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11 initiatives selected to receive support via The Luksic Scholars Fund 2022

This year, the Luksic Scholars Foundation relaunched The Luksic Scholars Fund, an opportunity that allows members of its network to be awarded up to $5,000.00 USD per project.

A total of 11 projects have been selected to receive support from The Luksic Scholars Fund 2022, an internal initiative created by the Luksic Scholars Foundation that seeks to continue providing professional development opportunities to the members of its community via this second edition. 

Those who applied to receive support were asked to demonstrate how their initiative would respond to one or more of the development points defined by the Fund: obtain leadership skills as agents of change in one’s area of expertise, acquire competencies in key areas for one’s careers, and/or develop knowledge and research that contribute to one’s professional field. 

The Scholars who have been granted financial support from the Fund reside in various regions throughout Chile, such as Antofagasta, Biobío, Maule, Metropolitana, Los Lagos y Los Ríos, and they have participated in programs supported by the Luksic Scholars Foundation which range from research fellowships, symposiums for teaching entrepreneurship, and pedagogical conferences to Master’s programs related to public service. 

The selected initiatives will receive up to $5,000.00 USD in funding for their development and range from education, entrepreneurship, science, public policy, and food and nutrition to research.

To learn more about the Fund’s initiatives for 2022, click here.

The opinions and conclusions presented in the works carried out by the Scholars who received funding from the Luksic Scholars Foundation are the sole property and responsibility of those who have expressed them and do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Foundation.

In establishing this Fund, the Foundation does not endorse or support these opinions or conclusions as it has only sought to motivate Scholars to develop academic research or carry out professional initiatives that allow for their professional development.

LSE and the University of Oxford open applications for Master’s programs related to Public Service

During the second half of this year, the universities of Oxford and LSE in the United Kingdom opened applications to their Master’s programs in Public Policy (Oxford and LSE) and Public Administration (only LSE). The Luksic Scholarships are full scholarships and are available to Chileans admitted to these international programs. 

In a dynamic and constantly changing society, creating public policies that respond effectively to people’s needs is a great challenge. To address this problem, the University of Oxford and the London School of Economics (LSE) offers Master’s degrees related to public service that focus on training leaders with a strong social commitment.

Through these international programs, admitted students will be able to acquire new tools, both for the development of their careers and to generate changes in their professional environment. They will also be able to obtain new perspectives, theories, and practical knowledge to address real-world challenges in the field of public policy. 

The content of these Master’s programs varies and their duration ranges from 9 to 24 months, allowing those interested to choose between the options that best suit their professional and personal needs. 

To support the participation of Chilean candidates in these programs, the Luksic Scholars Foundation has collaborated with these universities to establish scholarship opportunities to cover the costs associated with the program, such as tuition and living expenses.

The Luksic Scholarship for Public Service at the Blatavnik School of Government, University of Oxford

The Master of Public Policy (MPP) program at Oxford combines theoretical and practical teachings in order to formulate public policy. The program also includes conferences, seminars, case studies, and workshops, as well as a summer project in which students have the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills they learned to the real world. Those who wish to apply to this program must hold a university degree in any discipline and be highly proficient in the English language. 

To learn more about eligibility, the application process, and the Luksic Scholarship, please click here

An information session was organized between the Luksic Scholars Foundation and the University of Oxford that took place on November 16th, 2022. It included a presentation from the Blavatnik School of Government, as well as a conversation with two Luksic Scholars regarding the application process and their program experience. You can find the event recording below:

The Luksic Scholarship for Public Service at the School of Public Policy, LSE

There are two programs at LSE’s School of Public Policy that are available for the Luksic Scholarship: the Master’s in Public Policy and the Master’s in Public Administration. These programs combine methodological discipline and practical teachings to enable professionals to address real-world policy challenges. Both programs require candidates to have a university degree in any discipline.

Master in Public Policy (MPP) – To learn more about eligibility, the application process, and the Luksic Scholarship, please click here

Master of Public Administration (MPA) – To learn more about eligibility, the application process, and the Luksic Scholarship, please click here

An information session was organized between the Luksic Scholars Foundation and LSE that took place on November 22nd, 2022. It included a presentation from the School of Public Policy, as well as a conversation with two Luksic Scholars regarding the application process and their program experience. You can find the event recording below:


The Luksic Scholars Foundation supports the development and dissemination of these programs and scholarships, however, the processes of admission, selection, and funding allocation are carried out exclusively by the universities. Therefore, those who are interested in applying must follow each university’s admission process and request financial support directly.

