Felipe Álvarez

Luksic Scholarship at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford

Lawyer, Legislative Coordinator at CLAPES UC, Political Advisor

The knowledge gained at BSG has been fundamental to boost my work in the public service with a desire to contribute to the development of the country.”

The Luksic Scholarship awarded by the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford allowed me live in Oxford for one year with my family and earn a master’s degree in public policy.

Besides the excellent experience that provided an opportunity to know intensively a different culture and generate strong bonds of work and friendship with colleagues from all over the world, the knowledge gained there, in the context of the academic rigor of one of the most prestigious universities in the world, has been fundamental to boost my work in the public service with a desire to contribute to the development of the country.

Since my arrival in Chile, I have served as a parliamentary adviser and legal coordinator of a prestigious think tank. Also, I have practiced my profession in the private sphere. Without a doubt, the Luksic Scholarship was a critical moment in my career.

Alfonso Galarce

Columbia SIPA Luksic Fellowships for Chile

Chief Budget Planning Officer, Chilean Ministry of Environment

Being a practitioner of martial arts for more than 18 years, I like to identify with the concept of the samurai, whose literal translation would be “those who serve” or “servers”, reflecting a spirit of service. As a public administrator, I have worked in the public service for more than 15 years, in different areas.

My first steps as a professional were in the United Nations Development Programme, specifically in environmental issues. From there, my interest in caring for the environment arose, which I was able to deepen thanks to the Luksic Fellowship, which allowed me to pursue the MPA program in Environmental Science and Policy at Columbia University. Currently, I work in the Climate Change Office of the Ministry of the Environment of Chile, in charge of the area of ​​international financing and negotiation, in a challenge that invites us to work together in the face of a global problem, contributing with domestic actions.

I sincerely appreciate the support received to generate this change in my life, and thus contribute to this collective effort in pursuit of sustainable development for our society, both for current and future generations, and especially thinking about the future that holds for my daughters.”

The support of the Luksic Fellowship was fundamental to achieve a change in the course of my professional career. The first-level training provided by Columbia, allowed me to deepen my knowledge in some areas of environmental sciences, which complemented my training as a public administrator. Specializing in public policies allowed me to make a transition to the area of ​​international financing and negotiation in climate change.

That year at Columbia was a wonderful experience. Being with students of the most diverse nationalities, with very different life stories and academic formation, with professors and researchers of the highest level, helped me to open my own horizons. All this in a city like New York, one of the most cosmopolitan in the world, in which we embarked on a family adventure with my wife Leila and my two daughters, Isidora and Florencia. We remember that stage as a small treasure in our lives.

Today I work on a subject that I consider relevant, with a public service purpose of the highest level, transcending national boundaries and working towards common global objective. My service vocation can be complemented with a new challenge in my life, which I am very proud of, since as of October 24, 2018 I am a volunteer of the Third Firefighters Company of Ñuñoa, the Los Guindos Pump, in Santiago. I am starting what I hope will be a long journey of service to the community, motivated by philanthropy and fraternity.

I sincerely appreciate the support received to generate this change in my life, and thus contribute to this collective effort in pursuit of sustainable development for our society, both for current and future generations, and especially thinking about the future that holds for my daughters.

Loreto Cox

MIT Political Science Luksic Fellowship

Researcher, Centro de Estudios Públicos, Chile

The PhD at MIT has been a tremendous learning experience. The flexibility of my program allowed me to take courses in different departments of MIT and also at Harvard University, all of them of the first level.”

I am a commercial engineer with a mention in economics and a sociologist from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Between 2010 and 2011 I worked as a researcher at the Center for Public Studies (CEP) and then until 2013 as an adviser to the education minister Harald Beyer

In 2013 I began the Political Science PhD program at MIT, having been awarded the first ever Luksic Fellowship. My studies at MIT focus on empirical methods and political economy, and I am currently finishing a thesis on the gap between expected and actual results of higher education, based on an extensive case study in Chile.

