ethics seminar1

Students who attended the meeting pointed out that it would be essential to continue with this type of workshops, in order to face situations that allow them to put into practice what they are learning, further strengthening their professional capabilities.

In order to strengthen the professional skills of students who are pursuing postgraduate degrees in their different formats, the Postgraduate and Postgraduate Directorate of the ULS organized the seminar-workshop called “Scientific Ethics”, which seeks to inform and update knowledge regarding that topic, establishing it as a critical part of scientific research.

ethics seminar2In this activity, which is part of a cycle of events aimed at postgraduate students, the need to be up to date with ethics and its implications for professional development was discussed, and for this reason, among the guests was the professional from the Department of Basic Sciences of the University of Bío Bío and expert in scientific research and academic fraud, Dr. Enrique Zamorano.

During the development of his intervention, he explained to those present the importance of having clear limits when carrying out an investigation, taking into account the scope of the studies and also the misuse of fraudulent publications that circulate thanks to “predatory” magazines. ”.

For Doctor Zamorano, the topic of bioethics in research is relatively new, in such a way that public institutions such as universities "are against time to achieve internal regulations that allow ethical work in different areas, to have a committee of bioethics, running quickly to try to achieve these objectives and so that our research meets a series of criteria of scientific rigor that allows it to be projected over time."

ethics seminar3While in the practical workshop, academic Zamorano addressed topics aimed at seeking criticism of scientific ethics, and where participants had to analyze them and put themselves in the place to clarify situations. Likewise, he pointed out “predatory” journals that do not require peer review, or if they do, it is very poor. “There is a blacklist and we are going to show it,” said the academic.

The Vice-Rector for Research and Postgraduate Studies, Dr. Eduardo Notte, was present during the day, and experts from different areas participated, including lawyer Elizabeth Escobar and Dr. Paola Salas, both members of the ULS Scientific Ethics Committee, and the Dr. José Valderrama, from the La Serena Technological Information Center, with the purpose of talking about scientific standards that help ensure the reliability of research results and the safety of research subjects.

The next meetings will be from the first week of June.

Written by Patricia Castro, DirCom

Damke

As part of its purpose of sharing knowledge that helps improve people's lives, the study house located in the Coquimbo Region made four videos that seek to explain in a didactic way to citizens the meaning of the astronomical phenomenon that they are going to experience. in Region IV next July 2; scientific dissemination material that will be broadcast by TVN Red Coquimbo and on social networks.

There is just over a month left for the total solar eclipse that will take place in the Coquimbo Region and part of the Atacama Region. This is why the University of La Serena, as the main university in the area and an institution committed to the objective of sharing knowledge to improve people's lives, decided to launch a series of educational capsules that help citizens understand the astronomical phenomenon that will occur this July 2.

The entity seeks to explain to people, in a simple and didactic format, the different scientific aspects of eclipses. The capsules will be broadcast by TVN Red Coquimbo as part of the institution's communication plan.

“Sharing with the community the knowledge that we generate and debate at the University of La Serena is part of our DNA. We are an educational partner for citizens in scientific, technological and humanistic matters. With this initiative we hope that the inhabitants can learn more about the eclipse and other scientific dissemination matters, so that they can enjoy and be amazed by one of the most anticipated astronomical phenomena of the year," explains Carola Espinoza, Director of Strategic Communication of the University from La Serena.

In the first information capsule, the person in charge of explaining what an eclipse is and how it occurs is the astronomer and academic from the University of La Serena, Dr. Guillermo Damke. In it he also tells why lunar eclipses are more common than solar ones.

The video can be seen on the Facebook and Twitter accounts of the University of La Serena, at the same time that they will be disseminated by the Municipality of La Serena.

The other capsules will be published during June and will follow the following thematic route: how to observe the eclipse safely for your health; why the eclipse will be best seen from the Coquimbo Region; and, finally, what is the relevance of solar eclipses.

The total solar eclipse occurs an unprecedented phenomenon. It last happened in the area 427 years ago and the next one will happen in 146 more years in the region. Therefore, Universidad de La Serena seeks to support the community to understand and fully enjoy this event that they will be able to appreciate once in a lifetime.

Watch video here

clean point

The official launch of the clean point will feature sustainability week, in which talks will be given to raise awareness and promote the circular economy and recycling.

Thanks to the initiative of students of the Environmental Civil Engineering program, and the support of the Faculty of Engineering of the University of La Serena, the Ignacio Domeyko Campus will have a Clean Point destined to recycle plastic, papers, cans and garbage in general . To carry out the initiative, the Collection Center was officially handed over.

The Dean of the ULS Faculty of Engineering, Dr. Ing. Mauricio Godoy Seura, in relation to the clean point and the official delivery of a warehouse as a collection center, indicated that “we as a faculty have a great commitment to our students, specifically, and on this occasion with those of Environmental Civil Engineering, who are working hard to achieve a Clean Point. As a Faculty we will have this space to promote a culture of sustainability within the University.”