Want to learn more? Participate in an information session!

Each session will include a presentation from the respective university providing additional institutional information, the Master’s programs, The Luksic Scholarship, and the admission and selection processes. We will also hear from Luksic Scholars to learn more about their experiences, either as current students or graduates. Both sessions will end with a Q&A. Events will be held in English.

>> Oxford – Wednesday, November 16th at 12 midday CLST. Sign up here

>> LSE – Tuesday, November 22nd at 12 midday CLST. Sign up here.

Luksic Scholars Foundation mourns the passing of Karen Poniachik

Until the time of her passing, Karen Poniachik served as Director of the Global Center at Columbia University. During her 11 years of leading the Center, she left an important mark on the formation of the alumni community throughout Chile as well as seeking opportunities and spaces for women in leadership roles.

The Luksic Scholars Foundation expresses its deep sorrow for the early passing of Karen Poniachik, who at 57 years of age leaves a great legacy as Director of the Global Center of Columbia University, which she successfully led with great professionalism and leadership over the last 11 years.

Having studied journalism at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and a Master’s degree in International Relations from Columbia University, Karen always stood out for her strategic and global vision and for being in constant search of new academic horizons for Chileans and foreign students in Chile. She had the ability to create an important community of Columbia alumni throughout Chile and promoted numerous initiatives to promote the role of women in leadership positions.

Peter Morse, President of the Board of the Luksic Scholars Foundation, also expresses his deepest condolences to the family and friends of Poniachik: “We will always remember Karen with special affection, and we thank her for her great dedication and passion for learning. She always looked for new and innovative opportunities for collaboration between Chile and the world, and she had special leadership at the helm of the Global Center of Columbia University, an institution with which we were able to continue strengthening our ties thanks to its global and strategic vision.” “We especially appreciate the great contribution she made to build bridges between Chile and leading international centers of research,” Morse also comments.

Throughout her career, Karen held various positions, both in the public and private spheres. Between 1995 and 2000, she was the Director of Business Programs at the Council of the Americas in New York. She was also a consultant for private companies and for the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Finance. During the government administration of President Ricardo Lagos, she held the position of Executive Vice President of the Foreign Investment Committee (CEI), from March 2000 to March 2006. Later, during the first government of President Michelle Bachelet, she became Minister of Mining, becoming the first woman in history to hold this position.

Scholarship opportunity to pursue a master’s degree in public service at Sciences Po University

At the beginning of October, the application cycle to apply for the Master’s programs offered by the Paris School of International Affairs and the School of Public Affairs at the University of Sciences Po opened. Chilean candidates will be able to access a comprehensive financing package via the Luksic Scholarship with applications closing at the end of November.

With the aim of supporting the participation of Chileans in the Master’s programs at the Paris School of International Affairs and the School of Public Affairs, the Luksic Scholars Foundation created the Luksic Scholarship at Sciences Po, a scholarship that will be allocated by the University to three Chilean candidates who will begin their studies in September 2023. 

To access this opportunity, candidates must apply directly to the University and inform the university that they would like to be considered for the Luksic Scholarship on the application platform. Below, you can find more information about the requirements, application process, and other details regarding the Scholarship. 

Luksic Scholarship at Sciences Po

Application Dates: Individuals who wish to apply to the Master’s degree at Sciences Po and plan to request financial aid via the Luksic Scholarship, must submit their application between 03 October 2022 – 30 November 2022*. Applicants must apply directly to Sciences Po. Accepted candidates are then considered for the Luksic Scholarship via the financial aid protocols carried out by the university, which exclusively manages the adjudication of funding. 

*Interested individuals who do not plan to request financial aid may submit their application during the regular period from 03 October 2022 – 26 February 2023.

Program Location: Paris, France.