The PhD at MIT has been a tremendous learning experience. The flexibility of my program allowed me to take courses in different departments of MIT and also at Harvard University, all of them of the first level. In addition, thanks to the support of the Luksic family for my doctoral thesis, I conducted a panel survey of students of Chilean higher education, obtaining a sample of more than 14,000 respondents in 2016 and 4,000 in 2017. This survey has not only allowed me to develop my thesis, but also to contribute to the world of public policies in higher education.

I am looking forward to continuing to contribute to my country’s development through research and education, and a PhD from MIT is a tool I will always value.

Gonzalo Jiménez

Harvard DRCLAS Luksic Visiting Scholars

CEO, PROTEUS Management & Governance and Professor of Corporate Governance, Universidad Católica de Chile

My time as Luksic Visiting Scholar in the beloved DRCLAS in 2001, as one of the first two in this program, represented a very special stage for me in various ways, and somehow marked a “before” and an “after” in my career professional.

In the first place, it responded to an old desire to experience the extraordinary Harvard University, having a very broad access to its courses, at HBS and KSG in my case, to doctoral seminars with several Nobel prize winners, talks, workshops, libraries, and services. This opened up a world of interests, new criteria for me and new perspectives that continue to accompany me almost 20 years later. For example, my current specialization and doctoral thesis in corporate governance – I feel that I was born intellectually there; and responded to the implicit challenge of creating impact in society, which I received from that experience in 2001.

DRCLAS and the Luksic family gave us a very rich community of colleagues, friends and close – all the Luksic Scholars – with whom we continue to share until today.”

Secondly, I must emphasize the tremendous warmth, openness and extraordinary disposition with which I was received in Kirkland, the old house of DRCLAS, by the entire team, including Steve Reifenberg, Marcela Rentería, and many others that would be too long to list; among whom we should mention fellow Visiting Scholars: the Rockefeller Scholars of Brazil, Argentina, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Cuba, Ecuador, etc., who represented a true family in Cambridge; besides giving me new and lasting perspectives on their own countries, mine, and the USA. I could even venture to say that this scholarship made me rediscover Latin America, when I visualized it from Harvard, with the novel elements of judgment that gave me these experiences.

Third, and on a more personal level, DRCLAS represented a professional respite; an opportunity for reflection, self-questioning, and rethinking my professional projection. In my case, I believe that from this experience I went from being a practitioner to a scholar-practitioner, changing my orientation, focus and my own objectives in my work world.

Finally, DRCLAS and the Luksic family gave us a very rich community of colleagues, friends and close – all the Luksic Scholars – with whom we continue to share until today; and feeling in each encounter a special empathy and union for having had the privilege of living this extraordinary experience.

Alfredo Prieto

Harvard DRCLAS Luksic Visiting Scholars

Archeologist and Investigator, Universidad de Magallanes

I have devoted more than 30 years to the investigation of the prehistory and ethnography of Fuego-Patagonia, publishing some results in national and international scientific journals. A key argument of my work is that the knowledge of the natives of the southern end of the American continent can contribute to the discussion of universal themes of archeology.

This experience allowed me to investigate archives related to the Fuego-Patagonia region obtained by various researchers, mainly Samuel K. Lothrop (Harvard) and Charles Wellington Furlong (Dartmouth College). That was a critical opportunity in my career as a researcher.”

Coming from a philosophy background, I took an early interest in cultural and archaeological heritage, joining the Institute of Patagonia of the University of Magallanes. I earned a master’s degree in archeology from the University of Cambridge, UK, and a doctorate in prehistoric archeology from the Autonomous University of Barcelona, ​​Catalonia, Spain.

I also participated in the formation of the Center of Studies of the Austral Man of the University of Magallanes and have been editor and member of editorial committees of several related magazines. I was president of the Editorial Commission of the University of Magallanes and a member, for two periods, of the Advisory Council of Karukinka Park in Tierra del Fuego, belonging to the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).