To carry out the project, the students of the Environmental Civil Engineering Student Center (CEC) made a strategic alliance with the La Serena Oriente Rotaract Club.

Enrique González, president of the CEC, pointed out that “this will be a collection point for basic household waste, from cans to PET, plastics, which is what is most produced at the University, and that is why we believe that it is very important to recycle this type of waste. material. In this sense, the Enverde company will remove the waste and carry out the disposal in Santiago, in a certified place.”

Regarding the clean point, Katherine Rojas, president of the La Serena Oriente Rotaract Club, stated that “it has been a fairly long process, the important thing is to educate and raise awareness among the student community, we are looking for an alliance with the University to encourage recycling and Put the clean point to good use and make it a base project that can continue to grow. We hope that this is the beginning of many initiatives at the University and that this will later be replicated in the schools of La Serena.”

It should be noted that this initiative is a pioneer at the University and that the Clean Point will be located in the access corridor to the tunnel that connects with the university park, next to the Library and in front of the Process Laboratory of the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

Written by María José Barraza, FIULS 2030 Project

reforestation1

Starting May 2 and for a period of three months, the slopes of the Andrés Bello Campus will be intervened for reforestation. With this, progress is made in the improvement and maintenance of the university space, with a view to environmental responsibility and sustainability.

During these weeks, the university community has witnessed the cleaning work on the western slope of the Andrés Bello Campus, an action that is part of the institutional desire to properly maintain the campuses to promote the configuration of a comfortable and safe habitat for its members. .

reforestation2In this way, already in 2018, the first land clearing works were carried out in the sector surrounding the kindergarten, now advancing towards the sector adjacent to Avenida Raúl Bitrán to the sector of the pedestrian stairs of the campus.

The project has required the coordination of different units of the central administration that, at the request of Rector Nibaldo Avilés, have launched a task team to advance this commitment to reforestation, which is also part of the actions committed to in the Plan. of ULS Strategic Development 2016-2020.

Taking advantage of the motivation and knowledge of the academic of the Department of Biology, Dr. Cristian Ibáñez, who also serves as Director of Postgraduate and Postgraduate Studies, the University entrusted him with the mission of coordinating the work that, these days, is being carried out.

We spoke with him to find out details of what ULS projects in this space on the Andrés Bello Campus.

Why is the ULS working on the slope of the Andrés Bello Campus?

Reforesting the slopes of the campus, incorporating native and other non-native species that follow the concept of low water requirement and high landscape value, is an institutional desire that we hope will be appreciated by the university community, whom we need so much to understand the inconveniences that They could generate jobs, such as for the permanent care of the spaces that we recover.

What work is being done?

reforestation3Dry vegetation is being removed and the land on the west slope of the campus is being prepared to begin reforestation. We seek to green and beautify this space on campus and help it become a green lung for the University and the city.

To carry out this work, we have added the experience of professionals specializing in the matter, in order to guarantee that reforestation is carried out with a view to sustainability.

In the coming weeks, the cleaning work will intensify, including the use of a mini backhoe to remove debris and move stones and boulders.

What has been the reaction of the community that passes through the sector?

It has caused curiosity and that is why we are making an extra effort to communicate what is taking place. It is important that our university community knows that cleaning is the initial phase of a reforestation project. In this phase, plant material is collected, debris is removed and organic material is generated. All in order to prepare the land to begin the planting of plant species and the installation of its irrigation system.

Once the cleaning of this sector is completed, what next?

In the same sector, the area is organized, moving stones, delimiting paths and carrying out works that improve water use. Once that is completed, the planting itself begins.  

Was work of this type also carried out last year? 

reforestation4Indeed, during the second half of 2018, the eastern slope, adjacent to the ULS Children's Garden, was cleaned, removing all dry vegetation. Subsequently, an irrigation system was installed and then a planting of native trees was carried out, with the help of the Environmental Secretariat of the Federation of Students (FEULS).

How can the ULS community help these works last over time?

The main thing is that each of us values ​​the institutional commitment to keeping our campuses in good condition and permanently working on their maintenance and improvement. Especially in times where extreme climatic phenomena are becoming more frequent, such as intense rains in short intervals of time that accelerate soil erosion, or extremes of heat that irreversibly dry or freeze plants. Therefore, having a reforested hillside will help to install what we call ecological landscaping, characterized by the fact that the design of this green space adapts to the natural environment, taking into consideration aspects such as soil, climate, availability of water and orientation, to choose the plants most appropriate to the natural biological environment.

The best help we can expect from the community is understanding in the work phases, voluntary support to join seed collection actions, plant propagation or plantations, and then help take care of what we have built together.

harassment campaign1

In addition, on the occasion the signing of Exempt Decree No. 224 on the use of Social Name and Digital Law was made official, which will allow students to modify their name on the University's computer platforms.