Program Duration: 2 years (start: August 2023 – end: June 2025)

Program Language: Classes are taught in English or French. Candidates must have proficiency in the language of the Master’s program, demonstrated by one of the following certifications:

ENGLISH

  • TOEFL IBT: 100
  • IELTS Academic: 7
  • Cambridge C1 Advanced
  • Linguaskill General: 180
  • TOEFL Home edition: 100

FRENCH

  • TCF 500
  • DALF C1
  • C1 French certificate delivered by Sciences Po Summer School (CIEP label)

Programs eligible for the Luksic Scholarship at Sciences Po:

School of Public Affairs:

  • Master of Public Policy
  • Master of European Affairs 

Paris School of International Affairs: 

  • Master in International Governance and Diplomacy
  • Master in International Economic Policy
  • Master in International Development
  • Master in Human Rights and Humanitarian Action
  • Master in Environmental Policy
  • Master in International Energy
  • Master in Journalism and International Affairs
  • Master in International Security

The Luksic Scholarship includes: Full tuition coverage and a monthly stipend, based on a cost of living analysis, to cover living expenses for the entire program duration (2 years). 

Applicant Characteristics and Eligibility: Please refer to Sciences Po Application page as Sciences Po manages the admissions and selection processes of these programs. 


An information session was organized between Luksic Scholars Foundation and Sciences Po that took place on October 27th, 2022. It included a presentation from Sciences Po, as well as a conversation with two Luksic Scholars regarding the application process and their program experience. You can find the event recording below:

The Luksic Scholars Foundation launches the second edition of The Luksic Scholars Fund for alumni community

After the success of The Luksic Scholars Fund 2021, the Luksic Scholars Foundation invites community members to once again apply for up to US $5,000 of financial support. Applications are now open and will close Friday, October 21st, 2022.

The Luksic Scholars Fund is an internal initiative of the Luksic Scholars Foundation to accompany and support the members of its Scholar Community after they have partaken in a program offered by the Foundation, in an effort to provide them with continued professional development opportunities. 

Following the successful edition of The Luksic Scholars Fund 2021, which granted US $46,000 to 13 Luksic Scholars, the Luksic Scholars Foundation invites Luksic Scholars to apply to the 2022 edition of the Fund (hereby referred to as “the Fund 2022”). 

Scholars may apply to receive up to US $5,000 in funding. The total allocation for The Fund 2022 is US $50,000.00-, therefore the Foundation expects to finance a minimum of ten initiatives.

In this version, the Fund will finance specific initiatives with measurable results and that respond to one of the following development points:

  • Leadership skills as an agent of change in their area; 
  • Specific competencies in key areas for their career or organization; and/or 
  • Knowledge and research that contributes to their field.

Applications will be open from 09:00 CLT on Monday, September 12th, 2022 until the deadline of Friday, 21st October 2022 at 23:59 CLT. 

If you are a Luksic Scholar (defined as participants of the academic programs supported, or coordinated, by the Luksic Scholars Foundation) and have already created an account within the Luksic Scholars Portal, please click here for more details. If you are a Luksic Scholar but have not created a Luksic Scholars Portal account yet, please contact Gabrielle Trasatti, Community Coordinator, at info@luksicscholars.org to receive the link enabling you to create your profile. 


The opinions and conclusions presented in the works carried out by the Scholars who receive or have received funding from the Luksic Scholars Foundation are the sole property and responsibility of those who have expressed them and do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Foundation.

In establishing this Fund, the Foundation does not endorse or support these opinions or conclusions as it has only sought to motivate Scholars to carry out initiatives that allow for their professional development.

Luksic Visiting Scholars: research opportunities for Chilean academics at Stanford and Harvard

During the second half of this year, Stanford and Harvard universities in the United States will open applications for the “Luksic Visiting Scholars” programs. Both aim to support the development of research in any discipline carried out by Chilean academics.

In order to promote the development of interdisciplinary knowledge from a local perspective, in addition to linking Chilean academia with the world and vice versa, the Luksic Scholars Foundation has coordinated support for these two research opportunities with applications opening this year. 

The “Luksic Visiting Scholars” programs are developed in collaboration with the Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS) of Stanford University and the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies (DRCLAS) of Harvard University. Both allow accepted applicants to spend a semester in the United States to develop research related to their areas of expertise.

