How UC Chile Global Engagement Creates New Opportunities for the University Community
Thanks to strategic planning, ongoing evaluation, and a strong commitment to strengthening ties between the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (UC Chile), international networks, and institutions worldwide culminated in January with visits from several key foreign university leaders to the UC Chile campus, aiming to deepen relationships and foster global collaboration.
photo_camera The work led by the Office of Partnerships and Development, under the Office of the Vice President for International Affairs (VRAI), has helped position UC Chile as a key destination for international university delegations visiting Latin America. Photo by Karina Fuenzalida, Office of Communications.
Established in 2022 as part of UC Chile’s evolving approach to international relations, the Office of the Vice President for International Affairs (VRAI) created the Office of Partnerships and Development. This office implements a strategic plan aimed at positioning the university as a globally connected institution—one that actively engages with partners across regions and contributes to international dialogue on global challenges.
The Strategic Engagement with Academic Units and Management area has played a central role in recent years by positioning UC Chile as a must-visit institution for international partners touring Latin America. Through these efforts, UC Chile has created spaces where visiting institutions and UC Chile stakeholders can connect, paving the way for conversations that often develop into meaningful initiatives.
Meanwhile, the Agreements and Evaluation area has focused on formalizing and strengthening partnerships that foster research collaboration, global mobility, knowledge exchange, and innovation. Furthermore, streamlining the formalization process has significantly reduced turnaround times for establishing agreements.
“The way we engage globally is key—it lays the groundwork for all internationalization efforts. Opening doors to global engagement, efficiently formalizing agreements and opportunities, and following up on our international connections are all essential for monitoring and improving our global outreach,” - stated Ana María Sepúlveda, Director of Partnerships and Development.
The purpose of global engagement is to build bridges between the knowledge developed at UC Chile and that of other institutions. This involves working alongside international partners to help tackle shared challenges and serve the common good in an interconnected world.
UC Chile's international connections grew even stronger in 2024. The university hosted 85 international visits and carried out 27 outbound missions, with a focus on participating in both regional and global academic networks. These activities led to the renewal of 54 international agreements and the signing of 118 new ones. This resulted in successful research collaborations and expanded global mobility opportunities for students at institutions worldwide.
Building on that momentum, January 2025 welcomed high-level representatives from global universities and networks. These included Jenny Dixon, Provost of Universitas 21; Abhishek Singh, Chair of International Relations at the Indian Institute of Science; Mike Hildreth, Dean of the Graduate School and Associate Provost at the University of Notre Dame; Beatriz Blázquez-Parra, Vice President for International Mobility at theUniversity of Málaga; Francis Müller, Professor at Zurich University of the Arts; and Béla Merkely, President of Semmelweis University.
These visits resulted in the signing of new collaboration and mobility agreements, the promotion of new international opportunities for the UC Chile community, and the launch of conversations that may lead to future joint initiatives.
Strengthening Ties with India
In August 2024, UC Chile former President Ignacio Sánchez and former Vice President for International Affairs Lilian Ferrer made a landmark visit to India, aiming to forge new academic partnerships with institutions across the country. Following this initiative, UC Chile welcomed Abhishek Singh, Chair of International Relations of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), to campus in January.
IISc is a prestigious public institution based in Bengaluru (Bangalore) and a leader in higher education and research in India. Founded in 1909, it is widely recognized for its excellence in scientific and technological research.
The purpose of Singh’s visit was to deepen the bilateral relationship between the two institutions. A cooperation agreement was recently signed to formalize joint efforts in research and innovation—particularly in the fields of engineering and science. In addition, a student mobility agreement was finalized, enabling semester-long exchanges between UC Chile and IISc.
“India possesses a rich history of innovation, especially in science, engineering, and medicine. We hope to open new pathways for UC Chie students to engage with institutions in India and continue strengthening our collaboration in research and knowledge creation. In this regard, the mobility of students, faculty, and professionals between universities in both countries is an essential first step toward building shared goals—not only for the Global South, but for national development as well,” emphasized Cristian Díaz, Director of Global Mobility.
During his visit to UC Chile, Abhishek Singh held meetings with leadership from the Graduate School, the School of Medicine, the Faculty of Biological Sciences, and the UC Innovation Center. He also participated in a seminar alongside Jenny Dixon, Provost of the Universitas 21 network. His visit concluded with a trip to UC Chile’s Villarrica campus, where he toured the EduFabLab and participated in a discussion focused on the Mapuche people.
Expanding Collaboration Through a Leading Global Network
Thanks to a strategic focus on relationship-building and active participation in global academic networks, UC Chile has become a key destination for institutions in these networks as they seek to strengthen ties in Latin America.
One such visit took place on January 13, when Jenny Dixon—Provost of Universitas 21 (U21)—was welcomed by UC Chile former President Ignacio Sánchez and former Vice President for International Affairs Lilian Ferrer. This visit followed a series of discussions at international forums on leveraging network opportunities for the UC Chile community.
The main objective of Dixon’s visit was to promote and encourage UC Chile community participation in U21’s working groups, especially in the lead-up to the 2025 summit. During her visit, she also delivered a keynote presentation at the UC Chile 2025 International Higher Education Summit.
This visit marks another milestone in UC Chile’s ongoing engagement with the U21 network. Notably, in November 2024, a UC Chile delegation led by former Vice President Ferrer traveled to Shanghai to participate in U21 activities.
