In addition to the conference by Dr. Adelio Matamala, the academic activity included presentations by the Dept. researcher. of ULS Biology, Dr. Luis Castillo, the PhD student in Chemistry, Sebastián Pizarro, and the Master's student in Astronomy, Daniela Olave.

In the Pentagon room of the Andrés Bello Campus, the ceremony was held with which the Faculty of Sciences of the University of La Serena commemorated its 33rd anniversary, an event in which Dr. Adelio Matamala, dean of the Faculty of Sciences, was a guest speaker. Chemistry from the University of Concepción, who spoke on the occasion about ''Molecular Structure: History and Future of Chemistry''.

University authorities, headed by the Rector, Dr. Nibaldo Avilés, the dean of the Faculty of Sciences, Dr. Gustavo Labbé, directors, academics and students of the macro-unit, were present at this academic activity that, in addition to the conference by Dr. Matamala , included the presentations of the academic and researcher of the Department. of Biology at the ULS, Dr. Luis Castillo B., the PhD student in Chemistry, Sebastián Pizarro, and the Master's student in Astronomy, Daniela Olave.

''What better way to celebrate our anniversary than by doing what we do best, that is, science; and in what way, disseminating science, generating knowledge and forming advanced human capital,' said Dr. Gustavo Labbé during his speech, alluding to the presentations of the day. 

Subsequently, Dr. Adelio Matamala, who is also president of the Chilean Society of Chemistry and president of the Council of Deans of Faculties of Natural and Exact Sciences of CRUCH, addressed in his presentation the concept of Molecular Structure and how it has marked history. and will continue to shape the future of Chemistry, opening enormous opportunities for its work. ''I am convinced that Chemistry has a lot to contribute, both at a local and national level and also thinking at an international level. "Chile is a country that has a lot of potential in this regard," he said. 

Along with reviewing historical aspects, the guest speaker referred to the elements to be taken into account for the progress of Chemical Structure within Chemistry in interaction with other disciplines such as Physics and Mathematics. ''A great challenge is how with all the path we have traveled, especially in the XNUMXth century and what we have in the XNUMXst century, to cope with moving from this apparent simplicity already achieved to understanding Chemistry in terms of molecular structure, based in quantum mechanics, being able to address the problem of complexity. The world we live in is complex, how can we go from this vision in which we already know how the basic elements behave, to being able to account for the countless particular cases of daily life,'' said Dr. Matamala, adding that some of the Problems to be addressed when working on complexity are related to the scales used, the number of particles, the diversity of molecules, their distribution and interactions. 

''One of the challenges that we are going to have to face is how in the study of complexity we are going to have to do again what the Greeks had to do, not lose sight of that in the simple, but in the superposition or in the connection of the simple elements, there will be this explanation of the complex, and that means creativity (...) it is the investment in human capital, rescuing that creative talent in our youth is where we have to make the bet,'' he noted. 

After this conference, Dr. Luis Castillo presented ''Importance of glycosylation for virulence in pathogenic fungi of animals and plants''; the PhD student in Chemistry, Sebastián Pizarro, with ''Cobalt in the Degradation of Pesticides''; and the Master's in Astronomy student, Daniela Olave, with ''Clash of Galaxies: before, during and after''.

The facility corresponds to one of the first 5 of its type that are promoted by President Bachelet in her Educational Program, whose design, location and educational project must be defined by the end of this year.

One day after President Michelle Bachelet signed the agreements with the state universities for the construction of 5 Technical Training Centers, on Thursday, June 5, the first work table was installed between the University of La Serena and the Regional Government of Coquimbo, to define the details of its implementation.

The University of La Serena is the sponsoring entity of the project in the region. Their design, installation and educational project must be ready within six months, for which they will work with a team of professionals from the same study house.

The Rector, Dr. Nibaldo Avilés, reported that a complete schedule of the entire process will begin to be detailed. ''From the technical point of view, we will be in charge of the formulation of the project that will include aspects such as: location, offer, labor field, among others. "We must work considering regional policies with a strong identification and link with productive development, to generate a positive impact on highly vulnerable students with quality and relevant careers." 

The highest university authority also highlighted the proactivity of Mayor Hanne Utreras and her work team to support the University and work together in the development of this regional CFT project.

Mayor Hanne Utreras, meanwhile, highlighted being able to work with the University of La Serena, "with the prestige that this institution has and the impulse that Rector Nibaldo Avilés has given it," adding that "we did a tremendous job so that the region would have its free, quality Technical Training Center. We have a tremendous challenge because we must be able to respond to academic needs, strengthen links between productive sectors and give young people new study opportunities.''

