• Between October 09^th and 12^th, representatives of all the countries in Latin America and the Caribbean will participate in more than 50 lectures and symposiums at Universidad de Santiago de Chile, where they will contribute with their multidisciplinary views about the scientific, technological and cultural aspects of this geographical area.
• This important meeting will have the presence of the Argentinean poet Ernesto Kahan, who is part of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War Federation (Recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize 1985) and the renowned Brazilian economist and social scientist, Theotonio dos Santos, a leading exponent of the dependency theory.
• According to Dr Fernando Estenssoro, acting director of the Institute for Advanced Studies of Universidad de Santiago and member of the organizing committee, this fourth version of the congress seeks to strengthen the development of the scientific and academic thinking in Latin America, “In order to benefit the people in our region and the world, showing our points of view and our demands.”

On October 09^th, the opening ceremony of the “IV Congress on Sciences, Technologies and Cultures: Looking towards the future of Latin America and the Caribbean” was held at the Aula Magna of Universidad de Santiago de Chile. The activity was organized by the Institute for Advanced Studies (IDEA, in Spanish) of Universidad de Santiago to promote a multidisciplinary debate on different issues that affect this part of the world.

Dr Fernando Estenssoro, member of the organizing committee of the congress said that they had high expectations. The activity finished on October 12^th and it had the presence of more more than 2,000 academics from Latin America and the world.

According to Dr Estenssoro, the purpose of the activity is to offer a common space where academics and scientists can meet and study different phenomena of the Americas and the world.

“This is a multidisciplinary congress, where the experiences that are analyzed are considered from a regional point of view, even if they are local; that is to say, how they affect Latin America and the Caribbean, in relation to their current problems and the current world,” Dr Estenssoro said.

In this context, “It is a congress that seeks to strengthen the development of the scientific and academic thinking in Latin America,” he added. It covers phenomena of philosophy, political science, sociology and medicine, but from a multidisciplinary point of view and in relation with the region.

Contribution of the congress

Dr Estenssoro says that to arrange a multidisciplinary meeting like this means a big challenge, as it is logistically difficult to organize the schedule of so many specialists and, for example, to find a place to hold the activity.

The series of panels of the congress were “A contribution, because sometimes we talk about doing multidisciplinary or even interdisciplinary analyses, but how? And this congress helped to put in practice what we usually keep as ideas.”

Dr Estenssoro says that bringing this congress to life required important efforts and, as a consequence, people from different parts of the world were able to appreciate the spirit of Universidad de Santiago with regard to the development of research in all the fields of knowledge.

“It has been a huge challenge. We are proud of having held this congress at Universidad de Santiago because experts from all over the world were participating and they were able to see our efforts to develop these research lines,” he said.

“For the characteristics that the congress has, it is a pioneering activity in Latin America. There have been many disciplinary meetings; for example, historians in Latin America, political scientists in Latin America or linguists in Latin America; however, we are pioneers in this multidisciplinary meeting,” he explained.

New blood

Dr Estenssoro explained that the former versions of the congress were the breeding ground for many publications that are part now of the main debates in the most important universities in Latin America.

In this regard, “It is cutting-edge knowledge, it is what our researchers are developing now, that essentially strengthens the work done by Latin American academics and scientists,” he said.

“What is most important is that our scientists get to know each other, share, debate, and produce joint knowledge,” he added.

The organizers of this fourth version of the congress set three goals. “First, we wanted to get out of the local sphere, where the national domain has to contribute to regional integration; second, it had to involve interdisciplinary work, and third, the work had to be done by academic networks,” he said.

“The idea is that researchers at the continent get to know each other, learn of what is being done, work together and read publications not only from Europe or USA, but also from Latin America. All this to benefit people in our region and in the world, because we want to contribute with our points of view and our demands,” he added.

Renowned speakers

Several worldwide renowned researchers and theorists participated at the meeting held at Universidad de Santiago.

One of the speakers was, for example, Dr Ernesto Kahan, an Argentinean physician and poet who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1985), on behalf of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) Federation.

