Friends UC: a key ally for the university
Friends of Catholic University in Chile, Inc. (Friends UC) has as its mission to support the Catholic University in its initiatives and projects. The philanthropic entity, which recently gathered in the «Big Apple» for its board meeting, seeks to continue attracting donors in the United States and to involve more alumni living in that country so that, together, they can continue to help the Catholic University, especially in scholarship programs.
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Friends UC holds board meeting in New York
In addition, other activities were carried out, such as a colloquium on the constitutional plebiscite, which was attended by alumni living in the United States. All the events were attended by Rector Ignacio Sánchez, who valued the contribution that the organization makes to the Catholic University.
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The giant steps of Javiera Riveros
The chemical engineer is the brain behind Bolsolution, a novel response to the problems of plastic pollution and food waste. Behind the successes of this entrepreneur, there is a life of effort, which was early valued by the UC, which supported her with the Talent & Inclusion program and the Leading the Way Scholarship, that is awarded by Friends UC, among others. «That there are people who have put money for scholarships is extremely relevant», she says.
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Friends UC Board of Directors meets in Chile for first time in three years
The U.S.-based organization, whose purpose is to support UC in its initiatives and projects, met at Casa Central on May 12 and 13.
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Raúl Álvarez: «If we want to survive as a society, we must feel that responsibility to help others»
The future civil engineer received the Cristóbal Conde Scholarship that is awarded by Friends UC, which allowed him to considerably reduce his student debt.
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Tatiana Martínez, Bachelor of Arts in English Linguistics and Literature
The 23-year-old studied with the Cristóbal Conde Scholarship, awarded by the donor of the same name with Friends UC. Thanks to this scholarship, she was able to dedicate herself completely to her education, and today, after graduating, she is about to graduate from the Master’s Degree in Translation UC.
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Friends UC holds a discussion on the political and economic situation in Chile
The organization analyzed the country’s current affairs with professors from the School of Government Roberto Méndez and Rodrigo Valdés, and the academic from the Institute of Political Science Valeria Palanza. The event was attended by the directors of the institution, as well as the rector Ignacio Sánchez.
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Radio Beethoven celebrates 40 years on the air by reaching more cities in Chile
Within a few weeks, the station celebrated both broadcasting for four decades, and completing one year with Universidad Católica, which acquired it in January 2020. During these 12 months, the radio has not only increased its audience by 20% – 30% but has also started broadcasting in Villarrica and has concrete plans to expand to other cities.
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President Sánchez meets with UC Alumni to talk about the pandemic and the constitutional process
In a series of online gatherings, President Ignacio Sánchez has met with UC graduates from around the world with the purpose of strengthening the connection between them and the university. First, an open meeting was held, in which Dr. Alexis Kalergis, a key actor in the Chilean vaccination process, also participated. Additionally, smaller meetings with alumni from different schools are being organized.
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News from the Endowment UC Project
Because knowing and understanding the Endowment UC Project is key to attracting more people to join in, a new social media, search engine marketing, and mailing campaign is under way, with positive results. Additionally, Mr. Alfonso Swett has been appointed director, replacing Mr. Francisco Silva.
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Visual Arts Museum (MAVI) celebrates 20 years
This important anniversary coincides with the recent agreement reached between Universidad Católica and the Yaconi and Santa Cruz families that created the MAVI-UC Foundation. Looking forward, the institution is focusing on promoting young contemporary art and the internationalization and digitalization processes.
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Vaccine testing in children and the arrival of Sinovac in Chile: Universidad Católica’s next steps in the fight against Covid-19
The university is working on protocols that, if approved, could lead to the beginning of trials in children age 3 and older. Sinovac Biotech, the pharmaceutical firm responsible for the CoronaVac vaccine, widely used in Chile, would contribute with most of the funds needed for the studies. Meanwhile, Sinovac could arrive in Chile during the second semester, transforming the country into a vaccine production and distribution hub for the region.
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Universidad Católica and Universidad de Chile hosted a meeting with the elected constituents to share the findings of project “Tenemos que Hablar de Chile
Of the 155 constituents recently elected to rewrite the Chilean Constitution, 101 attended the online meeting. An occasion on which they not only learned about the main results of the project but also got to share their own thoughts and hopes concerning the process that will start shortly. “A true dialogue platform has been developed in our country.
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Rector Ignacio Sánchez presents Annual Account 2020
In his speech, Mr. Sánchez highlighted the main achievements of the past year, and also commented on important issues, such as the need to review the 2018 higher education reform, which is affecting the financial sustainability of the system.