During their stay, researchers will be able to liaise with other academics, make use of the university facilities, as well as request to sit in on certain classes. Below, we have outlined the programs’ requirements, application processes, and details:

Luksic Visiting Scholars at CLAS – Stanford University 

Requirements: to have a doctorate AND a current academic position in a university or research institution, or in the case of independent researchers, to have a demonstrable professional career. A letter of Sponsorship is required which means applicants need a nomination endorsement by a Stanford University faculty member, either affiliated or not affiliated to CLAS. Women and researchers from regional institutions in Chile are especially encouraged to apply.

Application dates: October 1st, 2022 to January 31st, 2023 (by 11:59 p.m. PST). Those interested must apply directly to Stanford CLAS. All application materials must be submitted in English.

Location: California, USA. 

Duration and terms: four months. Scholars can begin their research period in September 2024, January 2025, or April 2025 to coincide with the fall, winter, and spring terms at Stanford.

Includes: a stipend, support for housing and transportation, and library access.

An information session was organized between Luksic Scholars Foundation and Stanford CLAS that took place on September 12th, 2022. It included a presentation from Stanford CLAS, as well as a conversation with two Luksic Scholars regarding the application process and their program experience. You can find the event recording below:

Luksic Visiting Scholars at DRCLAS – Harvard University

Requirements: Scholars must hold a Ph.D. and be proficient in both written and spoken English. Applications will be assessed on the basis of the applicant’s qualifications, the quality of an applicant’s research plans, and the relevance of both to the Center’s mission and objectives. 

Application dates: September 5th, 2022 to November 7th, 2022. Interested individuals should apply directly to Harvard DRCLAS. All application materials must be submitted in English.

Location: Massachusetts, USA.

Duration and deadlines: four months. The program will be carried out during the 2023-2024 academic year.

Includes: a stipend, travel support, emergency health insurance coverage, and access to university services.

An information session was organized between Luksic Scholars Foundation and Harvard DRCLAS that took place on September 13th, 2022. It included a presentation from Harvard DRCLAS, as well as a conversation with two Luksic Scholars regarding the application process and their program experience. You can find the event recording below:


It is important to note that all selection, admission, and fund allocation processes are managed exclusively by the academic institutions. The Luksic Scholars Foundation has no participation in said processes.

Applications for MIT’s tuition-free Political Science doctoral program open in October 2022

Apply for a tuition-free doctorate in Political Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US: a program that seeks to push the scholarly frontier.

The MIT Political Science Luksic Fellowship, established in 2010, is granted annually to one Chilean candidate who is accepted onto the Doctorate of Political Sciences program at the Department of Political Science at MIT. The Fellowship contributes to the overall comprehensive funding package that MIT offers to all candidates on the program and in the case that a Chilean candidate is not accepted for that academic year, the Fellowship may be offered to a candidate from one of the following countries: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, or Panama.

How does the MIT Political Science doctoral program work?

The doctoral students at MIT explore the empirical phenomena that produce new scholarly insights—insights that MIT believes improve the way governments and societies function. 

The program requires preparation in two of the following major fields: American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Models and Methods, Political Economy, or Security Studies, and MIT recommends that candidates take a broad array of courses across their two major fields. Students are also free to take subjects in other departments across the Institute.

What does the program entail?

  • Candidates will take classes in statistics, advanced statistics, empirical research methods, and political philosophy. First-year students also partake in a one-semester seminar that introduces the principles of empirical and theoretical analysis in political science.
  • Field research is also encouraged and it helps candidates to develop close working ties with faculty members engaged in major research activities. As for second-year students, there will be a second-year paper/workshop which is designed to involve students in advanced research problems under faculty supervision.
  • Lastly, the program incorporates two examinations (a general written and oral examination) and a doctoral thesis. The doctoral thesis requires at least one year of original research and data collection and the thesis process includes a first and second colloquium and an oral defense.

What does the program include?

The funding package provided by MIT includes 6 consecutive years of full tuition and health insurance coverage, plus a 12-month stipend in years 1-5 and a 9-month stipend in year 6, provided students remain in good academic standing. Funding consists of a combination of fellowships, research assistantships, and teaching assistantships.

