Three Luksic Scholarships are now available for two Master’s programs offered at the Edinburgh Futures Institute of the University of Edinburgh: a Master’s of Science in Circular Economy and a Master’s of Science in Data and Artificial Intelligence Ethics. Find out here how to register for the online session below to learn more about this opportunity.

The new Luksic Scholarship at the Edinburgh Futures Institute of the University of Edinburgh is an academic opportunity that provides three full scholarships each year to Chilean candidates who wish to study at one of the most recognized universities in the United Kingdom.

Those who interested in learning more about this academic opportunity are invited to join an information session in which representatives from the Edinburgh Futures Institute alongside the Luksic Scholars team will provide further details and answer any questions. Applications for the program and Scholarship close on April 4, 2024.

The information session will take place on Tuesday, March 19, at 12:00 pm CLST.

Sign up here.

The event will be carried out in English, and a recording will be made available on the Luksic Foundation’s YouTube channel.

During the webinar, the following topics will be discussed:

• Information about the University of Edinburgh and the Edinburgh Futures Institute: Its mission, academic focus, campus life, and what makes this institution stand out.
• Information about the two Master’s programs: Circular Economy and Data and Artificial Intelligence Ethics. Details of each available master’s program and the mode in which they are taught.
• Admissions and financial aid: Information about the process to access funding, as well as the specific requirements to apply for the Luksic Scholarship.

About Luksic Scholars

Luksic Scholars facilitates access to international academic opportunities in collaboration with renowned universities around the world, offering scholarships for master’s and doctoral programs, research, and specific programs.

Participants in any Luksic Scholars program become part of the Luksic Scholars Community, a broad network of more than 1,800 Scholars, which offers unique benefits and opportunities.

About the Edinburgh Futures Institute of the University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh is an academic institution with a long history in the United Kingdom, opening its doors in 1583. Over the years, it has been recognized for its academic and research quality. It is also one of the most popular universities in the United Kingdom with 45,000 students spread across six campuses throughout the city.

The Edinburgh Futures Institute was created to contribute to the evolution of higher education in the 21st century, under the conviction that global challenges are increasingly complex and interconnected. The Institute’s focus is on innovation, creativity, diverse perspectives, and collaborative knowledge building, to address problems from a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach.

The benefits of studying a master’s program in the United States and financial support options are some of the topics that will be covered in the webinar. Sign up below.

We invite students who are interested in pursuing a master’s degree in the U.S. in areas related to sustainability to join our upcoming information session, organized in collaboration with EducationUSA and Columbia University. The following topics will be covered: 

• The Master of Science in Sustainability Management at Columbia University and the Luksic Scholarship.
• The requirements and benefits of studying in the United States.
• The financial support options for completing a master’s degree in the United States.

>> Sign up here. The session will take place on Tuesday, January 30th at 3:00 pm EST / 5:00 PM CLST.

The webinar will be held in English and a recording of the event will be made available afterward.

The Luksic Scholarship at Columbia University

The Luksic Scholarship for Sustainability at the School of Professional Studies at Columbia University was created to support the development of trained leaders in sustainability, aiming to equip professionals with the necessary resources to generate change within their communities and professional environments. A total of 2 full scholarships are available each year for students admitted to this program for the Fall semester.

Applications for the 2024-2025 academic year are open until March 15, 2024. Interested candidates can apply here.
It is important to note that the admission, selection, and fund allocation processes are exclusively carried out by Columbia University.

About Luksic Scholars

Luksic Scholars facilitates access to international academic opportunities in collaboration with renowned universities around the world, offering scholarships for master’s and doctorate programs, research, and bespoke programs.

Participants in any Luksic Scholars program become part of the Luksic Scholars Community, a global network of over 1,000 Scholars that offers unique benefits and opportunities.

About the School of Professional Studies at Columbia University

Since 1995, the School of Professional Studies at Columbia University has administered and developed programs to meet a wide variety of student needs and is committed to offering diverse and innovative programs that help students succeed in their educational and professional development.

About EducationUSA

EducationUSA is a U.S. Department of State network with over 430 international student advising centers in more than 175 countries and territories. The network promotes U.S. higher education to students around the world.

