- During the ceremony, President Dr Juan Manuel Zolezzi invited the university community to be part of the debate over the Higher Education Reform Bill.
On July 06th, Universidad de Santiago de Chile celebrated its 167th anniversary in a ceremony held at the Aula Magna. The ceremony was attended by authorities, academics, administrative staff and students.
In his speech during the ceremony, President Juan Manuel Zolezzi invited the university community to be part of the debate over the Higher Education Reform Bill.
“This is a historic time. We have achieved major progress, but we still have big challenges to face. One of them is, undoubtedly, the Higher Education Reform Bill that has just been introduced in the Congress,” he said.
Dr Zolezzi expressed his concerns about the future of this reform. “Now that we have examined the Educational Reform Draft, we cannot feel satisfied with or committed to it. I am concerned about this,” he said.
According to President Zolezzi, the bill, as it is now, “confirms a market model funded by the State. It does not strengthen public education. It does not take care of State universities. On the contrary, more resources are allocated to private universities, professional institutes and technical training centers.”
Awards
After President’s Zolezzi speech, members of the university community were awarded President Manuel Bulnes medals for their 10, 20, 30 or 40 years of service at this institution. It is important to mention that Professor Fernando Henríquez Barrientos, at the Department of Mining Engineering, was awarded the gold medal for his 50 years of service.
Besides, the best student of each faculty and school of the university received an award in recognition of his/her high academic achievements, and eight academics were made full professors.
To close he ceremony, the Orchestra of the University performed for the audience, under the direction of master Nicolas Rauss.
Translated by Marcela Contreras
