National Engineering Day is celebrated with an act held at the ULS

engineering day 1

The activity organized by the Coquimbo Zone of the College of Engineers of Chile allowed us to recognize the work of outstanding professionals who practice in the Coquimbo Region and share knowledge and experiences around the various areas of professional practice.

In the premises of the Technological Center of the Faculty of Engineering of the University of La Serena, the ceremony was held on May 14 with which the College of Engineers of Chile, Zonal Coquimbo, commemorated the National Engineering Day, an act that had as purpose to recognize the work carried out by these professionals and their contribution to society.

The first speaker of the day was the Rector of the University of La Serena, Dr. Nibaldo Avilés Pizarro, who reaffirmed the recognized prestige in the field of Engineering education, which characterizes the University and which has been able to maintain, fortify and update by innovating in curricula, teaching methodologies and the development of skills, contributing to the generation of the engineer profile that Chile requires.

''The University of La Serena, through its Faculty of Engineering, has strived to provide its students with the best teaching, through its valuable academics, first-class equipment and opportunities to get closer to the world of work, to the great companies and the local, national and international environment,'' he said. 

engineering day 2Another point to highlight ''is the fluid and close relationship that has been established with the alumni, bearers and disseminators of the Engineering heritage that this institution is proud to bequeath to each of the generations that comprise it,'' he noted. Rector Avilés.

Subsequently, the Sports Seremi, ing. Herman Osses, representing Mayor Hanne Utreras, greeted the College of Engineers, highlighting "the commitment and leadership they have had to materialize large projects and consolidate the Coquimbo Region as a development pole." . Likewise, the authority highlighted the value of engineers for their professionalism, uncompromising uprightness, responsibility and commitment to work. 

For his part, the regional president of the College of Engineers of Chile Zonal Coquimbo, ing. Raúl Vergara Contreras, through the presentation of 'Conjuncture of Productivity and Economic Growth', analyzed the different aspects of both essential factors to understand the economic development of our country.

Then, a distinction was presented to two outstanding Engineers from the Coquimbo Zone, for their outstanding professional career and their great contribution to the community and the College of Engineers of Chile. This year the recognition went to engineers Erick Weber Paulus and Luis Díaz Zamora.

Engineer Luis Díaz Zamora has developed a long academic career, dedicating much of his life to teaching and research. He excitedly thanked the distinction awarded by the College of Engineers, pointing out that through teaching, with the training of numerous generations of professionals, he has given his contribution to the country. ''Happy day to all engineers for the important work we carry out every day in different specialties that contribute very significantly to the development of the country and the world. You can't imagine our planet without us engineers,' he noted.

engineering day 3While Erick Weber P., general of CAP Minería, thanked the College of Engineers of Chile for this recognition on behalf of the entire team of people who are part of CAP Minería, a company that has been in the region for more than 55 years. Engineers and future professionals face several challenges in today's society, where we must be more complete and attentive to various topics such as the environment, social management, quality, corporate social responsibility. In addition, we must improve communication between students and companies, strengthening the University-Company relationship, because engineering plays a very important role in the development of the country. Finally, I hope that both in engineering and in mining we project ourselves with a view to a long-term country.''

The activity concluded with the Master Class by Engineer Alberto Cortés Álvarez, dean of the Faculty of Engineering of the University of La Serena and partner of Zonal Coquimbo, who offered the detailed conference ''History, Current Events and Perspectives of Mining''. This work appears in Magazine No. 8 of the College of Engineers of Chile AG-Antofagasta-Coquimbo Zonal Council, corresponding to the bimonthly publication May-April 2014.

The dean pointed out that ''in 2013, US$81.116 million dollars in products were exported, and of that more than 40 billion dollars was due to copper alone. Among the 10 national export products, 8 are miners. Hence the importance of the reserves that our country currently has. The manager also pointed out, when reviewing the origins of mining in Chile, that our country needs to further develop its mining culture and ensure the training of excellent professionals to strengthen this economic activity.


The commemorative activity was attended by regional authorities, managers, academics, students and special guests.