors in this second year at the head of the house of higher studies. 

In the Vice-Rector's Office for Economic and Administrative Affairs, Mg. Lilian Alvarado Varas, while the Vice-Rector for Research and Postgraduate Studies will be led from this same date by Dr. Héctor Cuevas Larenas.

In the context of the presentation of the new authorities, Rector Luperfina Rojas, thanked the work of the outgoing Vice-Rector for Research and Postgraduate Studies, Dr. Eduardo Notte Cuello, pointing out that “he accompanied me in the installation stage of my university government, allowing me to advance in significant matters in the formation of teams and definition of challenges in research. I appreciate his outstanding work and commitment in the several years that he was in charge of the Vice-Rector's Office for Research and Postgraduate Studies, where one of the important achievements was institutional accreditation for 5 years in an area as relevant as Research.

Regarding the new appointments, the Rector indicated that "I have set myself the challenge of opening up possibilities for new institutional leadership in various matters and these latest appointments are the result of this perspective."

new appointments

Regarding these new appointments in the Vice-Chancellors of Economic and Administrative Affairs and Research and Postgraduate Studies, the Rector pointed out that “Mg. Lilian Alvarado will have the important task of developing the management of people, financial, technological, infrastructure and general services resources, to effectively comply with the standards defined in the Institutional Development Plan, which includes financial sustainability, job stability and quality assurance in all processes. While Dr. Héctor Cuevas, due to his professional training, will contribute with his experience in the development of sciences and in being able to face a new challenge in this area in the next institutional accreditation process, which is the strengthening of Research and advancing decidedly in matters of Creation and Innovation, aspects by which we will be evaluated to become a University of excellence. I believe that both authorities are going to carry out important work for the growth of our ULS.”

Another aspect highlighted by Dr. Rojas is that this new university government team is equal: “we have achieved this in the central administration of the institution, which is a sign of the changes required by the University of La Serena and our society, where we must have different perspectives that allow us to advance and grow sustainably over time.”

In relation to her appointment as the new Vice-Rector for Economic and Administrative Affairs, Mg. Lilian Alvarado expressed “this is a great challenge because we house several strategic units of the University, which support all the academic work carried out in our institution. Today the work will be focused on the self-evaluation processes with a view to the next institutional accreditation, which we hope will exceed 5 years and where it is very relevant that we can all contribute to the growth of the state university in the region." .

For his part, Dr. Héctor Cuevas indicated that among the challenges of the macrounit that he will lead will be “contributing to the development of sciences and postgraduate degrees. We have to raise our standards since we are a complex University, and we have to continue ratifying it. We will work to strengthen research and promote innovation and creation; in increasing our publication rate; in the development of postgraduate programs, and in providing a solid base of scientific development.”

In this way, the team of senior managers 2024 is made up of Dr. Alejandra Torrejón (Academic Vice-Rector), Dr. Héctor Cuevas (Vice-Rector for Research and Postgraduate Studies), Mg. Lilian Alvarado (Vice Chancellor of Economic and Administrative Affairs), Dr. Lorgio Aguilera Jopia (General Secretary) and Eng. Alan Olivares Gallardo (General Director of Student Affairs).

2024 Challenges

Finally, the ULS Rector urged the entire university community to continue working on the next institutional challenges, among them: the Intensive Academic Season (TAI 2024), an initiative developed by the Academic Vice-Rector's Office, during the month of January and that considers the dictation of critical subjects with the conviction of improving the indicators of academic progression and timely qualifications, which is a weakness pointed out in the two previous accreditation processes. Added to this is a series of important activities scheduled for this month and linked to the updating of the ULS Educational Model and that will allow working on an articulation between undergraduate and postgraduate, and taking on new challenges with respect to institutional seals, which will to be socialized with the different units through the Expanded Steering Committee, as well as issues related to the Institutional Development Plan and institutional accreditation.

Likewise, the Rector indicated that a relevant challenge will be to modernize the institution, through digital transformation and the implementation of an integrated information system that contributes to improving the efficiency of institutional work.

Relevantly, he also emphasized that there will be the task of implementing the new Statute, which will represent the adaptation of the organizational structure and institutional regulations. At this point, he reported that President Gabriel Boric signed the Statute that must continue with the administrative process before the Comptroller General of the Republic and then be published in the Official Gazette, so that the University, only at that time, has the power to start the implementation process.

The authority also highlighted that a transcendental task in this period is the self-evaluation process both at the institutional level and at the career level, since the policy approved by the Board of Directors is that all undergraduate and graduate programs must be accredited or be certified as appropriate within the year 2024. 

Finally, Rector Rojas indicated that a transcendent and transversal issue will be to continue with the implementation of a quality of life program that promotes the comprehensive development of the officials and academics that make up the university community.