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Sendoff Ceremony 2020
A new group of 11 Leading the Way grantees started their study abroad program at Drexel University, in Philadelphia. The students are part of the 5th Leading the Way group, and successfully completed all the program’s stages.
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New Leading the Way grantees attend their first Friends Circle
Excited and curious, full of questions and eager to start their experience in the United States. That was the general feeling of the students that won the 2020 Leading the Way (LTW) scholarship who attended the last Friends Circle of 2019, and who are about to travel to the US for a five-week study abroad program at Drexel University.
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Board of Friends UC meets in New York City
Friends of Catholic University in Chile, Inc. celebrated a new board meeting in New York City, the second of the year, with the main objective of overseeing and discussing the progress of projects sponsored by the Foundation.
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President Ignacio Sánchez presents Annual Account 2018
The Pontifical Catholic University of Chile celebrated its 131st anniversary, occasion on which UC President, Ignacio Sánchez, delivered his Annual Account 2018, highlighting the main achievements of the past year. President Sánchez specifically referred to the effort the university has made regarding the promotion of gender equality within the institution. Likewise, he emphasized the implementation of protocols, regulations and policies that strive to educate and prevent any kind of sexual violence. He also talked about UC’s catholic identity, stating that the goal of the institution is to educate the student body in the values of integrity, active involvement in Chile’s development, common-good orientation and interest in the public sphere.
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Friends Circle: Leading The Way Scholarship Program
On November 28th, a new session of Friends Circle of the Leading The Way Program was held at Campus Oriente UC. The first three cohorts of LTWayers participated this time, along with the members of the fourth generation that will travel to Drexel University, PA, in January 2019. Three American exchange students were invited to join the event, which counted with the presence of Sava Thomas, president of Friends UC, and Roger Thomas, member of the Board of Friends UC.
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Advancing Towards the Goal
Since last year, UC has been working hard on the Endowment campaign to reach the initial goal of US$ 30 million. More than half of this amount has already been raised, and additional funds are committed to it. The campaign is going to last until the end of 2019, continuing to approach successful businessmen and senior executives, and all the alumni through a massive campaign covering mailing lists and social networks.
In the following minute-and-a-half video, prominent alumni who are successful journalists explain why it is important to join this effort.
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Leading The Way, Year 4 has begun!
Classes began in August of this year, with over 200 applicants, a record high number for the Center. We could only select 20 candidates from an impressive pool of students. Our year 4 cohort of students all diligently attending classes every Friday to embark on this amazing scholarship program.
We have initiated our rounds of Global Classroom Sessions where our Leading-the-wayers connect via live streaming with their University of Drexel counterparts. This has always been one of the most exciting components of the program because students get to interact with one another and begin to foster international relationships, which on many occasions develop into life long friendships!
Soon students will begin to create their professional portfolios, with reference letters and application essays for the study abroad component of the program.
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Conde Scholarships: encountering new challenges
Since its establishment in 2013, the Conde Scholarship has benefited 90 vulnerable students with 40 «Bridge the Gap” grants (scholarships covering the difference between the government-sponsored stipend and the actual tuition cost) and 50 financial-aid scholarships, for students that have shown outstanding academic excellence in both the school and university level. Currently, the selection process for 2018 is underway, which will benefit 55 new students: 50 financial-aid scholarships, and 5 «Bridge the Gap” grants plus financial-aid scholarships.
Today, some of the recipients are preparing to exercise their profession and contribute to society with what they are passionate about. Read the bulletin attached with the testimony of three recipients. We invite you to watch the video of the Scholarship Award Ceremony of 2018 with the words that Cristóbal Conde addressed to the scholars.
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UC Dialoga: Women at the Center of the Dialogue
«Women in UC: Current Advances and Challenges” is the topic that brought together the university community in the fifth version of UC Dialoga. This year, the participants reflected on the following discussion table topics: How to Advance in Equity; Chile: The cultural Change We Want; Training and Preparation for Leadership; Perspectives on the Development of Women in UC; and Women, Sexual Abuse and Violence. All the reflection that arises from the dialogue is collected in a report, which is delivered to the Senior Management, and becomes an important input for decision making.
Check the figures that describe the Chilean women today in the attached document.
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UC top level research in Chile-Japan Forum
Astronomy, seismology, biomedicine and sustainability were some of the topics addressed at the third Chile-Japan Academic Forum, in the Japanese city of Nikko, organized by the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Universidad de Chile and the University of Tokyo. Forty of our professors participated in this forum, which is part of the UC internationalization project that seeks to promote top level research on issues of mutual interest for both countries, generate joint publications, foster academic internships and professors visits, and strengthen links with Asia.