In 2013 I spent a semester in Cambridge, MA as a Luksic Visiting Scholar at the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies. This experience allowed me to investigate archives related to the Fuego-Patagonia region obtained by various researchers, mainly Samuel K. Lothrop (Harvard) and Charles Wellington Furlong (Dartmouth College). That experience was a critical opportunity in my career as a researcher.”

One of my main interests is the study of the ancient techniques used by the peoples of Fuego-Patagonia, its influence and development, to which I have dedicated articles, chapters and books.

For more on my work during my time as a Luksic Visiting Scholar, please read here.

Frank García

Faculty Exchange Luksic Grants

Professor of Law, Boston College

I’ve been teaching international economic law and working on collaborative projects with Latin America and other regions for over 25 years.

In the area of clinical education, we created an innovative partnership between our legal aid clinics and the PUC clinics, piloting an inter-disciplinary approach to community legal services that pairs law students and social work students under faculty supervision, and which has now become the model for all PUC law clinics. In the interface between fundamental research and law reform, the grant also funded two high-impact projects that brought together a number of BC and PUC law professors.

The Boston College Law School’s Luksic grant was transformative across our curriculum and in our growing relationship with the Pontifical University of Chile.”

The first project was an innovative community-level investigation of alternate hydroelectric projects in the Los Rios region of Chile and their social and environmental impact. The second, my own, was a project on reforming international investment law that produced a volume of new scholarship, a global network of reform-minded scholars, and a major international conference co-organized by our two law faculties.

The Boston College Law School’s Luksic grant was transformative across our curriculum and in our growing relationship with the Pontifical University of Chile.  Leveraging our shared tradition of Catholic legal education, the grant funded the first translation of St. Alberto Hurtado’s masterpiece, Social Morality, and an international conference on the life and work of this great Chilean, Jesuit and PUC alum.

As a scholar actively engaged in global law reform efforts and a former Associate Dean for Global Initiatives, I know first-hand the critical role that funding plays in making good work—and work that does good for society—possible.  We are grateful for the Luksic family’s generosity.

Stephanie Xu

Conducting Business in Chile (CMIX)

Head of Marketing, XMAX and Blockchain Entrepreneur

I am a 2016 Tsinghua MBA student with a master’s degree from the University of St Andrews, Scotland and a B.A. from the Beijing Foreign Studies University. With 11 years’ team management experience, I focused on marketing and business development for fast growing IT companies covering education, mental healthcare, environment and finance industries. Right now, I am head of marketing and public relations in XMAX foundation (an entertainment startup), starting my new adventure in Blockchain technology.

The first-hand knowledge, the unforgettable experience, together with the life-long friendship with the Chilean buddies made the whole trip more than amazing!”

In the past, I have joined different kinds of overseas exchange programs for students in the US and UK, and I have personally organized different overseas group industrial visits for governments in South Korea and South Africa. Out of all those experiences, I think C-MIX in Chile is so far the best program I have ever participated in! The first-hand knowledge, the unforgettable experience, together with the life-long friendship with the Chilean buddies made the whole trip more than amazing!

Like many exchange programs, C-MIX also includes lectures on various MBA topics. But unlike most other programs, not only prestigious professors but also professionals or even diplomats were our surprising lecturers in Chile. Since Chile is so far away and different from China, the topics covered in the lectures themselves can be very engaging and entertaining.

Before our departure, we were well equipped with the basic knowledge of Chile. And while we were there, the visits to the local giant companies of different industries ignited our curiosity of this faraway land again! From the classrooms to the factories, our eyes were opened to how this resourceful country competes with world-class agriculture like nowhere else in the world.

For me, the highlight of the program is the mix of the Chilean and Chinese MBA groups, not only for studying but also in life. During the trip, we were put into mixed groups. From working on a program together to exploring our Chilean buddies’ everyday lives, this short trip made a long-term impact on us all. The activities out of class actually empowered us more! If I have another chance, I would definitely go back to Chile for the friends, food, and wine!”

