A commission of authorities from Universidad de Chile was visited on Friday 24th April by the minister of Education, Higher Education and Research from France Najat Vallaud-Belkacem. The group was lead by University’s president Ennio Vivaldi and was also composed by the director of the Center for Mathematical Modeling (CMM) Alejandro Jofré, among other high representatives of the House of Bello. During the meeting, they discussed about the educational reform and initiatives to strengthen the relation between France and Chile.
According to Universidad de Chile website, the minister Vallaud-Belkacem emphasized the key moment universities from both countries are living. For example, she highlighted that 900 young Chileans are studying in French universities now and committed to enhance the student mobility and the alliances for PhD programs. The Government of France, she stated, is also open to collaborate with issues on industrial and societal development.
The minister also commented the work made CMM in Math research and its strong links with France.
“For us was an important meeting in order to address the process to renovate the CMM’ status as CNRS Mixed International Unit. She showed the willingness of her ministry to support the research initiatives of our Center,” explained Jofré.
Besides president Vivaldi and Alejandro Jofré, on the occasion participated on behalf of the University of Chile the vice president for Research and Development, Flavio Salazar; the dean of the Faculty of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Patricio Aceituno; the dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Roberto Aceituno; the dean of the Faculty of Philosophy and Humanities, María Eugenia Góngora, and Director of International Relations, Pía Lombardo. The gathering was also attended by vice minister of Education Valentina Quiroga, and the head of the Division of Higher Education, Francisco Martínez.