The construction of a University free of violence is the slogan that accompanies this dissemination initiative, aimed at disseminating the Harassment and Arbitrary Discrimination Protocol, implemented in 2018 based on Student Mobilization.

harassment campaign2Several months of work culminated in the launch of this plan that seeks to enhance, accentuate and educate the university community in the new policies that aim to prevent harassment and arbitrary discrimination throughout the university community.

The initiative is promoted by the Working Group that meets monthly, and is made up of the Rector's Office, the Academic Vice-Rector's Office, the Vice-Rector's Office for Economic and Administrative Affairs, and the Assembly of Self-Convened Women (AMAULS).

The role of the state university of the Coquimbo Region is accentuated in commitments of this nature. That is why for the Rector, Dr. Nibaldo Avilés Pizarro, the commitment that AMAULS has had in substantial changes in university culture has been important. “The Assembly of Self-convened Women has been very brave, today the launch of this activity is a reason for joy; "It is a great milestone in our history to announce a campaign that will allow us to intensify this work of cultural change since there are practices that cannot continue, and for this we must educate our entire student body, academics, officials and directors," said the authority. .

The campaign launch ceremony was held at the Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences (FACSE), and was attended by the President of the Honorable Board of Directors, Ernesto Velasco, and the Rector of the university, Dr. Nibaldo. Avilés, the Academic Vice-Rector, Dr. Alejandra Torrejón, the Vice-Rector for Economic and Administrative Affairs, Dr. Armando Mansilla, among other university authorities, and the participation of the members of the Assembly of Self-convoked Women, as well as students and the general public.

harassment campaign3On the occasion, the President of the Honorable Board of Directors, Ernesto Velasco, emphasized that “this work is of vital importance since it is in the social sense of the University. Building a strategic alliance in each of the levels of the University is building a public policy and this allows us to build a culture that transcends time,” he stated.

The campaign will allow the university community to learn important definitions that allow preventing or identifying signs of harassment and arbitrary discrimination, and will also disseminate the different steps that must be taken when reporting situations that compromise the safety and integrity of people within the university. the institution.

For her part, the Academic Vice-Rector, Dr. Alejandra Torrejón, valued the execution of the work carried out, highlighting the three-state value developed in the execution of the Protocol and the campaign. “The three-state work has been the fundamental pillar, and now the graphic inputs will allow the entire educational community to be disseminated and educated on the different platforms that our University has in order to generate a climate of respect,” she explained.

The representatives of the Assembly of Self-convened Women (AMAULS) announced the work carried out in the Working Group and valued the management support in the realization of what was proposed. “We thank the Rector and the entire Working Group, the support has been real, now is when all of us as a University have gained experience in this social and historical change,” said Laura Espinoza, student of Pedagogy in English and an active part of AMAULS.

harassment campaign4Company name modification

The event made it possible to announce the implementation of Exempt Decree No. 224 on Social Name and Digital Law, which will allow students to modify their name on the University's computer platforms.

The Director of the Information and Computing Center, Mg. Luis Andrés Moya, announced this new possibility for the student body. “Interested students will be able to make this modification in the applications tab of the Phoenix platform and validate the change of corporate name, however, it will not be operational for the issuance of certificates or diplomas, since as a University we require the legal framework,” he explained. he.

The implementation of this option is already operational and available to be executed in each access portal that students at the University of La Serena have.

Written by Paula Godoy, ULS Journalist

 

Photo Gallery

school talk1

The activity focused on the upcoming solar eclipse on July 2, an occasion in which students were taught the care they should take when witnessing this phenomenon.

Great interest was aroused in more than 600 boys and girls in basic education by the talk about the solar eclipse given by astronomer Guillermo Damke and given by the University of La Serena at the Arturo Prat Chacón School in La Serena, in its role as scientific partner. educational astronomical phenomenon.

school talk2This activity is part of the collaborative work carried out by the school with the Municipality of La Serena and the Gabriel González Videla Municipal Corporation in order to educate the community about the total solar eclipse.

Gemita Álvarez, Director of the school, referred to the importance of the University of La Serena approaching and carrying out this type of activities in schools in the commune. “It is important, there always has to be a link with the University where we can educate the children of the region against phenomena such as the solar eclipse,” she explained.

For his part, Gabriel Carvajal, an 8th grade student, considers that activities like this are very positive, since they allow students like him to generate knowledge. “The talk was quite interesting because there is a lack of culture about astronomy, not everyone knows the care that must be taken with the eclipse and the information they give is very good,” he indicated.

school talk3Alejandra Leyton, Coordinator of the ULS Scientific Dissemination Team, indicated that “this has been the most massive and important talk we have held and we have had a very good reception from the boys and girls, who appreciate being able to access this type of information.” activities".

To date, 1.090 students have participated in talks on astronomy given by the ULS, in addition to other activities that the university is carrying out throughout the region, such as educational activities in public spaces or the presentation of the mobile planetarium, with the objective of disseminating knowledge in the community.

Written by Tomás Rodríguez, DirCom