Application:  

The 2022-2023 admissions cycle will open on 9th October 2022. All applications for the PhD programs must be submitted online through GradApply by December 15, 2022 for Fall 2023 admission. Students are admitted as degree candidates only for September 2023. 

Please check MIT’s Graduate Admissions webpage for application details. 

Additional resources:

MIT Graduate Admissions FAQs

MIT Specifications for Thesis Preparation

Check out where MIT PhD Alumni are working around the world


An information session was organized between the Luksic Scholars Foundation and the Department of Political Science at MIT that took place on August 23rd, 2022. It included a presentation from MIT, as well as a conversation with two Luksic Scholars regarding the application process and their program experience. You can find the event recording here.

Master in Global Affairs: two Luksic Scholars share their experience at Schwarzman College, Tsinghua University

Over 90 people representing more than 11 universities throughout Chile attended the Schwarzman Scholars-Luksic Scholars Foundation’s information session to learn more about The Luksic Fellowship of the Schwarzman Scholars program. Luksic Scholars, Felipe Flores (2020) and Hugo Wood (2019), joined the event to share their experiences.  

Last month, the Luksic Scholars Foundation in collaboration with Schwarzman Scholars held a virtual information session to share more on The Luksic Fellowship of the Schwarzman Scholars program: an annual funding designation for one Chilean or Latin American candidate for the Master’s program at Schwarzman College at Tsinghua University.

The event included welcoming remarks from the Luksic Scholars Foundation followed by an informative presentation by Schwarzman Scholars. The main part of the webinar was dedicated to an open-ended conversation between Luksic Scholars, Felipe Flores (Class of 2020) and Hugo Wood (Class of 2019) who shared their program experience with the more than 90 interested candidates. The webinar concluded with a Q&A session. 

Below, you will find a snippet of Felipe and Hugo’s experiences in the program, alongside their advice for those considering applying:

Why did you decide to apply?

→ Felipe: “I found this program to be a great way to see where my career path could go as when I graduated college I wasn’t sure what my next step was going to be. I’ve also always been curious about China so the Chinese aspect of the program drew me in.”

→ Hugo: “Panama recently celebrated their 5th anniversary of diplomatic ties with China and I had been working in the public sector before this and therefore, essentially in the process of making that happen, and as a spokesperson, I realized that if I wanted to keep being involved in Panamanian-Chinese ties I needed to go to China.” 

What was the language immersion component like?

→ Felipe: “You’re supported via the program the entire way through the language-learning experience and you take Mandarin classes which definitely help. With a basic knowledge of Chinese, I feel you can get around, even in the first semester. 

→ Hugo: “The [Schwarzman Scholars] program is key in this component because they give you tools so you feel confident before you arrive in Beijing. Once you do arrive, you start to take formal language classes.”

Can you describe the academic part of the program? 

→ Felipe: “The first thing you do every morning is go to Chinese class. In regards to the rest of your schedule, you choose how you would like your schedule to be and adapt it to your interests. You also take courses outside of the Schwarzman College campus and that is- you take courses at Tsinghua University and that’s where you get to meet Chinese classmates. 

→ Hugo: “Tsinghua University is the alma mater of the previous two presidents of China so that itself gives you a sense of the academic rigor. Schwarzman is unique in the sense that you have a core curriculum, but aside from that, you can craft how you want the experience to be.”

What was life on campus like?  

→ Felipe: “In terms of the housing, you live in a building with the rest of the Scholars which is a great experience in itself and it lends itself to creating great bonds with your peers from whom you’ll learn a lot. Also, the program itself attracts people who love China so you already have something in common with your peers. As for traveling, you’re encouraged to explore and venture out.”

→ Hugo: “I loved interacting with the other Scholars and also with the special guests who visited campus to give the keynote speeches. In terms of extracurricular activities, I was part of the debate team and the basketball team. I was also able to travel around China with my peers, discovering the history and culture of China.”

What advice would you give to those looking to apply?

→ Felipe: “Give yourself plenty of time to apply, fill out your application early, and have people revise it and give you feedback. If you’re planning on applying for the next cohort, start applying today.”