Theotonio dos Santos was another speaker. He is a social scientist, and renowned thinker and forerunner of the dependency theory. His ideas about the world economy based on an unbalanced model in which developed countries have a monopoly of the most important decisions and poor countries that produce raw materials have minimal returns, marked a milestone in the Latin American sociology

“He is one of the most important exponents of the dependency theory of the 60s. He came because our work matters to him,” Dr Estenssoro concluded.

Translated by Marcela Contreras

•  Dr Jenny Blamey, professor at the Faculty of Chemistry and Biology described the 13^th International Thermophiles Meeting as a very important opportunity for the development of research at Universidad de Santiago and in the country. Worldwide prominent figures in microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, biocatalysis and biotechnology, participated in the conference. This is the first time that this global meeting is held in South America and Dr Blamey was in charge of the organization.

   

  In her closing speech, Dr Jenny Blamey, professor at the Faculty of Chemistry and Biology of Universidad de Santiago, evaluated this global meeting as a very important opportunity for the development of research at Universidad de Santiago and in the country.

  Dr Blamey highlighted the scientific importance of this conference that always leaves its imprint on the research centers and the countries where it is held. This also happened in our university and it should be reflected on the country.

  During the activity, worldwide leading scientists in this field presented their top-notch studies.

  These experts in microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, biocatalysis and biotechnology informed about the progress in their specialities, in order to have a better understanding of thermophiles.

  The Thermophiles International Conference is a global meeting held every second year. For the first time the meeting was carried out in South America, under the general supervision of Dr Blamey, and with the support of an efficient team who coordinated different tasks for the organizing bodies: Bioscience Foundation and the Faculty of Chemistry and Biology of Universidad de Santiago.

  The program included sessions on topics like genomics and biochemical processes, keynote lectures and poster presentations.

  International experts like Dr Karl Stetter, Dr Michel Adams and Dr Juergen Wiegel met with students, researchers and Chilean and foreign scientists.

  They shared their questions and their knowledge about the last developments and potential biotechnological applications of thermophiles, which are considered key to science development in our country and the world.

  A space for discussion and proposals

  “For Universidad de Santiago de Chile, hosting and promoting this type of activity is essential, since our purpose as a public, state and complete university is to create, preserve, disseminate and apply knowledge for the welfare of society,” Dr Juan Manuel Zolezzi, President of Universidad de Santiago, said.

  The Thermophiles 2015 International Conference contributed “To our institutional essential work, as it became a space for discussion and proposals, in a multidisciplinary and pluralistic dialogue; on this occasion, in the field of extremophiles, a new important field worldwide, not only for biological sciences but also for industrial biotechnology,” he added.

  For his part, Dr Gustavo Zúñiga, Dean of the Faculty of Chemistry and Biology, highlighted the importance of having been selected to organize the activity and receive these distinguished scientists, and give the students the opportunity to ask questions and talk to them.

  Translated by Marcela Contreras

• Dr Alan Bennet, Executive Director of the University of California-Davis Center of Excellence that started operating in Chile this year, visited Universidad de Santiago de Chile. The purpose of the visit was to meet with professors and inform them about the opportunities that the center provides to work in partnership in order to create a platform for the development of collaborative research with the national agricultural-food sector. This is the first department that the renowned university has opened outside USA.

University of California-Davis Center of Excellence, the first department of this university outside USA, opened in Chile last April. Its purpose is to create a platform for the development of collaborative research with the national agricultural-food sector.

Its Executive Director, Dr Alan Bennet, visited Universidad de Santiago on August 26^th and met with professors at the university to inform them about the opportunities that the center provide to do collaborative work.

“We work with industries to detect problems, form work teams with experts at Universidad de California-Davis and at Chilean universities that are part of the program, and now we want to find the best researchers at Universidad de Santiago to include them in this project,” Dr Bennet said.

This center is part of the Attraction of International R&D Centers of Excellence program promoted by the Chilean Economic Development Agency (Corfo) that seeks to make Chile a regional hub of innovation. For this purpose, the center is already working with three national universities, i.e., Universidad de Tarapacá, Universidad de Talca and Universidad Andrés Bello, and Universidad de Santiago will be joining in soon.

