Internationalization: Strengthening UC Chile’s Presence in the World

Global outreach and the search for opportunities that enrich comprehensive education are the central pillars of UC Chile’s educational project. Under this premise, in 2025 the Office of the Vice President for International Affairs promoted a series of initiatives that strengthened the exchange of knowledge: from an increase in mobility experiences and the arrival of international academics, to the signing of new alliances and special programs with different faculties. 

As UC Chile Vice President for International Affairs Maria Montt notes, 2025 was “a great year for UC Chile in the world, with important recognitions and a strong sense of social commitment, which was present in all ‘ambassadors’ of our University in other countries. I also highlight the work for the 2026-2030 Development Plan, which will be permeated by internationalization. 

Through these actions, UC Chile advanced its mission of offering more and better opportunities for its community, and deepening its relationships with institutions on different continents. 

New ways to reach the world 

Students and academics representing UC Chile abroad this year took part in various educational experiences that shaped their academic and personal development, through initiatives focused on social commitment, leadership, innovation, and knowledge exchange. 

This year, nearly 1,500 students arrived from all continents to be part of the UC Chile academic programs, while more than 900 UC Chile students had the opportunity to study abroad. 

In 2025, 16 special programs were developed in collaboration with partner universities. Alongside these programs, internships and work placements were offered, which together allowed 536 international students to enjoy an academic experience at UC Chile through new forms of mobility. 

Students came from institutions such as Kookmin University and Ulsan University in South Korea; Universidad Anáhuac, México; University of Cambridge, United Kingdom; Auckland University, New Zealand; and University of California, Tufts University, and Syracuse University, from the United States, among others, encompassing a wide network of collaboration  with universities of Mexico, Peru, Colombia, the United States, South Korea, England, Singapore, New Zealand, France, Spain, and India. This diversity reflects the growing global interest in UC Chile and the strengthening of its international academic ties. 

Building networks around the globe 

UC Chile has continued to promote links with different international networks and partners with the goal of addressing global challenges, creating new opportunities of collaboration, and continuing to position UC Chile as a leading institution in Latin America. 

A milestone that marked the year was that we once again ranked first among universities in Latin America and the Caribbean in the Global 2026 QS Ranking, representing an important recognition of the work of the university community in positioning ourselves as an institution of academic excellence to the world.

UC Chile renewed 41 international agreements, ensuring the continuity of partnerships that support exchange programs, academic cooperation, and joint projects with prestigious institutions in various countries. Added to this figure are 87 new agreements, including initiatives such as internships, of these, 65 correspond exclusively to academic agreements, significantly expanding the university’s collaborative network. 

In total, UC Chile ended the year with 833 cooperation and mobility agreements in force or under renewal, consolidating the growing international interest to work with the institution, and the increasingly prominent role that UC Chile plays in global higher education. 

In 2025, UC Chile received 91 visits from various countries around the globe, including the United States, Australia, Spain, Portugal, Mexico, France, and China. In addition, UC Chile was represented abroad, in countries such as Singapore, Thailand, South Africa, Brazil, and Colombia, among others, by authorities, delegations, and academics. 

Among the main international activities, UC Chile President Juan Carlos de la Llera led missions aimed at strengthening the University’s participation in international networks and consolidating ties with strategic partners, resulting in new opportunities for academic collaboration and exchange. 

The first international visit undertaken by the new UC Chile Leadership Council took place last May in California, United States. The objective was to participate in the annual summit of the global network Universitas 21. The activity had an intense agenda, which included visits to Stanford University, University of California, Davis and University of California, Berkeley; as well as visits to innovation centers and technology companies such as Google. 

The connection with the world was consolidated as a collaborative and cross-cutting effort throughout UC Chile. This year, various meetings and gatherings were held with representatives of international relations from all faculties, as well as with academics and representatives from partner universities and institutions, with the aim of working in a more coordinated manner, setting priorities and establishing common points for the upcoming 2026-2030 Development Plan. 

Inspiring global student leadership from UC Chile 

The promotion of global skills, interculturality, and leadership took center stage on UC Chile campuses last year, through activities welcoming the international community and creating spaces to address challenges together. 

In seven sessions, with over 200 participants from UC Chile and international universities, the Global Conversations initiative addressed topics such as youth leadership, global citizenship, sustainability, migration, justice, decolonization, and interculturalism. 

In a space for exchange that connected students, academics, and professional staff from UC Chile with members of international universities, conversation were held with University of Technology Sidney (UTS), in Australia; Sophia University in Japan; the Red de Artesanos de la Unidad, comprised of Pontificia Universidad Católica de Perú, Universidad Católica Boliviana San Pablo (UCB) and our university; and the Hemispheric University Consortium (HUC) network, comprised of 14 universities from all over the Americas. 

UC Chile hosted the fifth version of the international program for young leaders “Transforma e impacta,” developed  in conjunction with member universities of The Triad, comprised of Technological Institute of Monterrey, Mexico, University of the Andes, Colombia, and UC Chile. The initiative gathered over 60 students from Mexico, Colombia, and Chile at Campus San Joaquín, who worked together in the design and proposal of solutions to global challenges. 

In addition to these initiatives, the China–Latam Youth Challenge to Alleviate Poverty competition, conducted jointly with Tsinghua University, brought together more than 120 students from various universities during the first semester. Organized into international teams, students developed innovative solutions aimed at addressing multidimensional poverty at the global level. 

Finally, the UC Chile community responded to Pope Francis’s call under the theme “Pilgrims of hope,” actively joining the celebration of the Jubilee Year. Students, administrative staff, assistants, faculty members and authorities, representing all levels of the University, shared stories and experiences, and took part in this global gathering aimed at reconciliation, spiritual renewal, and hope in the face of the challenges currently facing humanity.

For its part, the 2025 Meeting of Cultures established itself as one of the most popular events of the year. In this third edition, it brought together members of all levels of UC Chile and representatives from 12 countries: Afghanistan, Japan, Haiti, Mexico, France, Pakistan, Peru, India, Venezuela, Iran, Cuba, and China. Nine embassies and cultural institutions also participated in the event, among them Campus France, Education USA, and the Confucius Institute, along with the embassies of Morocco, New Zealand, South Africa and Indonesia, offering attendees various opportunities for internationalization. 

The event also included nine units and student groups from UC Chile linked to internationalization and interculturalism, which offered activities, information, and tastings of traditional foods that brought together the University community. 

In total, it is estimated that the various stands received 1,075 people, while the public had the opportunity to vote for their favorite stand. The three winning countries were Pakistan, Venezuela, and Peru, reflecting the enthusiasm, diversity, and participatory spirit that characterizes this annual event. 

These meeting and welcoming spaces directed at the UC Chile community in 2025 promoted a university life that reflects the diversity and dynamism of a campus connected to the world.