The EducationUSA Santiago office is the main EducationUSA office in Chile and provides academic advising at the undergraduate, graduate, and intensive English levels at all accredited universities in the United States.

More than 400 people, including leaders, academics, and representatives from the public and private sectors, gathered at CorpArtes to attend the “Global Paths: Seeking Common Ground” conference, which featured a keynote speech by the Dean of the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford. The polarization of society, the stability of democracies today, and the role of academia in promoting dialogue and the search for joint solutions were some of the topics addressed during the panel, which was formed by Paula Daza, Verónica Figueroa Huencho, Oscar Landerretche, and Sebastián Soto.

The “Global Paths: Seeking Common Ground” conference, organized by the Luksic Foundation through Luksic Scholars, offered a space to delve into the significance of reaching consensus in an increasingly divided world and the role of academia in facilitating joint solution-seeking. The event, which offered both in-person and via streaming, gathered over 400 people, including leaders, academics, and professionals from across the country and abroad.

Is consensus necessary? Can agreements be reached without parties giving up their convictions? And, how do we avoid stagnation in a polarized democracy? These were some of the questions addressed during the conference. 

“We want to understand what is happening in the world and provide tools to contribute to the exchange of ideas and the development of people,” said Isabella Luksic at the beginning of the conference. The CEO of the Luksic Foundation also explained that the purpose of the organization is focused on contributing to the development of Chile through educational initiatives, and that this particular event arises from the conviction that academia plays a significant role in promoting the development of countries and that international experiences can create valuable knowledge exchange.

The keynote address was delivered by Ngaire Woods, the founding Dean of the Blavatnik School of Government at Oxford University. “Polarization is taking place around the world, societies are fracturing and not sharing, and that should concern us,” said the expert in her talk. Regarding the role of universities and education in this challenge, the Dean pointed out that “it is essential that we teach our students how to converse and engage in discussions. That at the end of the day, we can agree to disagree.” 

Following Dean Woods’ speech, a panel discussion took place between Oscar Landerretche, economist and academic at the Universidad de Chile, Paula Daza, former Undersecretary of Public Health, Executive Director of the Center for Public Policy and Health Innovation at UDD (CIPS-UDD), Verónica Figueroa, academic at the Institute of Public Affairs at the Universidad de Chile, and Sebastián Soto, Associate Professor at the Department of Public Law, Pontificia Universidad de Católica, and Vice-President of the Expert Commission.

Both Verónica Figueroa and Sebastián Soto belong to the Luksic Scholars Community, which is made up of of more than 1,800 people who have participated in an academic program promoted by the Foundation in collaboration with universities worldwide.

Ways to Reach Agreements

One of the topics discussed was the possibility of reaching consensus in a polarized society and the crisis of democratic institutions. In this regard, economist Oscar Landerretche noted: “I think that for the problems we are facing in our society, setting the requirement of achieving consensus is too high of a bar. I prefer the word ‘agreements or contracts’.”

During the conference, recent events that have happened in Chile were addressed, such as the social outbreak in October of 2019 and the recent plebiscite process for a new constitution. Paula Daza, former Undersecretary of Public Health, commented: “We have common objectives, we are concerned about contributing to our country and providing solutions to Chile. This allows us to reach consensus. The pandemic taught us a lot in this aspect. I believe that consensus is possible.”

Verónica Figueroa emphasized that as a country “we are coming out of processes that allowed us to discuss, reflect, and dream about the country we want. It is important that university spaces be spaces for reflection. I think that today we have significant challenges that we can focus on the dreams of the institutions we want for the country.”

As for Sebastián Soto, he commented that “in the future, democracies have as a great challenge on governability. Consensus is fundamental since one builds transactions and contracts on consensus. But we have to have a common ground. It will not be unanimity, but rather fundamental values that must be shared over time.”

Alongside the “Global Paths: Seeking Common Ground” conference, two programs aimed at academics, researchers, and professionals in the field of public service will be held. The programs are “Case Method for Public Policy Workshop,” developed by the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford, and “Negotiating Across Differences: Concepts, Strategies, and Tools,” implemented by Harvard Kennedy School at Harvard University.