Dr Pablo Zamora, Scientific Director of the Center and PhD in Biotechnology from Universidad de Santiago, was also present at the meeting. He explained that, in the short term, they would like to expand their research lines to other production sectors that could require solving problems too. Currently, their projects are focused on viticulture and oenology, besides the three main initial research lines: genomic analysis, microbial detection and prediction of and adaptation to climate change.

In this regard, Dr Zamora said that their work is mainly oriented to develop applied science, driven by the industry requirements. “Therefore, it is not a space for fundamental science, because we know that universities and technological centers are covering that area,” he said.

The team of UC-Davis Chile said that they are looking for partners to expand their research lines; this is the reason why they have considered Universidad de Santiago as a strategic partner, with the capabilities required to face the challenges posed by this joint work.

“We know a lot about Universidad de Santiago, because Pablo was a student at that university. Thanks to him, we know about the faculties and programs, and this is very helpful, because it allows us to recognize each other as research universities,” Dr Bennet said.

A center for the agro-industrial sector

The decision to establish this center in our country relates, in first place, to the historical collaboration links between Chile and California that date back to the sixties, to the government of Eduardo Frei Montalva. This agreement was ratified in 2008, during the first term of President Michelle Bachelet, giving origin to the “Chile-California Plan: a strategic association for the 21^st century.” Besides, both territories share similar geography and climate conditions, as well as similar challenges, like diversifying the energy matrices.

On the other side, the drought and constant frosts that affect the agricultural-food sector require effective solutions, and the science developed at universities could successfully address these problems.

During his presentation, Dr Zamora said: “We want to bring capable people and, at the same time, we believe that in Chile, there are many researchers working on these issues who care about contingencies, and we want to help them to strengthen their work.”

In this regard, Dr Zamora thinks that the fact of having this foreign institution in our country will lead to new business opportunities for the Chilean and global economy; to new developments and technologies and to their faster transfer to the market; to strengthening bilateral relations; to developing studies focused on the market to accelerate innovation; and to supporting the area of Life Sciences, with a special emphasis on the agricultural industry.

The Department of Technology Management (DGT, in Spanish) will inform the researchers who may be interested in this alliance of what the process will be to present project proposals.

Translated by Marcela Contreras

• They shared with 400 youngsters from 71 countries, met 15 Nobel laureates in the fields of science and received recognition for their enthusiasm and creativity in the picture that they took and sent to the organizing committee before their trip.
• Felipe Recabal Rivas and Eduardo Cancino Jaque, students at the Faculty of Science, and Renato Leiva Tubino, student at the Technological Faculty, represented Universidad de Santiago at the first version of this important science meeting for youngsters worldwide.
• The three students, together with Maricarmen Castro Amaro, student at Universidad de Chile, represented Chile in the activity that, according to the surveys, exceeded expectations.
• The group was accompanied by Dr Dora Altbir Drullinsky, director of the Center for the Development of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. She said that after the trip, “They came back highly motivated for what they are studying, aware of the impact that science may have on a country’s welfare and of the importance of personal efforts to have good results. This experience will mark them for many years, both personally and at their work in their disciplines.”

Felipe Recabal Rivas and Eduardo Cancino Jaque, students at the Faculty of Science; Renato Leiva Tubino, student at the Technological Faculty, and Maricarmen Castro Amaro, student at Universidad de Chile, were the only Chilean representatives at the first version of the World Science Conference- Israel (WSCI). They were accompanied by Dr Dora Altbir Drullinsky, director of the Center for the Development of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology.

More than 400 students from 71 countries attended the conference, and the four Chilean students fulfilled the requested tasks with enthusiasm and creativity, the abilities that this conference sought to foster.

The Chilean students received recognition for the creative picture that they took of themselves together with a moai a few days before leaving the country, showing their eagerness to participate. With this picture, they won the second place in the contest of most original photographs.

Besides, each student participated in groups made up of students from different countries and science disciplines, to promote collaborative work among scientists. Eduardo Cancino participated in a team that was recognized for its work in making one of the best posters of the conference.

Inspiration

For the students, the conference was a great experience, as “It reflected the great interest that Israel has for scientific activity, as a key part of development,” Felipe Recabal said after the trip.

