Nathan Brennan, International Student Recruitment Officer at the London School of Economics (LSE), a world leader institution in social sciences, emphasized that the university’s mission focuses on supporting “the improvement of society.” He explained that LSE aims for its students “to feel empowered, knowing they have both the academic and practical skills to develop effective policies that will positively impact communities worldwide.”

During the second week of October, Brennan visited several universities throughout Chile, including Universidad San Sebastián in Puerto Montt, Universidad de La Frontera, Universidad Católica de Temuco, Universidad Autónoma in La Araucanía region, and Universidad de O’Higgins in Rancagua.

“Over two-thirds of our students come from outside the UK, representing over 140 nationalities. As part of this vibrant international diversity, we are always keen to attract outstanding students and future changemakers from across South America. LSE visits Chile every year to connect with potential students, and this year we extended our outreach to visit universities outside Santiago,” Brennan shared during his visit.

LSE has welcomed Chilean students for over 50 years and is one of the top destinations for Chilean postgraduate students in the UK. “Each year, we welcome more than 70 new Chilean students at LSE, and the university also serves as a hub for research and debate on Chilean topics,” Brennan noted.

In fact, last September, Andrés Velasco, former Chilean Finance Minister and current Dean of the LSE School of Public Policy, hosted a special event alongside the Chilean Finance Minister, Mario Marcel. Brennan added that “several LSE academics produce world-leading research on Chile’s history, politics, and economy (for example, Tanya Harmer), and the university regularly hosts guest speakers from the region to advance these important conversations about Chile, and Latin America as a whole, on the global stage.”

LSE seeks to enhance knowledge in the field of public service. In August 2018, the university launched its School of Public Policy (SPP), led by Andrés Velasco, to ensure this mission continues for future public sector leaders. “The LSE School of Public Policy aims to bring together a global community passionate about policy change, fostering the academic knowledge and practical skills needed to tackle some of the world’s most pressing policy challenges. This global network allows students to benefit from the experiences and perspectives of their peers from diverse public service backgrounds,” Brennan explained.

Reflecting on his visit to Chile and to several regions and cities outside of Santiago, Brennan affirmed that “we are keen to see greater regional representation of Chilean talent.” He reiterated that LSE’s founding purpose is “for the betterment of society” and that the university seeks to empower its students with both the academic and practical skills needed to make a positive impact on communities worldwide.

The Luksic Foundation’s International Education area supports Chilean students in accessing cutting-edge academic programs at leading institutions around the world. One of the Foundation’s partnerships is with the London School of Economics, which has enabled 32 Chilean students to attend programs at the globally renowned university since 2020.
Each year, the Luksic Foundation offers four Luksic Scholarships for Public Service in collaboration with LSE: two scholarships for candidates admitted to the Master of Public Policy (MPP) and two for those accepted into the Master of Public Administration (MPA). These opportunities aim to support the development of leaders and experts dedicated to public service.

To apply for the Luksic Scholarships, interested candidates must submit their applications directly to the university, following its admission and financial aid processes.

Applications for the 2025-2026 academic year are open until January 2025. More information is available here.

The hybrid program, to begin on July 9th, 2024,  is the result of a collaboration between MIT Professional Education of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Luksic Foundation of Chile. A total of 40 full scholarships are available for professionals interested in learning about best sustainable practices and innovation opportunities.  

The circular economy has become increasingly important worldwide as a key strategy to address the environmental and economic challenges of the 21st century, and Chile has not been oblivious to this trend. In recent years, various public and private efforts have positioned the country as a leader in sustainability efforts in the region, generating a growing labor market and a need for professionals with expertise in this area. 

The MIT Professional Education program is designed for professionals seeking to implement circular and sustainable economic models in their organizations, as well as for those who wish to update their knowledge and explore the latest trends in this field. The objective is to foster sustainable solutions in the economy, promoting lasting economic resilience and combating climate change. 

An international professional opportunity from Chile

“At MIT, our President has made Sustainability and fighting Climate Change the top research priority for the Institute, with the mission of working with others around the world to make significant advances in meeting this global challenge. Accordingly, we are very pleased to offer a professional education program on Circular Economy in Chile in collaboration with the Luksic Foundation”, said Bhaskar Pant, Executive Director, MIT Professional Education. 

The program will begin on July 9 and will be conducted in a hybrid (online + in-person) format. Participants will attend nine weeks of virtual classes through MIT Professional Education’s online learning platform, followed by two days of face-to-face sessions in Santiago, Chile. Professor Fernandez will apply the principles of circular economy to explore the Chilean context today and into the future. 

“The vibrant Chilean economy is characterized by a significant reliance on extraction and agricultural production, alongside manufacturing and energy resources. As an economic vanguard in Latin America, Chile holds the promise of extensive circular economies throughout diverse sectors leading to greater resilience and longstanding sustainability”, said Professor John E. Fernandez, director of MIT’s Environmental Solutions Initiative.

“This is a model that we promote at Fundación Luksic, seeking to bring international expertise to Chilean academics and professionals without the need to travel abroad. This allows us to reach larger cohorts of people, break down the language barrier, and achieve a broader representation of the local ecosystem,” said Isabella Luksic, CEO of the Luksic Foundation. 

For those admitted to the program, the Luksic Foundation will cover all course fees. For those participants admitted who reside outside the metropolitan region, the Foundation will facilitate air travel and accommodation for the two days of face-to-face sessions in Santiago. 

To apply, it is required for applicants to be Chilean or have permanent residence in Chile, and to have at least 5 years of verifiable work experience. It is not necessary to have previous experience in circular economy.   

Applications will be open until June 30, 2024, at 23:59 hrs CLT. Apply here