The current Rector of the state campus was re-elected after obtaining 54,30% of the votes, surpassing his closest competitor in the first round by more than double. 

Dr. Nibaldo Avilés Pizarro was re-elected in the first round as Rector of the University of La Serena for the next four years, after obtaining 54,30% of the votes and surpassing the other three candidates who participated in this election.

The current Rector of the ULS obtained 340 votes in favor, of the 634 scrutinized in this process in which the academic of the Department. of Chemistry, Dr. Iván Fernández, reached 25,48% of the votes, the dean of the Faculty of Sciences, Dr. Gustavo Labbé, 12,90%, and the dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Dr. Alberto Cortés , 7,32% of the votes.

Dr. Avilés, along with thanking the support received, expressed his satisfaction with the re-election, pointing out that this result “reflects the recognition of the work we have done during these years.” In addition, he maintained that now we must look forward, “there are many tasks to undertake, great challenges and project our University towards superior quality. This is possible because we have a community that has demonstrated that it is totally committed to its institution.”

“Our University must continue to develop and grow because the demands are high. We have made important progress, but given the dynamism of Higher Education, it is required that institutions continue to strengthen and develop more and more. I am confident that as a community we will continue to work in the same way and with much more strength,” said Dr. Avilés, adding that among the closest challenges are job stability for academics and non-academics, further strengthening the University in the Research and Postgraduate areas, and the conduct of the participation and democratization process of the University after the repeal of the DFL2, which also implies a more active participation of the student and non-academic groups. 

The Rector election process for the period 2014-2018 took place this Thursday, August 28, from 08:30 hrs. until 16:30 p.m., in the Pentagon Hall of the ULS, and was characterized by its tranquility and high attendance at the polls, with 235 academics who voted (92,51%), out of a universe of 254 academic voters.