University of Concepción
Universidad de Concepción | |
 | |
| Motto | Por el desarrollo libre del espíritu. |
|---|---|
Motto in English | For the free development of the spirit. |
| Type | Private (with State contributions) |
| Established | May 14, 1919 |
| Budget | US$66 million |
| Rector | Sergio Lavanchy Merino |
Academic staff | 1.164 |
| Students | 23.130 |
| Postgraduates | 1.597 |
| Location | , |
| Campus | Urban |
| Colors | Blue and yellow |
| Website | www.udec.cl |
The University of Concepción (in Spanish: Universidad de Concepción), also known for its acronym UdeC, is one of the most prestigious universities in Chile. It is the third oldest university in the country, and it is part of the Council of Rectors. It was the first University founded in the South of Chile, and the first to become a private-law corporation. In addition, it belongs to the Southern Cross University Network (in Spanish: Red Universitaria Cruz del Sur).
Its main campus is located at the Concepción's University City, with additional campuses in Chillán and Los Ángeles.
The 2011 CSIC University Ranking places the University of Concepción as the second best in Chile and 19th best in Latin America, while business magazine America Economía's 2010 SIR Iberoamerican Ranking rates the University of Concepción as the nations number three university.
History
Background
In the late XIX century and early XX century, many scholars from Concepción started to plead for the construction of a university for the South region of Chile, in which it could be possible to study professional careers outside the capital, Santiago. However, a project of this magnitude required a high level of organization, which didn't exist so far. In February 1917, the newspaper El Sur reported:
The idea of creating a university could not be possible yet because of "the lack of organization of all the people who wanted to do so".
— Diario El Sur, 1917.
Committee Pro-University
On March 23, 1917, the first official meeting was carried out in order to make true two dreams of the citizens: a Clinical Hospital and a University.
After debating, it was possible to define a committee in charge of the constructions of these two objectives, that were closely related, because the Clinical Hospital should become the base of the new University's Medical School. Some notable characters of this committee were Enrique Molina Garmendia, Pedro Nolasco, Edmundo Larenas and Virginio Gómez.
Foundation
Then, the commission started working in the presentation of the laws to the Congress that would create the University officially. These were sent and approved, and on May 14, 1919, Enrique Molina Garmendia founded the University and became its first rector.
Nowadays, the University subsists thanks to different firms belonging to the "Corporation University of Concepción". The Lottery is one of the main companies. Thus, the University of Concepción has managed to become one of the most modern and important universities in Chile.
Organization
The University of Concepción is divided into three campuses, located in Chillán, Los Ángeles and Concepción. This last one is the main and the most important campus.
Concepción Campus
The University is located in the University District. The whole campus comprends what is called Ciudad Universitaria (University City), in which museums, sculptures and parks are found. Today, the campus has an extension of 1.425.000 m2, of which 239.856 are built. It is the center for knowledge, sciences, culture, technology and investigation of the city of Concepción.
In 2010, the University of Concepción was classified as one of the most important architectural pieces of the first half of the XX century in Chile. The award "Obra Bicentenario" distinguishes the projects that, in the last 100 years, have changed the physiognomy of the cities and that have improved the quality of life of its citizens.
Chillán Campus
It was created in 1995 thanks to the support of many institutions, like the United Nations, OAS, American and European universities, etc. It develops mainly the agricultural sciences. This campus has approximately 2.000 students, more than 100 academic staff and 250 administrative staff.
Los Ángeles Campus
The Los Ángeles Campus of the University of Concepción was founded in 1962 as a request of the community of the province to the rector David Stitchkin Branover. Currently, it has 1.300 students and 35 teachers full time, plus the other academic staff with part-time.
Schools and Departments
The University of Concepción is made up of 18 schools and departments:
- Department of Agronomy.
- Department of Architecture, Urban Planning and Geography.
- Department of Biological Sciences.
- School of Economics and Business Administration.
- Department of Physical Sciences and Mathematics.
- Department of Forestry.
- School of Law and Social Sciences.
- Department of Natural and Oceanographic Sciences.
- Department of Chemical Sciences.
- Department of Social Sciences.
- School of Veterinary Science.
- School of Education.
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry.
- School of Humanities and Arts.
- Department of Engineering.
- Department of Agricultural Engineering.
- School of Medicine.
- School of Dentistry.
Administration
The university's current rector is Sergio Lavanchy. The university belongs to the Council of Rectors of Traditional Chilean Universities. The rectors that have directed the university have been:
| Rector | Period |
|---|---|
| Enrique Molina Garmendia | 1919 - 1956 |
| David Stitchkin Branover | 1956 - 1962 |
| Ignacio González Ginouvés | 1962 - 1968 |
| David Stitchkin Branover | 1968 |
| Edgardo Enríquez Frödden | 1969 - 1972 |
| Carlos Von Plessing Baentsch | 1973 |
| Guillermo González Bastias | 1973 - 1975 |
| Heinrich Rochna Viola | 1975 - 1980 |
| Guillermo Clericus Etchegoyen | 1980 - 1987 |
| Carlos Von Plessing Baentsch | 1987 - 1990 |
| César Augusto Parra Muñoz | 1990 - 1997 |
| Sergio Lavanchy Merino | 1998 - |
See also