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130 Years of the university
With enthusiasm and in the presence of many members of the UC community, the anniversary of the University was celebrated. The Rector of the University made a speech in which he presented the institution’s traditional public account and referred to the Higher Education Reform and the recent takeover of Casa Central. With regard to the latter, he appreciated the dialogue that was generated with student representatives and the support for the agreements reached with the occupants of Casa Central, which made it possible to put an end to the takeover within three days.
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Project Endowment
Two years ago, the ambitious project of creating an endowment fund began, with the aim of ensuring the future of the University in the long term and thus continuing to contribute to the development of Chile. The Rector of the University, Ignacio Sánchez, during his public account, reported that half of the initial goal of US$30 million by 2018 has already been raised and that this endowment fund will be very important for the development of UC.
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Ranking QS
UC achieved an unprecedented position in the university ranking table, which is prepared annually by the English consulting firm Quacquarelli Symonds (QS). While last year (2017), the University ranked 137, this year it climbed to the 132nd place. It is also ranked first both in Latin America and Chile. Considering the ranked institutions, UC is in the top 13% of the ranking. In addition, taking into account that there are more than 26,000 institutions worldwide, UC is among the top 1% of universities worldwide.
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Gandarillas Collection
As part of the activities to celebrate the 130th anniversary of the University, the exhibition of viceregal art: Travesía de la fe. Arte y cristianización en el sur andino [Journey of Faith. Art and Christianization in the Southern Andes,] was inaugurated at the National Museum of Fine Arts of Santiago. The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage, Alejandra Pérez, the Museum director Roberto Farriol, members of the Joaquín Gandarillas Infante Foundation, the Rector of the University, Ignacio Sánchez, and members of Senior Management.
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Board Meeting in New York
The Board of Friends of Catholic University in Chile, Inc. meets every 6 months: every April in Santiago, Chile, and every October in New York – some members of the Board live in Chile and some in the US. The main objective of these meetings is to oversee and discuss the progress of projects sponsored by the Foundation.
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Friends UC co-sponsors public policy conference
A group of young Chilean professionals living in the US, all involved in public policy studies, organizes this event every year in order to discuss public policy issues pertinent to the development of Chile, such as health, education, pensions, migration policy, urban planning, disaster prevention, gender gap, and constitutional reform.
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Friend´s Colloquium about Philanthropy
As part of the Board Meeting in October in New York, one important event was the Colloquium on Philanthropy, in which the Board Members and invited guests participated. The topics discussed were “How to foster a philanthropic culture among students and alumni at the UC” and “How to fundraise from American alumni”.
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UC Starts Fundraising Campaign for UC Endowment Project: “Creating a Better Country Together”
Chile needs world-class universities with ever-growing impact on the country’s development, with this challenge in mind, Catholic University started a fundraising campaign to create an endowment that will ensure sustainability in the long term, with greater autonomy, independence and freedom in their work, and will continue to provide increasing quality to the development of Chile.
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Philanthropic activities and encounters with scholarship recipients were part of the Annual Board meeting agenda in Chile
Friends-UC board meeting was held in Chile, during the 3rd and 4th of April. In addition to the meeting, the work agenda included two thematic colloquia on Health and Education, meetings with scholarship recipients of the Leading The Way and Cristóbal Conde Scholarship programs, as well as other activities related to the UC Endowment Project.
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Colloquia were held on public-private collaboration dilemmas and the role of the UC in the fields of Health and Education
In the context of the Friends-UC board meeting in Chile, two thematic colloquia on public-private collaboration dilemmas and the role of the UC in the fields of Health and Education were held at the Catholic University. The Colloquia were attended by Rector Sánchez, members of the Board of Friends, UC officials and academics, and special guests.
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Annual Board Meeting in New York
The program of the annual meeting of the Board of Friends held in New York City began with a colloquim regarding “Chile and the future: The reform of higher education and the socioeconomic context of the country.” The colloquim was lead by Rector Sanchez and Roberto Mendez, president of GfK Adimark and a member of the Board of Friends. The colloquim was attended by members of the Board and by a number of invited guests – both Chileans living in the United States and residents of the United States with interest in the topic.
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Honoree as Philantropist of the Year to Sava Thomas
The President of Friends UC was honored as Philantropist of the Year at the Annual Dinner of the Chilean North American Chamber of Commerce on October 26 in New York City. “What has motivated me most is to work with the Rector, his team and the extraordinary Board of Directors that Friends has, and to see the achievements that we have made despite the difficulties we have faced.’