The founding Dean of the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford is set to be the keynote speaker at the “Global Paths: Seeking Common Ground” conference, organized by the Luksic Scholars initiative of the Luksic Foundation. This event is focused on creating dialogue about the role of public service in fostering Chile’s development and on identifying the most effective methods for building consensus.

Ngaire Woods, Dean of the Blavatnik School of Government, will be addressing topics such as how academia can equip future political leaders for a divided world and the impact of forming unconventional coalitions on effective governance during her visit to Chile.

As a keynote speaker for the “Global Paths: Seeking Common Ground” conference, organized by Luksic Scholars, an initiative of the Luksic Foundation, Dean Woods is currently in-country for the event scheduled for Tuesday, January 9th.

In an interview with El Mercurio, Dean Ngaire, who is also an academic of global economic governance, highlighted several challenges that democracies are facing around the world today. These include the difficulty of increasing polarization in society, the questioning of government institutions, and the use of referendums and plebiscites as an “alternative” to representative democracy.

She emphasized that “when politicians are elected to assume responsibilities, but instead turn around and say they want to hear our voices individually, what they are saying is that they are looking for shortcuts to representative democracy. This is the case in Chile, regarding the Constitution, in Australia regarding the Aboriginals, and in Brexit.” She pointed out that plebiscites “exacerbate polarization and divide societies more and more.”

Specifically addressing the three constitutional plebiscites held in Chile, Dean Woods remarked, “constitutions are not magical solutions. Many governments attempt to modify electoral systems through constitutional changes, hoping to address underlying issues. While constitutions can sometimes offer solutions, if they do not turn out well, they can crystallize the status quo.”

International Conference: “Global Paths: Seeking Common Ground”

Dean Ngaire will be the main speaker at the “Global Paths: Seeking Common Ground” conferece which will take place on Tuesday, January 9th at 6:30 pm Chile time. She will provide a keynote speech on how to improve the governance of organizations, the challenges of globalization, development, and the role of international institutions and global economic governance.

Her speech will be followed by a panel discussion held amongst experts with vast experience in the public and private sectors, including the former Undersecretary of Public Health of Chile, Paula Daza; economist and former Chairman of the Board of CODELCO, Oscar Landerretche; professor of the Faculty of Government of the University of Chile and former Undersecretary of Higher Education, Verónica Figueroa; and Chilean lawyer and academic, Sebastián Soto.
The event will be live-streamed via the website www.caminosglobales.cl.
For more information, please contact scholars@fundacionluksic.cl.

This year there was a notable increase in applications to the Luksic Scholars Fund, which supports initiatives of the members of the Luksic Scholars Community in order to continue fostering the professional and personal development of individuals who have participated in Luksic Scholars programs. The total amount of funding available increased from $50,000 USD to approximately $72,000 USD.

FOR DETAILS ON THE SELECTED PROJECTS

A course on digital transformation, an innovation network in teaching for nutritionist training, a book on transfer pricing, and a study on the impact of Pro-Entrepreneurship Public Policies on the survival of enterprises in Chile, are part of the projects selected in The Luksic Scholars Fund 2023.

The initiative was created in 2021 with the aim of continuing to provide continuous support to members of the Luksic Scholars Community after they have participated in any of the academic programs offered by the organization. Scholars can receive up to $5,000 USD to develop initiatives in their areas of interest, thereby strengthening their leadership skills, acquiring competencies in key areas for their careers, or developing knowledge and research that contribute to their expertise.

This year, there was a significant increase in applications received by the Fund, reaching a total of 61 applications. Additionally, the funds to be distributed among the selected was increased to a total of approximately $72,000, in order to support more initiatives from the Community.

The panel responsible for evaluating each of the applications is formed by Georges de Bourguignon, co-founder and President of Asset Chile; Verónica Martini, Assistant Vice President for University Development at Columbia University; Steve Reifenberg, Professor of International Development at the Keough School of Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame; and Manuela Sánchez, Director of the Luksic Foundation.

Of the 16 Luksic Scholars whose projects were selected, 13 are from Chile, more specifically residing in the regions of Antofagasta, Biobío, Coquimbo, La Araucanía, and Metropolitan. Additionally, this version included a recipient from the United States, one from Mexico, and one from Croatia.

