Universidad de Concepción
Encyclopedia
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.
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:
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.
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.
, Los Ángeles and Concepción
. This last one is the main and the most important 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.
, 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.
The rectors that have directed the university have been:
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
: Universidad de Concepción), also known for its acronym UdeC, is one of the most prestigious universities in Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
. It is the third oldest university in the country, and it is part of the Council of Rectors
Chilean Traditional Universities
In Chile, the term universidades tradicionales is used to denote the group of universities founded before the 1980s. This term usually includes derivative universities, which are not really traditional but were derived from traditional ones...
. 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
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
: Red Universitaria Cruz del Sur).
Its main campus is located at the Concepción's
Concepción, Chile
Concepción is a city in Chile, capital of Concepción Province and of the Biobío Region or Region VIII. Greater Concepción is the second-largest conurbation in the country, with 889,725 inhabitants...
University City, with additional campuses in Chillán
Chillán
Chillán is a city in the Biobío Region of Chile located about south of the country's capital, Santiago, near the geographical center of the country. It is the capital of Ñuble Province and, with a population of approximately 170,000 people , the most populated urban center of this province...
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
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
, 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 ConcepciónConcepción, Chile
Concepción is a city in Chile, capital of Concepción Province and of the Biobío Region or Region VIII. Greater Concepción is the second-largest conurbation in the country, with 889,725 inhabitants...
started to plead for the construction of a university for the South region of Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
, 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
El Sur
El Sur is a Chilean newspaper published in Concepción and it circulates in almost all the Biobío Region. El Sur is owned by El Sur S.A., which manages two dailies in Concepción: El Sur and Crónica....
reported:
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 ChillánChillán
Chillán is a city in the Biobío Region of Chile located about south of the country's capital, Santiago, near the geographical center of the country. It is the capital of Ñuble Province and, with a population of approximately 170,000 people , the most populated urban center of this province...
, Los Ángeles and Concepción
Concepción
Concepción is the name of several towns and cities. The largest of these is Concepción, Chile, the conurbation of which is home to over one million people...
. This last one is the main and the most important campus.
Concepción Campus
Concepción, Chile
Concepción is a city in Chile, capital of Concepción Province and of the Biobío Region or Region VIII. Greater Concepción is the second-largest conurbation in the country, with 889,725 inhabitants...
.
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 NationsUnited Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
, OAS
OAS
OAS or Oas may refer to:* Organization of American States, an international organization of the Americas.* Ohio Auction School, an auction school in Ohio, USA.* Old Age Security, a social security payment available to most Canadians aged 65 or older....
, 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 Edgardo Enríquez Edgardo Enríquez Frödden was a Chilean physician, academic and minister of education under the Salvador Allende government.- Family and careers :... |
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 - |