He highlighted that working with international multidisciplinary teams showed him that “There is always more than one way of interpreting and analyzing a phenomenon, what makes science much more complete.”

Eduardo Cancino stressed how interesting the presentations were, particularly the ones given by researchers whose scientific-technological developments seemed “impressive to him.” “A significant factor was that they had received funding for their studies, what is very encouraging in research matters,” he said.

He added that, from his personal point of view, the experience shared by the speakers made him understand the importance of persistence and hard work. “Once, they were like us, so we have a long way of efforts and dedication to go.”

Renato Leiva highlighted the level of the organization of the conference and its goals. The conference sought “To inspire young scientists, and I feel that, at least in my case, I am now more eager to continue working in science and doing my best to contribute to my country and the world.”

He was surprised by the scientific environment in which Israel lives. “I was able to notice that young Israelis who I talked to are very eager to contribute to their country. I believe this enthusiasm should be replicated in Chile. What all Nobel laureates stressed the most (both in presentations and in conversations) was ‘Do not give up.’ I will use this message in my academic development,” he said.

For Maricarmen Castro, student at Universidad de Chile, the experience was “Out of this world!” “It put into perspective all I had thought about science since I was a girl. Listening to Nobel laureates and see how they got where they are now was very exciting and gave me a lot to learn. Effort, motivation and persistence are the key words to say ‘Eureka’ some day.”

Motivation for the future

For her part, Dr Altbir described the activity as “fantastic.” “The possibility of interacting with such renowned scientists as the 15 Nobel laureates and other scientist from different universities of Israel, plus the huge cultural diversity given by the students of 70 countries, and an environment that fostered creativity and imagination, made this conference a “once in a lifetime experience,” she said.

She added that she has been able to see that the students came back “Highly motivated for what they are studying, aware of the impact that science may have on a country’s welfare and of the importance of personal efforts to have good results. This experience will mark them for many years, both personally and at their work in their disciplines.”

The conference was held in Jerusalem and it was conceived to contribute to the cooperation and the sense of responsibility, for a better future for the new generations of scientists.

The activity was organized by the Hebrew University, the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel.

The Chilean delegation was supported by the Center for the Development of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (Cedenna) and the Israeli Embassy in Chile.

Translated by Marcela Contreras

• The benefit of using geophysical techniques to recover historical remains was one of the main conclusions of the “Taller de Geofísica aplicada al Patrimonio Críptico Heredado.” “By using mining technologies, we want to bring our country’s historical riches out of the depths of the Earth, without impacting the environment,” Dr Lucio Cañete, one of the organizers, said.

On July 02^nd, the closing ceremony of the third “Taller de Geofísica aplicada al Patrimonio Críptico Heredado” was held at the Conference Room of the Technological Faculty. The workshop was led by the Dean of that Faculty, Gumercindo Vilca Cáceres and was attended by several university authorities.

The workshop gathered together almost one hundred men and women of different ages and from different professional areas.

The workshop was given in the context of the outreach activities developed by the Technological Faculty. This is the reason why “We emphasized that the participants should not be part of the university community: to have an impact at a society level,” Dr Lucio Cañete explained.

The workshop

According to Dr Cañete, the purpose of the workshop was to give basic knowledge of geophysics and its potential applications to a general audience interested in the inherited cryptical material, “that is to say, a paleontological or archaeological resource that it is not visible, that remains under ground, covered by vegetation or ice.”

“We referred to gravimetry, seismology, magnetometry and electrical resistivity, which are used to prospect for mining resources. Chile is very rich in these resources,” the researcher said, regarding the techniques addressed during the workshop.

However, the team of experts led by Dr Lucio Cañete learned that these techniques could mean a significant contribution to a different type of excavation: the digs for the past.

“Chile has hidden riches that we want to reveal through these techniques: the riches of our past,” Dr Cañete said.

According to him, our territory is rich in archaeological elements; for this reason, we need the tools to unearth the past without altering the ecosystem.

“Historical research has shown that the first settlements in our territory started 13 thousand years ago. The first remains of human settlements in the American continent were confirmed in Chile,” he said.

“We have a whole rich past that must be revealed, but this must be done with techniques that will not impact the heritage while we are trying to bring it out,” Dr Cañete stressed.

