Plenary session of the rectors of the regional universities was held on January 17 at the U. of Tarapacá. The meeting was led by the Vice President of AUR and rector of the University of Atacama, Forlín Aguilera and had the participation of the Minister of Science, Aysén Etcheverry, in its first part.

The rectors of the regional universities traveled to the city of Arica to hold their first plenary session of the year. I find that in its first block it was marked by the participation of the Minister of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation of Chile, who through a telematic connection explained to the university authorities general background of the 2024 budget of her portfolio linked to the development of the Higher Education, the details of which are still in conversations and agreements with DIPRES. Among the issues reported by the minister, the aggregate growth of all items that contribute to CTCI of 10,6% and the implementation of two research funds for universities called FIU Regional and FIU Frontera stood out. 

In the second block of the plenary session, the AUR Inclusion Commission presented to rectors and rectors the results of a survey aimed at universities to find out the status of progress and difficulties faced by regional schools in terms of inclusion to comply with current regulations. As is known, this requires incorporating at least 1% of people with a disability and that, in their teams in charge of human resources, there is someone trained in the subject. The presentation was given by Elizabeth Álvarez, University of Antofagasta; Astrid Biere, Catholic University of Maule; Nicole Ahern, University of Magallanes and Melissa Flores, Vice-Rector for Environmental Relations at UMAG, who coordinates this commission.

The AUR plenary session was hosted by the University of Tarapacá, represented by Jenniffer Peralta, Academic Vice-Rector and Álvaro Palma, Vice-Rector for Administration and Finance, and was held at the Faculty of Medicine on the Saucache campus of this university.

Source: AUR Communications