Universidad de los Andes participated in the preparation of a book edited by the Inter-University Center for Development (CINDA), which addresses the current state of doctoral programs in Chile and proposes approaches to align them with the national industry.
The book is part of the work of CINDA's Chilean Universities Operating Group (GOP-CINDA), whose objective was to develop a public policy proposal for this type of program for the 2023-2025 period, considering both the existing reality in Chile and international experiences.
This publication is the result of a collaborative process that brought together 27 researchers from 14 Chilean universities. It reviews the recent history of doctoral programs in Chile, analyzes national and international experiences, examines their contribution to regional development, and addresses the challenges associated with quality, accreditation, and engagement with the broader environment.
According to the Deputy Director of Doctoral Programs at UANDES, María del Valle Barrera, who participated as a researcher in the assessment of the state of doctoral programs included in the book, these modalities have not yet been explicitly incorporated into Chile's current regulations, despite the existence of experiences that demonstrate their development, underscoring the need to advance their discussion at the regulatory and public policy levels.
The GOP-CINDA work also highlights the need for more flexible frameworks for doctoral training and provides criteria for distinguishing among academic, professional, and industry-related doctorates, along with their contributions to the country's development.
"This diagnosis allows us to understand the current state of the Chilean doctoral system and the challenges it faces, as well as to advance in the alignment between academic standards and new forms of applied training," Barrera noted, highlighting the importance of Universidad de los Andes actively contributing to spaces of analysis and discussion at the national level.
The book's official presentation took place on November 25 at Universidad de Talca's Santiago campus and was attended by the Minister of Science, Technology, Knowledge, and Innovation, Aldo Valle, and academic José Joaquín Brunner. At the event, Brunner underscored the significance of the book and emphasized the need to broaden the perspective on doctoral training, so that it better responds to the country's current needs.
The book is intended as an input for universities, public agencies, and the higher education system, at a key juncture for the discussion of doctoral education in Chile.