Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (UC): Student representatives enhance their training in activities marked by attendance

Provide a space for training, knowledge, dialogue and work for members of Student Centers, Territorial Departments, Academic Departments, the UC Student Federation and the Student Affairs Department . That was the goal of the 2022 Mini Summits, which took place in a hybrid format between January 10 and 17.

The instance, in its online format, had more than 15 talks on different topics, and that were relevant for the student representatives to learn vital information about the processes and aspects within the UC and the DAE. In this sense, workshops and talks were given, accompanied by spaces for dialogue, in areas such as the responsible use of social networks, the management of sporting events, scholarships and student financing, first aid, among other things.

For Loreto Campos, director of Student Development, the importance of carrying out this activity lies in the fact that the different directorates of the Student Affairs Directorate and all the services they provide are made known. “In the specific sense of Student Development, it is important, because many times we talk about the university with many acronyms, with many names, and it is difficult to understand. If we manage to get student representatives to understand them, it is much more likely that the rest of the student body can leave. familiarizing”, began by saying the director.

“Many times we talk about the university with many acronyms, with many names, and it is difficult to understand. If we manage to get student representatives to understand them, it is much more likely that the rest of the student body will be able to familiarize themselves” – Loreto Campos, Director of Student Development

He also highlighted the relevance of the different representatives being able to download the information to their colleagues. “It is important so that our services, and those of Health and Well-being, of Sports, are known. They, as leaders, can transmit all that information to their peers.”

But the representatives were not only found in virtuality. The summits were able to return to face-to-face meetings, something that was very well received by the students and members of the DAE.

The summits back to face-to-face
Since 2018, the representatives had not been able to meet with each other in this important instance of meeting and dialogue. Therefore, seeing each other’s faces was essential. First, it was the turn of the presidents of each UC student center and the territorial councils on Wednesday, January 12.

Then, the space was given on Friday, January 14, so that the academic councils could learn what the DAE does and find out about everything related to each address. And they did it hand in hand with their own directors, since Jorge Silva, director of UC Sports, María Paz Jana, director of Student Health and Well-being, and Loreto Campos, of Student Development, did not want to miss the summits, which on this occasion were held in the auditorium of the Innovation Center of the San Joaquín campus.

For Priscila Gallardo, in charge of Student Representation, carrying out face-to-face activities was very relevant, since it allowed to generate a sense of belonging, in addition to creating a greater bond with the student representatives.

“Seeing them in person is very positive. That strengthens the link. It is a way to get to know each other after a long time in the virtual. It was a very nice and pleasant instance, in which we were able to reflect together on the challenges that lie ahead in 2022. We believe that this work that we are starting can be very fruitful”, she explained.

“Seeing them in person is very positive. That strengthens the bond. It is a way of getting to know each other after a long time in the virtual world. It was a very nice and pleasant instance, in which we were able to reflect together on the challenges that come to us in this 2022”- Priscila Gallardo, in charge of Student Representation

Happy to see each other’s faces
If there is something that the representatives highly valued, it was being able to have the summits in person. Like the directors, the students who attended were happy to see each other and share in the Innovation Center.

For Emilia Urrejola, vice president of the Kinesiology student center, being able to get to know part of the university’s services from its directors and exchanging opinions with other counselors and presidents was something very valuable, especially since the interaction becomes more close to being present.

“It has been very good. I have learned a lot. There are many benefits and fees you didn’t know about. It has been very entertaining to know other dynamics and student centers. In addition to seeing people I haven’t seen in a long time. It has been very entertaining, especially because there have been different activities”, explained the fourth year student.

Nicolás Valdés, regional councilor for Social Sciences and Theology, valued the instance of knowing well who to turn to in case of needing help or information. “It has been super important before starting the academic year. Know who you can reach and ask for help and turn to. It has been quite helpful. It is relevant to be able to meet the representatives and to be able to talk and laugh. Somehow to be able to build ties for what will come this year in which we will work together. It is very good that the summit was held in person”, he concluded.