Digging is a very intrusive method; therefore, if it is used, “The destruction of the evidence of the past is highly probable. However, geophysical techniques use disturbances that allow “seeing without touching,” he added.

Geophysical techniques

Gravimetry measures the variation of the strength of a gravitational field; magnetometry measures how a magnetic field changes; seismology, by means of man-caused little microseisms, allows to see what is under the surface, and, finally, the electrical resistivity measures the changes in ground resistance when introducing an electric current into the subsurface.

Regardless of the surface, the use of these techniques “Produce a sort of disturbance that does not affect the part of the patrimony that we want to know,” Dr Cañete said.

In this regard, the main goal of the workshop was to understand these techniques and see how their use in the mining industry can be a real contribution to surveying archaeological, historical and paleontological remains.

“We saw this and, and in our role as a public and state university, we called for the development of all these techniques that, although they are traditional in mining industry, could be used in a new scientific field: the field of the sciences that study the past,” he added

“By using these mining technologies, we want to bring our country’s historical riches out of the depths of the Earth, without impacting the environment,” Dr Cañete concluded.

Translated by Marcela Contreras

• The first day of the conference was very successful. Its purpose was to contribute to the making of sport public policies and to the development, research and impact of physical activity on our society. The activity was opened on July 1^st, at Espacio Isidora Aguirre, Universidad de Santiago, and it was organized by the School of Health, Sports and Physical Activity Sciences, with the collaboration of Universidad Católica de Valparaíso and Universidad de Valparaíso. 

   

  With the purpose of contributing to the making of sport public policies and to the development, research and impact of physical activity on our society, the first International Conference on Social Studies of Sport was opened on July 1^st, at Espacio Isidora Aguirre of Universidad de Santiago, and it continued on July 2^nd, at Universidad Católica de Valparaíso.

  The opening address was given by Professor Omar Fernández, Director of the School of Health, Sports and Physical Activity Sciences, ECIADES. “The seminar has the purpose of starting a debate on the development of big events carried in Chile and how these events are related to political, social and cultural processes that give additional meanings to this matter, which differ from the technical point of view of a coach or an athlete,” he said.

  “Social Sciences consider this as a more complex and complete phenomenon that demands a multidisciplinary view, with the contribution of anthropologists, sociologists, journalists, psychologists, historians and physical education teachers,” he added.

  “Universidad de Santiago has brought these issues to the agenda for reflection, debate and research and to see how different disciplines can contribute to the making of public policies, considering this sport and cultural phenomenon,” he said.

  “We have been discussing these matters for two years. Last year we had a seminar on Sociology of Sport with Pablo Alabarces, an expert in this field in Latin America, and specifically on football, and we have had some colloquiums this semester,” Professor Fernández added.

  “Therefore, our University is opening a space for Social Sciences to contribute to this debate, with the idea of furthering the policy-making in the area of sports, considering different points of view to enrich this matter,” he said.

  With regards to how this initiative was started, professor Fernández said: “It started in the course of Sociology of Sport, that considers different aspects for evaluation, relating the course with colloquiums and seminars; but, at the same time, it is related to outreach, from the sociocultural field. ECIADES opens the University to debate, where different agents and researchers meet to take responsibility for this cultural phenomenon.”

  For his part, Jorge Montealegre, Director of the Outreach Department of our University, said: “The decision of promoting the reflection on public policies related to sports and physical activity in the organization and security of mega events is a big feat.”

  Sport and State

  Director Montealegre added: “We see sport as a focal point, as a cross-cutting issue, able to be approached from different disciplines and by different civil, social and State organizations.”

  With regards to this idea, Rodrigo Soto, psychologist and professor of the Sociology of Sport course at ECIADES, stressed that his year they have the goal of conducting studies and providing consultancies on the social aspects of sports, understanding it as a social good, what would allow to reflect on role of the State, among other things.

  “When we think of policies on security in sport events, particularly football, we believe that there are more social agents than the ones that participate today. The space given by the University makes debate possible and allows recognizing that there are more social agents involved in making public policies on security for this type of event,” Professor Soto said.