→ Hugo: “Be confident in your statement of purpose and try to share that in a way that really shows who you are. Be genuine and authentic – don’t hesitate to showcase your true passions in your application.”

Want more information on the Schwarzman Scholars program? Please click here

APPLY TODAY. Interested individuals must apply directly to Schwarzman Scholars. The application cycle for the Class of 2024 opened on 13th April 2022 and will run until 20th September 2022. Candidates selected during this cycle will participate in the program from August 2023 until July 2024.


More about Felipe and Hugo:

Felipe Flores:

Luksic Scholar, Master in Global Affairs, Schwarzman College, Class of 2020

Felipe Flores has a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology & Secondary in Physics from Harvard University. His interests include the healthcare, pharmaceutical, and biomedical industries to improve regulation and research practices. He is currently a medical student in Chile. 

Hugo Wood:

Luksic Scholar, Master in Global Affairs, Schwarzman College, Class of 2019

Hugo Wood has a Master’s in Law and International Development from Tulane University and a Master’s in Public Policy from The London School of Economics. He is currently a Government Affairs & Policy Senior Manager of Venezuela, Central America & Caribbean for Johnson & Johnson and an Associate Professor of Behavioral Economics and Political Science at Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua.

Five benefits of completing a Master’s degree

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.

The challenges and opportunities of education post-pandemic: what professors learned in a new iteration of the Sciences Po Faculty Seminar

In June, a group of five Chilean academics traveled to France to be part of an international conference on education, organized by Sciences Po. This annual event brings professors together from around the world to exchange knowledge, and experiences and advance the search for new and innovative teaching methodologies.

Each year, Sciences Po organizes an international conference on pedagogy and through the Sciences Po Faculty Seminar program, a select group of Chilean academics is chosen to participate. This year’s conference focused on the challenges and opportunities of education post-Covid-19 pandemic, the development of skills in students, the creation of new teaching methodologies, and the flexibility of evaluations.

The objective of this seminar is to create a space that allows for the exchange of new strategies on pedagogical innovation and best practices within the classroom, as well as forming a community among those participating. 

This year, five professors from Chile traveled to Paris, France, to be part of this 4-day opportunity organized specifically by the Institute of Capabilities and Innovation of Sciences Po. The first two days consisted of a pre-Workshop seminar solely for the Chilean professors and on the following two days, the professors were able to participate in the International Teaching and Learning Workshop which brought together around 30 experts in pedagogy from around the world. 

One of the Faculty Seminar participants, Marianne Daher, Assistant Professor at the School of Psychology of the Pontificia Universidad Católica, described the seminar as an opportunity for great personal and interpersonal development. She says, “what I liked the most was being able to firsthand experience the workings of the Institute [of Capabilities and Innovation] as we have a similar organization at my university called the Faculty Development Center. In addition, it was really interesting to learn about the Institute’s course offerings and its lines of innovation in creative writing and data visualization.” 

Paulina Gutiérrez, Assistant Professor at the Universidad Católica del Norte, shares a similar experience pointing out, “I have been able to learn new teaching and learning strategies to bring professors together and create a community, and what’s caught my attention the most has been the implementation of these in the classroom. Since my experience is mainly in educational leadership, I think the greatest challenge for us is how we work inside the classroom.” 

Regarding the process of exchanging experiences with other teachers, the Director of the School of Pedagogy in English of the Universidad de Talca, Mauricio Véliz, emphasized that this kind of opportunity “offers a space for intellectual, social and academic oxygenation because sometimes one loses a more global view of the educational phenomenon and training of future professionals, as well as having the opportunity to share with other teachers who have a common interest, but from different disciplines, which is something very positive”. 

Finally, the Director of Vertically-Integrated-Projects (VIP) of Universidad Mayor, Jorge Rosales-Salas, stated that “this is a wonderful experience to be able to change society through the use of innovative education. I believe that the projects that we can develop from here to the future, implementing thinking about skills, competencies, and even values ​​in our students, can make not only a better Chile but also advance both Latin America and the world.” 

After this version, the Faculty Seminar program -which has included Chilean professors since 2019- will have a total of 16 national participants who have been able to share experiences with other academics from universities such as Harvard, Princeton and The London School Economics, amongst others.