Selected Initiatives – The Luksic Scholars Fund 2023

Name: Ariel Ávila.
Project: “Leading with Finance” course at Harvard University.
Luksic Scholars Program: Babson SEE Chile 2021.

Name: Beatriz Millan.
Project: “Impact of Pro-Entrepreneurship Public Policies on the Survival of Enterprises and Their Internationalization Strategies. The Case of Chile 2010 – 2021”.
Luksic Scholars Program: Babson SEE Chile 2014, Babson Luksic Fellows 2015.

Name: Catalina Balmaceda.
Project: Classical Numismatics in Chile.
Luksic Scholars Program: Faculty Exchange Luksic Grants 2020.

Name: Claudia Bugueño.
Project: Innovation and Research Network in Teaching for Nutritionist Training (RIID).
Luksic Scholars Program: Babson SEE Antofagasta 2023.

Name: Herman Bennett.
Project: Book on the topic “Transfer Pricing”.
Luksic Scholars Program: Babson SEE Chile 2023.

Name: Juan Pablo Ramaciotti.
Project: Analysis and Policy Proposals regarding the implementation of Visas for Seasonal Migrant Workers.
Luksic Scholars Program: London School of Economics, Master in Public Policy (MPP) – Luksic Scholarship 2020.

Name: Kristina Fister.
Project: Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence in Croatian Healthcare.
Luksic Scholars Program: Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education – Croatia 2019.

Name: Loreto Cox.
Project: Chile 50 Years after the Coup: Permanence and Change of Political Divisions across Generations.
Luksic Scholars Program: MIT Doctorate in Political Science – Luksic Fellowship 2013.

Name: Miguel Cortes.
Project: Specialization Course in Digital Transformation.
Luksic Scholars Program: Conducting Business in China – CMIX 2008.

Name: Natalie Meyers.
Project: Establishing a National Strategy and Roadmap for GO FAIR in Chile.
Luksic Scholars Program: Faculty Exchange Luksic Grants 2019.

Name: Rodrigo Perez.
Project: Creating Value through Design 3rd Edition.
Luksic Scholars Program: Babson SEE Chile 2023, Babson Luksic Fellows 2023.

Name: Samuel Fernandez.
Project: Dissemination of research results on the Council of Nicaea (325).
Luksic Scholars Program: Faculty Exchange Luksic Grants 2015.

Name: Sandra Arenas.
Project: Reception of the ecumenism of the Second Vatican Council in Temuco-Chile: public incidence in a plural religious context.
Luksic Scholars Program: Faculty Exchange Luksic Grants 2015.

Name: Sebastian Gonzalez.
Project:  Transforming Classroom Teaching: Integrating Thinking Routines, High-Impact Practices, and Design Thinking for the Development of 21st Century Skills (Golden Skills).
Luksic Scholars Program: Babson SEE Chile 2023.

Name: Tesalia Rizzo.
Project: Between Citizens and the State: How Bureaucratic Transaction Costs Sustain Clientelism.
Luksic Scholars Program: MIT Doctorate in Political Science – Luksic Fellowship 2015.

Name: Silvana Cerda.
Project: Israel Innovation Experience 360° – From the Desert of Tel Aviv to Arica.*
Luksic Scholars Program: Babson SEE Antofagasta 2023, Babson Luksic Fellows 2023.

*The project has been temporarily suspended due to the recent circumstances in the area.

Note: The details and conditions of the projects mentioned in this publication are subject to modifications and updates. The Foundation reserves the right to alter any aspects of the projects as required to guarantee their efficacy and alignment with the overarching goals of the initiative.

More than 47,000 people are studying for a master’s degree during the first semester of this year in Chile. What are the motivations for choosing this type of program? In this article, we have outlined five advantages that this type of postgraduate degree has compared to other alternatives.

During the first semester of 2022, the enrollment of students in higher education in Chile recovered remarkably, returning to levels closer to those prior to the pandemic. This is shown via the Informe de Servicio de Información de Educación Superior (SIES) (“Report on Higher Education Information Services”), recently published by the Ministry of Education, in which a general increase of 0.6% was seen in comparison to the year 2021. 

