Adolfo Ibáñez University

Adolfo Ibáñez University Overview

The Adolfo Ibáñez University (UAI) is a distinguished Chilean private institution affiliated with the Adolfo Ibáñez Foundation. Established in 1988 on the foundation of the former Valparaíso Business School, an entity dedicated to professional education in business administration since 1953, the university owes its name to the generous contribution of entrepreneur Adolfo Ibáñez Boggiano.

UAI's Business School stands as the sole Chilean institution holding the prestigious triple crown of international accreditation (AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA), a distinction realized by only 1% of global business schools. It also achieved the distinction of being the first business school in Chile to offer an MBA program. Moreover, UAI is one of three institutions in Latin America, and the sole Chilean representative, within the Global Alliance in Management Education (CEMS). This membership enables the provision of an internationally accredited "Master in International Management," benefiting from a network encompassing 33 of the world's premier business schools, 71 corporate partners, and 6 social partners to enrich student learning. This exclusive program is offered by only a select few universities globally, with one institution per country.

The university's unique emphasis on liberal arts education and robust research orientation distinguishes it. In 2017, UAI entered into a collaboration with Columbia University, fostering an innovative educational process. This partnership facilitated the adoption of the Core Curriculum, a hallmark of UAI's teaching methodology aimed at cultivating critical thinking skills among students.

Presently, UAI boasts a 6-year accreditation by the Chilean National Accreditation Commission (CNA-Chile), effective from October 2021 to October 2027. The institution ranks 19th among Chilean universities according to the 2022 SCImago Institutions Rankings (SIR). Furthermore, it stands within the top 11 Chilean universities listed in the 2020 QS World University Rankings.

Entrepreneur Adolfo Ibáñez Boggiano, a former Chilean Minister of Development during 1927-1928, envisioned businesses playing a pivotal role in the nation's growth. His early 20th-century insight led to the establishment of a professional entity aimed at nurturing capable leaders who could manage companies effectively, ultimately fostering the nation's development.

Although Ibáñez Boggiano passed away in 1949 without realizing his dream, his heirs united to transform it into reality. In 1951, the Adolfo Ibáñez Foundation was born, which culminated in the inception of the Valparaíso Business School in 1953. The school initially operated under the aegis of the Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, pioneering Latin America's first business school. It was here that the professional teaching of Business Administration was introduced for the first time in Chile.

1965 marked the inclusion of humanities studies in the undergraduate curriculum, a step towards greater academic integrity in a traditionally technical and vocational field.

The school's autonomy commenced in 1969, terminating its alliance with the university. Subsequently, an association was formed with the Federico Santa María Technical University, a partnership that extended until the late 1980s.

In the late 1970s, the school expanded to Santiago, initiating postgraduate courses and seminars for executives and entrepreneurs. This marked the inception of programs such as the Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration (DPA) and later the Executive MBA.

Following the higher education reform during the military dictatorship, the Adolfo Ibáñez University was founded in 1988, incorporating the Business School. In subsequent years, programs in Law, Civil Engineering, Humanities (with concentrations in History, Literature, Philosophy, Education, and Journalism), Psychology, and Design were introduced.

Notably, in 2021, the Commercial Engineering program underwent curriculum and duration modifications, adopting a 3-year undergraduate and 2-year master's structure, making UAI the first Chilean university to implement the 3+2 system, mirroring international educational models.

Prominent rectors have guided the university's journey, including Gonzalo Ibáñez Santa María (1989-1997), Juan Ignacio Domínguez Covarrubias (1998-2000), Andrés Benítez Pereira (2000-2018), and Harald Beyer Burgos (2018-present).

UAI operates from two main campuses for undergraduate programs – one in Santiago (established in 2002) and the other in Viña del Mar (inaugurated in 2011). Campus Viña del Mar hosts the initial 4 years of studies, with master's degrees completed at the Peñalolén Campus in Santiago.

These primary campuses are supplemented by the Errázuriz Branch, focused on postgraduate and extension courses in Las Condes, and the Adolfo Ibáñez School of Management in Miami, USA, dedicated to management postgraduate programs.

The university comprises various faculties and schools, including the School of Business, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Engineering and Sciences, Pedro Ibáñez Ojeda School of Government, Faculty of Liberal Arts, School of Psychology, School of Communications and Journalism, and School of Design.