  “This activity considers other aspects of sport. Sport should not only be considered as a motor practice and bodily movement, because there are social, economic and political factors that are involved,” Professor Soto concluded.

  Organization of the conference

  The event was organized by the School of Health, Sports and Physical Activity Sciences of Universidad de Santiago, the School of Psychology of Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, and the Center for Sociological Research of Universidad de Valparaíso. These three bodies formed the Sociological Studies of Football Cluster. Also, the Social Studies of Sports Center was started this year.

  Translated by Marcela Contreras

• The “Second LASER-TO-BIM Conference 2015” organized by the School of Architecture of Universidad de Santiago was positively evaluated. It aimed to promote among academics and business people the use of digital representations of objects by means of laser and BIM technology. The software scans the object by means of a laser and creates a scale model, what allows seeing its details in 3D on a computer.

With the purpose of bringing together all the initiatives related to the use of laser scanning tools and their application in BIM (Building Information Modelling) software environments,  the “Second LASER-TO-BIM Conference 2015” was held at the MIDA’s Room at the School of Architecture of Universidad de Santiago.

The activity was organized by the School of Architecture and it intended to promote the massive use of this technology in the engineering, architecture and building industry and its inclusion in the curricula of university programs.

BIM GROUP

The founder of the BIM Group of Universidad de Santiago, the architect Gastón Herrera, explained that this activity was oriented to company representatives and people related to the academia.

He added that “the BIM Group of Universidad de Santiago is an initiative of the School of Architecture, which has been working with this software program for more than 10 years. For this reason, the idea is to contact other professionals from different fields, like topography and mechanics, to allow information transfer among different areas and transform this integrated work of the BIM Group in a model for the country.”

He explained that they have signed several information transfer agreements and have given several courses for a variety of programs, to generate products and a common language for different disciplines.

BIM-Chile and MOP

For his part, Danny Lobos, a member of BIM-Chile, said that the activity brought the industry, the academia and customers together to learn how this technology works. For this purpose, some companies were invited to present examples where laser had been used to generate 3D models with BIM technology.

Lobos said that some remarkable aspects of this conference were “the willingness of the industry to show its models, which are not many, as this an area that is recently developing in Chile, and the interest of the academics, mainly from Universidad de Santiago, who have included this technology in the curriculum so that students learn to use the system before they graduate.”

Alejandro Gómez Grandón, consultant to the Roads Unit of the Ministry of Public Works (MOP, in Spanish) invited software and hardware companies to work with universities, so that students become familiar with this technology and know how to use it when they enter the labour market.

The system

The Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology uses files of intelligent and parametric objects; it interprets them logically and then stores them.

This is the difference with CAD, the other software used to generate objects scale representations, which only uses 2D or 3D, without differentiating elements.

The filed data is obtained through a laser that scans the object and generates points. The BIM system stores them and transforms them in a 3D image on the computer.

The focus of the BIM Group of Universidad de Santiago- made up of professors Gastón Herrera, Marta Baeza, Erik Parraguez y Luis Vallejo- is the interdisciplinary BIM training that will allow to strengthen the digital curriculum of the university, and to connect the university with cutting-edge technology and productive sectors of the country.

BIM-Chile is made up of professionals from different universities who collaborate with different higher education institutions.

Representatives of the Ministry of Public Works, the School of Architecture of Universidad de Santiago, BIM-Chile, Microgeo, BDL Group, the School of Civil Construction of Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, GEPUC UC, Construsoft, Pixis, POINT CLOUD+EBIM, RE-Studio, Bentley and Autodesk, also participated in the activity.

Translated by Marcela Contreras

• Between August 30^th and September 04^th, 2015, internationally renowned researchers, and professors and students in the field of microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, biocatalysis and biotechnology, will meet at Universidad de Santiago to discuss the importance, developments and potential applications of extremophile microorganisms, which are able to thrive in extreme conditions. The Thermophiles 2015 Meeting is a world conference held every two years. For the first time, it will take place in South America and Universidad de Santiago will host its 13^th version. 

Between August 30^th and September 04^th, 2015, world-class scientists and students of the field of microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, biocatalysis and biotechnology will meet at Universidad de Santiago for the 13^th International Thermophiles Meeting 2015, a multidisciplinary forum held every two years to discuss the latest scientific developments, applications and importance of these microorganisms that live in different extreme environments of the world.

