Red Universitaria Cruz del Sur is a network of research-intensive Chilean universities committed to the common good and to the country’s development. Our history includes extensive collaboration and joint projects in areas such as research, doctoral programs, protection of intellectual property and industry partnerships.
Left to right: Ignacio Sánchez, Rector, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; Sergio Lavanchy, Rector, Universidad de Concepción; Claudio Elórtegui, Rector, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso; José Rodríguez, Rector, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, and Víctor Cubillos, Rector, Universidad Austral de Chile.
The institutions that make up our network are:
PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATÓLICA DE CHILE
Founded in 1888, the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile is strongly focused on public service while it offers a socially-inclusive and diversified education program framed by Christian values.
Over 22,000 students are distributed throughout its five campuses; four located in the city of Santiago and another in the city of Villarrica. The university is comprised by 18 faculty departments that offer 311 undergraduate and graduate programs, of which 29 are doctoral programs.
The university generated 1,056 ISI publications in 2008.
In the arts, humanities and social sciences programs the main lines of research are in economics, education and psychology. In the natural sciences and mathematics programs research activities focus on biochemistry, molecular biology and space sciences. Other areas of expertise include biomedicine and engineering study programs.
UNIVERSIDAD DE CONCEPCIÓN
Universidad de Concepción was founded in 1919 and was the first university to be located in the southern central region of Chile. Its primary mission is to maintain the highest level of excellence in the creation, communication and conservation of knowledge and culture. This university has humanist, secular, and pluralist values with deep national roots and regional awareness, while having significant international presence.
With over 23,000 students, the university is present in three different cities having campuses in Concepción, Chillán and Los Ángeles. It is comprised of 19 faculty departments offering 86 study programs, 23 of which are doctoral programs.
The university generated 547 ISI publications in 2008.
The main areas of research at Universidad de Concepción are astronomy and astrophysics, ecology, oceanography and chemistry.
PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATÓLICA DE VALPARAÍSO
Located in the city of Valparaíso, the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso initiated its academic activities in 1928. Since then it has uninterruptedly carried out teaching, research and outreach programs. The university has Christian humanist values, based on disciplinary diversity and academic excellence.
With over 13,000 students and 9 faculty departments the university offers 105 study programs, 10 of which are doctoral programs.
The university generated 124 ISI publications in 2008.
The main areas of research at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso are biotechnology, applied microbiology, materials science and physics.
UNIVERSIDAD TÉCNICA FEDERICO SANTA MARÍA
The Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María was founded in Valparaíso in 1926. This university is the leading institution insofar as the engineering, science and technology fields are concerned.
The university has over 14,000 students distributed over 7 campuses located in the Chilean cities of Valparaíso, Viña del Mar, Rancagua, and Concepción, while one campus is located in Guayaquil, Ecuador. The university offers 71 study programs, 6 of which are at the doctoral level.
The university generated 151 ISI publications in 2008.
The primary areas of research at the Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María are in the fields of electric and electronic engineering, physics, and instruments and instrumentation.
UNIVERSIDAD AUSTRAL DE CHILE
Founded in 1954, the Universidad Austral de Chile considers research to be a fundamental academic activity. It has primarily concentrated its efforts on areas related to biology as well as environmental and natural resources issues.
With over 12,000 students the university is formed by two campuses in the city of Valdivia, the Faculty of Medicine located in Osorno and another campus in the city of Puerto Montt. The university has 10 faculty departments which offer 72 undergraduate and graduate study programs, out of which 6 are at the doctoral level.
The university generated 235 ISI publications in 2008.
The main areas of research at the Universidad Austral de Chile are ecology, marine biology and veterinary science.