To this, the Minister of Education Pedro Esparza added that ''obviously there will be a significant expansion in the offer. But above all, the change will be in quality. We know that there are more CFTs, ​​but the quality is not the same, with the support of the University of La Serena it will be guaranteed that vulnerable young people can receive a first-class higher education.''

The Technical Training Centers in the regions correspond to one of the measures of President Bachelet's Educational project to expand the academic offer in the country, where 40% of young people pursue a career at this level.

The Coquimbo Region is one of the 5 pilot regions, along with Valparaíso, Magallanes, Antofagasta and Maule, to carry out this presidential measure.

Dr. Zúñiga was a panelist at this academic meeting that included the participation of the North American expert Dr. Deborah Elridge and a significant number of Latin American and Chilean specialists.

The Organization of Catholic Universities of Latin America and the Caribbean (ODUCAL) and the Quality Agency QUALITAS, organized in Santiago, on May 29 and 30, an international seminar that addressed the topic of quality assurance in Pedagogy and in which the dean of the Faculty of Humanities of the University of La Serena, Dr. María Zúñiga Carrasco, participated as a panelist. 

Teacher training was one of the central topics of this important academic meeting that included the participation of the North American expert Dr. Deborah Elridge and a significant number of Latin American and Chilean specialists.

The panel in which Dean Zúñiga participated, invited in her capacity as president of the National Council of Deans of Faculties of Education-CRUCH, and for her extensive experience and expertise, in the central contents of the seminar -Quality assurance in careers of the area of ​​education in Latin America - shared with the North American specialist, Dr. Elridge and the researcher and former dean of Education at the Alberto Hurtado University, Dr. Juan Eduardo García Huidobro. The panel was moderated by Andrés Bernasconi, director of the Center for Studies of Educational Policies and Practices (CEPPE), of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile.

Dean Zúñiga pointed out that specifically, her position dealt with the problems that the Pedagogy career currently has and the strategies that universities are developing to resolve these conflicts, from a quality assurance perspective. ''The planning of work, the integration of efforts and a systematic process of monitoring and feedback of actions make a virtuous whole, which increases over time. The opposite, which is what frequently happens, is that a strategic approach to addressing situations is not applied, starting from the lack of competence of those who have to design, conduct and accompany the training processes. In the case of teacher training, careless actions, failure to develop disciplinary and professional skills in our students, is something that is paid dearly because future teachers have a very great influence on several generations of our children. in our country,'' he said.

This academic activity was carried out by the Center for Advanced Research in Education and the Center for Mathematical Modeling of the University of Chile.

The student of Pedagogy in Mathematics and Computing at the University of La Serena, Ana Carolina Honores Heredia, participated along with other students from the country, in the Workshop for Future Teachers: ''Modeling and School Mathematics'', during the 30 days and May 31 just passed. This academic activity was carried out by the Center for Advanced Research in Education and the Center for Mathematical Modeling of the University of Chile, with the objective of generating an instance of practical experience and discussion about the importance of mathematical modeling in the teaching of school mathematics and teacher training. 

The workshop was oriented to address the skill of modeling that is presented in the new curricular bases and was aimed at pedagogy students in basic education - with or without a mention in mathematics - and secondary education mathematics pedagogy.

The teaching team was made up of experts: Patricio Felmer, Doctor in Mathematics and National Prize for Exact Sciences; Josefa Perdomo-Díaz, Doctor in Mathematics with a specialty in Mathematics Education; Natalia Ruiz, high school Mathematics teacher and Master in Mathematics; Carmen Gloria Espinoza, high school Mathematics teacher; and Armando Peri, high school Mathematics teacher.

Within the framework of the activity, recognition was given to the Minister of Economy of the Coquimbo Region, Miguel Sánchez. The event was attended by the Rector, Dr. Nibaldo Avilés.

In the Multipurpose Room of the Enrique Molina Garmendia Campus, an interesting meeting was held between representatives of the public sector and the academic world, called ''Tax Reform and its scope in Housing and Economy'', aimed at reviewing the main aspects contained in the project promoted by the government, which will raise 8.200 billion dollars, approximately 3% of the Gross Domestic Product, resources that will be used to carry out the Educational Reform and finance free Higher Education. 

On the occasion, the speakers were the regional ministerial secretary of Economy, Miguel Sánchez, and the seremi of Housing and Urban Planning, Erwin Miranda, who from their respective portfolios shared with the attendees, mostly students of Engineering in Business Administration. Business, Tourism Administration, Commercial Engineering and Law, the main scope of the reform.

