Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (UC): Doctoral training for Chile
The high presence of foreign students in UC doctoral programs -currently 1,270, with 42% women- reflects the growing internationalization of these programs, and extensive cooperation with foreign universities, student and academic mobility that has not ceased despite the pandemic. “Doctoral training allows independent researchers to be trained in academia, in the productive sector and also in the public sphere, key aspects to contribute to the development of the country,” says the rector Ignacio Sánchez in a column published by El Counter.
“Research and creation of new knowledge in all areas of knowledge is a fundamental mission of universities. In this work, the doctoral training allows to train independent researchers who will develop in the academy, in the productive sector and also in the public sphere, key aspects to contribute to the development of the country. This research and transfer to society is key, since it is associated with cultural, social and economic growth, which is aimed at improving people’s quality of life.
At UC, we have held the reception ceremony for the 246 students who have been accepted into our doctoral programs,of which seventy (close to 30%) come from abroad; from countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, India, Mexico, Panama, United Kingdom and Venezuela, among others. This presence reflects the growing internationalization of our programs, which is also based on extensive cooperation with foreign universities, student and academic mobility that has not ceased despite the pandemic, and numerous research projects and co-supervision of theses from double degree with more than sixty universities in the last 12 years. Through nearly forty doctoral programs offered by our university, we want to provide students with opportunities to develop and cultivate knowledge in areas ranging from the arts, neuroscience, engineering and the humanities.
“Since 1935, the date on which the first doctoral program was created at UC, -in the area of Theology-, more than 2,300 doctors have graduated from our institution, which means a very significant contribution to the development of the country”. – President Ignacio Sanchez
Since 1935, the date on which the first doctoral program was created at UC, -in the area of Theology-, more than 2,300 doctors have graduated from our institution, which means a very significant contribution to development from the country. Currently, there are a total of 1,270 students who are studying one of our Doctoral Programs, with 42% of them women and a wide variety of backgrounds from previous studies in universities and educational establishments. In recent years, a very significant increase in inclusion has been observed with the greater presence of a great diversity of students.
We are planning the studies and work of the doctoral programs so that in the development of their research projects they can combine innovation, entrepreneurship, social commitment and ethics, all fundamental aspects to achieve comprehensive scientific and professional training. However, just as key as training is being able to link this training to the needs of the people and the country. For this, it is essential to work to connect research with industry and civil society, generating this virtuous triad of work projected for the country.
“At UC we have a great commitment to training independent researchers, so we are committed to providing all the facilities to carry out research projects successfully, cultivating cutting-edge knowledge and developing interdiscipline, in order to be able to contribute to the construction of a better country”. – Rector Ignacio Sanchez.
Undoubtedly, in this process of doctoral training, internationalization is a key contribution, since being able to share knowledge with foreign centers and promote joint experiences will strongly contribute to the development of better projects. At UC we have a great commitment to the training of independent researchers, so we are committed to providing all the facilities to carry out research projects successfully, cultivating cutting-edge knowledge and developing interdisciplinarity, in order to contribute to building a better country. In this way, together with contributing and transferring new knowledge to society, a fundamental mission of universities is fulfilled, which permanently serves the development of the country”.