The purpose of this conference is to increase the knowledge of scientists and students in this research field and, at the same time, to invite them to explore its importance for biological sciences and industrial biotechnology.

“This is an excellent opportunity not only to expose our scientists and students to world-class science and scientists in this field, but also to propose new approaches and views to contribute to science in our country and Latin America,” Dr Jenny Blamey said. Dr Blamey is a professor at the Faculty of Chemistry and Biology of Universidad de Santiago and is in charge of the forum organization.

“It is important to mention that Chile is considered one of the six geographic areas with the most diverse extreme environments in the planet; therefore, the scientific matters that will be discussed during this conference are very relevant to the future scientific and technological development in this field in our country,” she added.

Scientists invited

Dr Karl Stetter is one of the scientists who will give a presentation during the activity. He is from Germany, a pioneer in the field of biological sciences and the discoverer of the microorganism Pyroccocus furiosus. The DNA polymerase from Pyroccocus furiosus is currently used for gene amplification and genome elucidation.

Another participant in the forum will be Dr Juergen Wiegel. He is from Germany too and is one of the most renowned microbiologists in the world and recipient of the Bergey’s Award.  

Dr Michael W. Adams, a British professor with many publications on this research field who leads the most important laboratory of structural genomics of extremophile microorganisms, will open the conference.

For further information, go to the meeting official web page: http://www.thermophiles2015.cl

Translated by Marcela Contreras

• With a marathon reading of Don Quixote, a masterpiece in the canon of world literature, Universidad the Santiago will take part in the World Book and Copyright day celebration. On this date, the death of Miguel de Cervantes, the author of this brilliant creation, is commemorated every year.

• On April 23^rd at noon, and for the third consecutive year, a 24-hour collective reading of this notable piece will begin. Many renowned public figures, like writers Jorge Edwards and Antonio Skármeta, will participate in this cultural activity that will be broadcasted on U. de Santiago radio station (94.5 FM and 1240 AM and www.radiousach.cl).

• Gabriela Martínez, director of the Department of Communications of the University, invited all the University community to join this homage activity, because she thinks that nobody should be left out of this real “cultural crusade.”

Today, on the World Book and Copyright day, the marathon reading of Don Quixote will be started at the Centro Cultural de España-CCE (Spain Cultural Centre). For the third consecutive year, this cultural activity will pay homage to Cervantes’ masterpiece and promote reading in our country.

Starting at noon and for 24 hours, different cultural, artistic and social personalities, together with people of different ages, interests, professions, groups and activities, will meet at a real “cultural crusade” organized by the CCE and Universidad de Santiago.

To open the activity, the masterpiece will be read aloud by Jorge Edwards, writer and recipient of the Cervantes Award, 1999; Carlos Robles, the Ambassador of Spain in Chile; Luis Larraín, President of Fundación Iguales; Alejandra Wood, Director of GAM cultural centre, and Juan Manuel Zolezzi, President of Universidad de Santiago de Chile.

The actresses Carolina Paulsen, Javiera Acevedo and Carmen Barros and the national Deputy Director of Culture, Lilia Concha, were also invited to read during the activity that will be closed on Friday 24^th at noon (at completing 24 hours of this marathon reading) by Antonio Skármeta, recipient of the National Award for Literature and by Carla Guelfenbein, recipient of the Alfaguara Award, 2015.

All the details on this cultural crusade will be live broadcasted from the CCE by Radio U. de Santiago (94.5 FM and 1240 AM and www.radiousach.cl). During these two days, the radio station programming will be focused on the World Book Day and the reading of Don Quixote, the most important piece of Spanish literature and one of the masterpieces of world literature.

“Nobody should be left out”

The reading of this literature classic for a non-stop 24-hour period is not an easy challenge. Therefore, the organizing committee issued a call to everyone interested in taking part of this cultural event to come on the 23^rd and 24^th to the CCE. This Centre is located on Avenida Providencia #927, Salvador Metro Station.

On this point, Gabriela Martínez, director of the Department of Communications and the Radio Station of Universidad de Santiago, said that nobody should be left out of this activity.