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Inauguration of “Friends Circle”, a discussion group from the LTW Program
This year we are pleased to announce the inauguration of Friends Circle, an English discussion group made up of LTW scholars who have already completed the formal part of the program. Friends Circle is designed to bring these prior LTW participants together on a periodic basis to discuss a current event, an article, or other topics in English. Friends Circle will offer prior LTW scholars continued exposure to English and will promote their cohesion as a community. The group’s name is a tribute to the sponsoring foundation, Friends of Catholic University, Inc., and also recognizes the friendships developed by LTW scholars during the formal part of the program. Friends Circle has met twice this semester, and on one of these occasions spent time with the current group of LTW participants, to share their experiences from the United States and discuss the topic of cultural awareness.
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The UC inaugurates the first English Corner in Casa Central’s Biblioteca Escolar Futuro
The new space dedicated to English language learning will benefit more than 14 million students, from the seventeen highly-vulnerable educational establishments that are associated with the Casa Central’s Biblioteca Escolar Futuro, located in Santiago. This project is made possible in part by donations from Friends of Catholic University in Chile, Inc.
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Members of the Board of Friends UC meet and talk with grant recipients about their experiences.
Members of the Board of Friends UC., met over lunch with recipients of the Cristóbal Conde Scholarship and the “Leading the Way” Scholarship that provides students with an intensive course in the English language plus an opportunity to expand their knowledge of the English language at a summer program at Drexel University in the USA.
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Pianist Gustavo Miranda-Bernales performs a recital to a full house, as part of the agenda of activities of the Board Meeting in Chile.
Gustavo Miranda-Bernales, Chilean pianist and US resident, was invited to perform a recital at the UC, as part of the activities in connection with the Board Meeting of Friends of Catholic University in Chile, Inc. The pieces performed included those of renowned composers like Haydn and Chopin as well as more contemporary works. The young musician started his career at eight years old. Below, he talks about his experience of living in New York and his future prospects.
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Board of Friends UC holds an executive meeting in Chile and takes part in educational and philanthropic activities.
A meeting of the Board of Friends of Catholic University in Chile, Inc. took place in Chile on April 11 and 12. During their stay, the Board members also took part in numerous parallel activities such as colloquiums, seminars, meetings with grant recipients and cultural events.
Alejandro Aravena wins the 2016 Pritzker Prize
Professor Alejandro Aravena from the School of Architecture of Catholic University (UC) won the prestigious 2016 Pritzker Prize. The distinction comes to acknowledge Professor Aravena’s rising name in the profession as he was also appointed director of the 2016 Venice Architecture Biennale.
Professor Alejandro Aravena is the first Chilean to receive this important prize, acknowledging a career on the rise.
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Annual meeting of the Board of Directors of Friends of Catholic University in Chile, Inc. took place in October in New York
This year´s meeting of the Board of Directors of Friends of Catholic University in Chile, Inc. (Friends-UC) took place on October 29 and 30, 2015 in New York City. In addition to the Board, the meeting was attended by Dr. Ignacio Sanchez, President of the Catholic University.
In connection with the Board meeting, Friends-UC organized a meeting with alumni from the University who are currently pursuing postgraduate studies in the United States to discuss current challenges and opportunities for the university and its graduates in different areas.
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UC President Ignacio Sánchez visits the University of Notre Dame
UC President Ignacio Sánchez was welcomed to the University of Notre Dame by the President of the University, Reverend John I. Jenkins, C.S.C, and by the Vice-Presidents of the University. Together they discussed the existing programs of academic exchange and the perspectives for new collaboration with the UC.
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New Congregational leaders of CHRISTUS Health visit the University.
As part of the development of its Faculty of Medicine, and addressing the challenges of an increasingly competitive Chilean health care market, the Catholic University in Chile decided in 2012 to start working together with CHRISTUS Health, an international Catholic, not-for-profit health system, owned by the Sisters of Charity of The Incarnate Word from San Antonio and Houston, Texas, in its Health-Care Services Network.
The partnership has been evolving positively during the last years, and this last September 2015 the new Congregational leaders, Sisters Kevina Keaton and Teresa Maya, visited the University and the Network so as to learn on site about the advancements.
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International Relations Office organizes a successful International Fair
The International Fair recently took place at the atholic University in Chile in a festive atmosphere. The event aims at providing the student community with information on international exchanges, encouraging those interested in participating in an exchange to find out more about the over 300 UC partner universities abroad.
As part of this activity, over 200 exchange students represented 117 of the 300 universities with which the UC has an agreement. Over 3,000 people took part in the Fair.
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