Rob Nerenberg

Faculty Exchange Luksic Grants

Associate Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, University of Notre Dame

I am an associate professor in the department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences at the University of Notre Dame (UND), and had previously taught a course on sustainability and urban infrastructure at UND.

But the course lacked depth in several key aspects of urban infrastructure. In discussing with my colleague at the Catholic University (PUC) of Chile, Prof. Pablo Pasten, who has a leadership role in a Chilean national center for urban sustainability, we felt there was an opportunity to improve the class by recruiting experts from UND and PUC. Then the course could be taught concurrently to students at both universities, providing a more comprehensive and global view.

Our course was offered to students at UND and PUC, in the fall semester of 2017, via Zoom videoconferencing. Based on the positive feedback, we hope to teach again in 2019.”

Thanks to funding from the Luksic grants, we were able to develop the course, called “Global Perspectives on Urban Sustainability.” The funds primarily supported a two-day planning workshop in Chile. The workshop allowed faculty from a range of colleges and departments to learn about resources at each institution, and brainstorm on class content and format. The course was offered to students at UND and PUC, in the fall semester of 2017, via Zoom videoconferencing. Based on the positive feedback, we hope to teach again in 2019.

Ana Bulic

Harvard Kennedy School Luksic Fellowship (MPP)

Head of Department for Bilateral Cooperation, Ministry of Finance, Sector for European Union and International Financial Relations

There is no place like HKS and in a way it will always feel like home. The Luksic Fellowship enabled me to have this wonderful experience that has upgraded my professional development and expanded my horizons.”

The two years I spent at Harvard Kennedy School were the two best years of my life.

Since the moment I entered HKS and had my first coffee at the HKS cafeteria with other students, I felt like I belonged with that group of people. Both students and professors were driven to make the world a better place, because we knew everyone can make a difference. Each student had a cause that was worth fighting for. Whether it was education, health policy, cyber security, politics or microloans, each of us had a vision about what can be done in the world, what changes could be introduced trough public policy measures to make life better especially for underprivileged citizens, and what was necessary to provide decent human living conditions around the globe. The professors were great, first-class professionals with practical experienced professionals and top academics that were always ready to encourage students to discuss and develop ideas.

There is no place like HKS and in a way it will always feel like home. The Luksic Fellowship enabled me to have this wonderful experience that has upgraded my professional development and expanded my horizons.  Since then, I have leveraged my education at Harvard to develop my career in public service in Croatia mainly in the Ministry of Finance and I have dedicated my professional life to develop this field.

Sally Yuan

Conducting Business in Chile (CMIX)

Vice President, Risk Management, Dongxing Securities Corp.

I have a diverse professional background, starting at Deloitte Consulting for three years, mainly focusing on the realm of how the Basel Accord applied to China’s commercial banks, with clients such as China Development Bank, China Merchants Bank and others. Later I worked for Sinochem Finance Company as the assistant general manager of risk management focused on the company’s overall risk management structure and business risks. Now I work in the risk management department of Dongxing Securities Corporation as Vice President, responsible for the risk management of asset management and bonds investment businesses.

Most important of all, I’ve made many good Chilean friends, and we share our feelings about work, life and hobbies. We really had a great time, and we shall be friends for life.”

I have two degrees from Tsinghua University, both a BA and MBA in business from the School of Economics and Management. While I was a student in the MBA program, I gained a very valuable life experience from the C-MIX program during our trip to Chile, and it was an honor to be chosen. It was one of the most memorable experience in my life.

I learned so much about Chile from site visits and classroom lectures, as well as the invaluable interactions with our Chilean counterparts. We also had the chance to talk to great Chilean companies and visit their factories; it was really amazing! To this day I still remember the great presentations given by those companies and financial institutions. 

Most important of all, I’ve made many good Chilean friends, and we share our feelings about work, life and hobbies. We really had a great time, and we shall be friends for life.