With regards to the radio broadcasting, Director Martínez said: “The most difficult thing is to motivate night owls to come to the CCE to participate in this cultural celebration, so we will have attractive spaces available where well- known and less- known people will be moving around.” 

“The idea is that people and the audience feel as protagonists and think that Radio U. de Santiago is “their” radio station. This year, more Chileans abroad and people in different regions and places far from Santiago will be contacted,” she said.

For further information on the Don Quixote Marathon Reading, go to the web page http://www.quijote24h.cl.

Translated by Marcela Contreras

• On Saturday 11th, more than 600 youngsters participated in the board game convention that opened the fifth version of the Book Route organized by the Library System of Universidad de Santiago. This year the activity is devoted to Fantastic Literature, which is related to popular role-playing games
• According to Ximena Sobarzo, Director of the Library System, SiB, “There is a direct relation among movies, literature and role-playing games, which are so widespread among youngsters. Therefore, focusing on this topic is a good way of promoting reading in our community, as this is our main challenge.” 
• The activity program includes conferences, film screenings, reading guidance and role-playing games and it will last until April 23rd, when the World Book and Copyright Day is celebrated.
• As part of its outreach activities, the SiB has also organized a tribute to the Uruguayan writer Eduardo Galeano, who died on April 13th.

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Ximena Sobarzo, Director of the Library System of Universidad de Santiago (SiB U. de Santiago), described the TerraCon board game convention as “a complete success”. The TerraCon was held on April 11th to open the Book Route 2015 of our University.

This opening convention drew more than 600 attendees- youngsters mostly – who visited the Central Library of Universidad de Santiago to participate in role-playing game tournaments, trade collectible cards and see striking miniature figure exhibitions.

In its fifth version, the traditional Book Route organized by the SiB U. de Santiago has a varied schedule of activities focused on Fantastic Literature that includes film screenings, role-playing game tournaments, conferences and others related to this genre.

The Book Route cultural schedule will continue until April 23rd, when the World Book and Copyright Day is celebrated, and it offers other free-of charge events, like the lecture “La fantasía olvidada: clásicos olvidados de literatura infantil de fantasía”, given by Paula Rivera, BA in Hispanic Letters, on April 15th, at 16:00, at the Central Library auditorium.

Likewise, on April 17th, at 16:00, the translator Danilo Jarlaz will give the lecture “La construcción del mundo fantástico a partir de lo ordinario” at the same auditorium

The Book Route involves both scheduled visits to different places in the campus and the promotion of library circulation services. It is being held between April 13th and 23rd, from 10:30 to 14:00.

Classic films and fantastic film premieres are being screened at the Central Library multimedia room, since April 14th to April 22nd, from 10:00 to 16:00.

On April 23rd, from 12:00 to 17:00, at the plaza beside the Central Library, a closure activity called “Taberna Medieval” (Medieval Tavern) has been scheduled. The Chilean Tolkien Society, a group that has specially been invited for the occasion, will be in charge of this activity and will provide music, dance performances, food and medieval decorations. 

This closure activity will also include discussion boards on Fantastic Literature and will have the presence of fencing, archery, and dance and Viking music groups of Universidad de Santiago.

Besides, along with the activities scheduled, “Don Cándido”, the traditional character that symbolizes the Book Route, will ride his bike all over the campus, giving books to students and bringing the library closer to the University community.

Promoting reading in the community 

Ximena Sobarzo, Director of the Library System of Universidad de Santiago, showed herself very pleased for the beginning of the activity and she said that the main goal of the Book Route continued to be promoting the interest in reading in our University community and the community around us, through diverting and creative activities

“Every year, in our Book Route we try to approach new aspects related to how literature goes across different interests and different personalities. We want to show that literature is on the movies, TV, comics, music and others. That is our challenge,” she says.

Regarding Fantastic Literature, on which the activity is focused this year, Ximena Sobarzo says: “There is a direct relation among movies, literature and role-playing games, which are so widespread among youngsters. Therefore, focusing on this topic is a good way of promoting reading in our community, as this is our main challenge.” 

 

For more information, click on https://rutadellibro2015.wordpress.com/