In her opening remarks, the director of the Department of Economic and Business Sciences of the University of La Serena, Dr. Luperfina Rojas, pointed out that the activity, organized by the Chair of Tax Legislation, of the careers assigned to the Faculty of Social Sciences and Economics (FACSE), seeks to provide young people with greater details regarding a reform that seeks in its spirit to generate greater dynamism in the economy.

''This bill promoted by the government has just entered the Senate for analysis and discussion. That is why I am sure that this forum will allow us all to learn about such a transcendent issue that will affect the growth and development of our country," said Dr. Rojas, adding that "there can only be strong, sustained growth. and sustainable if we have a more equitable society, with social peace, that strengthens its human capital and with quality public institutions.''

The first speaker of the day was the current Minister of Economy, Miguel Sánchez, a commercial engineer with training in regional planning and management of cooperation projects.

During his presentation, Sanchez provided various background information aimed at explaining the need for tax reform, including the inequality gaps that require profound reforms. He further indicated that this issue must be discussed in depth and that it will undoubtedly be refined during its discussion.

The Tax Reform seeks to ensure that, in a solidarity-based manner, the needs of a society that demands more goods and services from the State can be met. With respect to Income Tax, the aim is to gradually raise the corporate tax rate from the current 20% to 25%. And put an end to the mechanism of the Taxable Profits Fund (FUT), allowing company owners to pay taxes on all profits and not just those they withdraw.

Subsequently, the presentation was made by the Seremi of Housing, Erwin Miranda, civil engineer in Civil Works at the University of La Serena and Master in senior public management.

The representative referred in detail to the implications of the reform in the sector he represents, mainly based on three pillars: adjustment to the VAT exemption, stamps and stamps and the sale or disposal of real estate.

Miranda also indicated that through the Tax Reform a set of initiatives linked to the care of the environment is established. This will operate as a way to stimulate change towards technologies that help take care of the environment. ''Due to its important implication in different sectors, it requires a broad debate where the opinion of the different actors linked to housing and construction is also being collected,'' she stated.

Recognition

The day concluded with the presentation of recognition to Seremi Miguel Sánchez for all the support provided to the University and especially to the courses of the Department of Economics and Business Sciences, in relation to developing the ''Entrepreneurial Spirit'' in its students. , in the various activities they carry out, including the Congress of Entrepreneurs and the Business Ideas Fair, among other initiatives. 

It should be noted that the current Seremi of Economy of the Coquimbo Region has developed an important career in both the public and private sectors as a university professor, manager of promotion initiatives for small and micro businesses. He was manager of Plan Arica I and manager of the Foundation and External Affairs of Compañía Minera Los Pelambres. He currently chairs the Honorable Board of Directors of the University of La Serena.

In his words of gratitude, Miguel Sánchez highlighted his family and academic training, based on values ​​such as social commitment and a vocation for service, which must be expressed in his work with the community in which one lives. ''This has allowed me to carry out important tasks, which I am grateful for having carried out,'' he said.

Likewise, the winner highlighted the management promoted by the Rector, Dr. Nibaldo Avilés at the University of La Serena, managing to establish a greater presence, with significant value for regional society and a permanent link with the environment. Emulating the words of Cardinal Silva Henríquez, he expressed that "the University must be the critical conscience of society."

The event was attended by the Rector, Dr. Nibaldo Avilés, university authorities, directors, academics and students of the institution.

On the occasion they were accompanied by the president of the Association of Engineers Dr. Mario Durán and the secretary of the same community Dr. (c) Jorge Pizarro.

A group of academics from the Faculty of Engineering of the University of La Serena, accompanied by the president of the Association of Engineers, Dr. Mario Durán, and the secretary of the same community, Dr.(c) Jorge Pizarro, met with the Rector of the ULS Dr. Nibaldo Avilés, to present in general terms an initiative that seeks, in the medium term, to generate a project that could make it feasible to hire contracted academics in the plant.

On the occasion, Dr. Mario Durán stated that ''what was raised by the academics of the Faculty of Engineering is a topic of union interest and that will be analyzed by the Association of Engineers, regarding the number of academics from the Faculty of Engineering. Engineering that could be benefited, and from that, make a formal request providing background information that would support said project if the Association agrees to it,'' he noted.

In this regard, Rector Avilés was interested in learning more about the proposal, which had its origins in the concern raised by a group of academics from the Faculty of Engineering last December. ''This is a project that could even have a benefit and impact on many academics at our institution,'' said the highest university authority.

Also participating in this meeting, the third in a series of preparatory meetings, were academics and engineers Oscar Contreras, Ricardo Cabana and Rodrigo Guerra, from the Faculty of Engineering.