Rodrigo Astroza was recognized with the first Award for Excellence in Research given at our university.
The academic vice dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences of our university was recognized with the first prize of the Excellence in Research Award delivered in the UANDES. "It is a tremendous recognition of one of the two main tasks that we academics carry out in our professional careers: in the training of our students so that they can contribute to society and in carrying out relevant research, with an impact that is recognized by the environment, both nationally and internationally. Receiving this award fills me with pride and satisfaction, as it shows that we are doing things right and that we are doing the right things. contributing a grain of sand to the generation of new knowledge and to the development of high-impact scientific and applied research. On the other hand, in the Universidad de los Andes there are many top researchers, and for this reason, winning the award is even more meritorious".Astroza explains.
The academic comments that this recognition represents the fruit of years of effort, dedication and passion for research. "It has been years and hours of hard work, where collaboration and exchange of ideas have played a fundamental role. I always remember with great happiness our return to Chile in 2016, when we returned after having completed my doctorate in the United States -along with my wife and my oldest son with only 1.5 months- full of hope, but also with great uncertainty. From those days I also remember when I literally arrived to open the university at 6:15 in the morning, and when many times I had to wake up the guard so that they would open the gate to let me in. All these years have been very rewarding for my professional development, particularly in the quality of the research we have achieved. In this process I have been able to share with academics from whom I have learned a lot and to whom I will be eternally grateful for their suggestions during my first years in this house of studies".
This recognition fills me with pride and motivates me to continue promoting research that contributes to the development of knowledge and the welfare of society. Receiving this award is an honor that commits me to continue working with excellence and to inspire future generations of researchers to achieve their goals with perseverance and conviction.
Astroza explains that this award is a way of support and validate the quality and relevance of the research work carried out in our academic community. "This is undoubtedly a shared achievement, where my family, especially my wife, has been a pillar and a fundamental support. On the other hand, the dedication, work and effort of my students have been fundamental to multiply our research and thus expand its impact. Finally, the academic discussion and exchange of ideas with colleagues from the faculty and from other national and foreign universities have been fundamental to achieve high quality research"..
The role of research in society
Research plays an important It plays a fundamental role in the development of countries, since it generates new knowledge and therefore drives innovation and solutions to problems of great relevance, thus improving the quality of life of people and improving various processes and services. "Through knowledge generation, complex problems can be addressed, providing evidence-based solutions, for which collaborative and multidisciplinary work is needed. In addition, research fosters technological progress, which in turn boosts productivity and generates a positive impact on society. What we are researching today is relevant for the present and is fundamental for future generations," emphasizes the academic vice dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences. He adds that in many cases the real impact of the research conducted is evident several years after it has been carried out, "because of this, research must also be viewed as an investment for the progress, well-being and sustainability of current and future generations."
The surprise of the students
In the university there are several concrete mechanisms that allow students to get involved and get closer to the world of research. "For example, the development of internships, undergraduate and graduate theses, and participation in projects are alternatives through which professors involve students in the research we do. I think that, for a significant number of them, discovering that professors do research comes as quite a surprise. It is very nice when students ask us if we academics have three months of vacation a year (during the summer) and we are not allowed to take any vacations. when we explain to them that, in addition to teaching, we also do research, many of them are intrigued and eager to participate in this world that is somewhat unknown to them".says the professor. He adds that students play an important role in research and it allows them to be trained in topics that are on the edge of knowledge. "It is very gratifying to see how some students love research. As professors, our main legacy is the formation of new generations of engineers and academics, which allows our ways of seeing research and the development of our lines of work to last over time," he concludes.