In the same report, it can also be concluded that in Chile there are 1,301,925 people enrolled in higher education, 47,704 of which are master’s students, making it the most popular option among postgraduate alternatives. Why is this? There are several reasons why pursuing a master’s degree brings about different benefits, both personal and professional. 

Therefore, if you are considering taking this step in your career, but are still unsure, here are some of the advantages of choosing to complete a master’s program:

Specialization in an area of interest: acquiring new knowledge about a specific profession or field will not only allow you to improve in an area of your profession but will also provide you with new tools and methodologies to address the different challenges that arise within a company or organization. 

Learning about the latest knowledge and tools: in a world of constant change, it is necessary to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technology that arise in our areas of work. A master’s degree can help your full potential shine by knowing how to use the right tools.

Expanding your professional network: you will be able to connect with other professionals who share common interests and who can also be of help in enhancing your professional development within the workplace. 

Climbing in your work environment: in today’s world, managerial or executive positions may require a postgraduate degree; therefore, completing a master’s degree can help increase your chances of being promoted or accessing higher-held positions in a company or organization.

Salary incentive: according to data from the 2021 Supplementary Income Survey carried out by the Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas (INE) (“National Institute of Statistics”) in the midst of the pandemic, professionals who hold a postgraduate degree reported the highest income level in the country, with an average of more than $1,600,000 Chilean pesos.

During the year 2021, more than 80,000 people in Chile enrolled in postgraduate diplomas, master’s, or doctorate degrees in order to specialize in different areas of expertise. If you are also considering enrolling in a post-graduate program, these five tips may be helpful for you.

Continuing to study after a pregraduate degree is a decision more people are choosing to undertake. According to data provided by the Higher Education Information Service (SIES), there were 80,189 men and women in Chile who completed a post-graduate diploma, master’s, or doctorate program in the year 2021.

Of that total, 34% of students opted for post-graduate diploma programs, 58% opted for master’s degrees, while the remaining 8% chose to pursue the highest academic degree awarded by a university: a doctorate. 

When comparing these figures to those of 2020, which had a total of 60,946, a notable interest can be seen amongst those living in Chile who are deciding to pursue additional studies. However, choosing which postgraduate program is not always an easy decision, which is why we have outlined some guiding tips.

Define your goal: whether it is to get a better job or to specialize in a certain area, it’s important to define the purpose behind your decision to enroll in a postgraduate program. Once you have this laid out, you will be able to move on to the second step. 

Analyze the labor market: acquiring new knowledge can be enriching, however, understanding the labor market is also important. When you have already decided on which graduate program you want to do, it is recommended to evaluate the projected trends in your area of interest in order to prepare for the market’s future needs.

Organize your time to study: usually, those who decide to undergo a postgraduate degree have dual work and family responsibilities. With this in mind, it may be worth considering programs that adapt to your schedule, such as evening programs and/or blended or online programs offered by different institutions.

Consider the financing: many institutions nowadays offer scholarships or financing opportunities for their students. Check out the different options offered by each academic institution as well as their pricing and payment methods. Additionally, some companies may contribute financially towards their employees’ studies as a way of investing in their professional development.

Compare course curriculums: much like undergraduate degrees, postgraduate diplomas, master’s or doctorate degrees may have different areas of focus depending on the university. In order to choose the specialization that best suits your requirements, you should review and compare the curricula of different institutions to get a point of comparison.

Source: EducaLT (information only available in Spanish)

The rapid development of technology in general, the advances of artificial intelligence and the growing availability of data of any kind offer tremendous opportunities for companies and public organizations, but also challenges for the training of its professionals.

Finding wisdom in the data is essential, with data analytics becoming the perfect approach that allows combining organizational strategies with science of data.

In this context, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) joined forces with the Universidad de Chile to offer a new program in data analytics at the highest level to train professionals from Chile and the region.

As of May 2019, the Data Analytics Certificate (Diploma in Data Analytics) program will be taught in Santiago by the Universidad de Chile in conjunction with MIT professors, and will conclude with two weeks of courses in Cambridge, MA on campus at MIT Sloan.

The MIT Sloan-U de Chile joint certificate — the first program that MIT has offered with Latin American University — aims to prepare high-level professionals from the private and public sectors to make strategic decisions based on data (“data-driven decision making”).

For more information, click here, or apply here.