Austral University of Chile

Austral University of Chile Overview

The Universidad Austral de Chile is a prestigious private traditional Chilean university located in the southern city of Valdivia, Chile. It was founded on September 7, 1954, and obtained its legal status through Supreme Decree No. 3757 on the same year, as a response to the urgent need for a higher education institution in the southern region of the country. The university is affiliated with the AUR (Asociación de Universidades Regionales), CRUCH (Consejo de Rectores de las Universidades Chilenas), RUCS (Red Universitaria Cruz del Sur), and G9 (Red Universitaria G9).

The Universidad Austral de Chile operates several campuses, including Campus Isla Teja, Campus Los Canelos, Campus Miraflores, Campus de la Cultura y Las Artes, Campus Clínico, Campus Pelluco, and Campus Patagonia, as well as other campuses in Puerto Montt, Osorno, and Coyhaique.

The main activities of the university take place in Campus Isla Teja, spanning 46.2 hectares, and Campus Miraflores, covering 32.1 hectares, both located in Valdivia. Additionally, there is a 5.95-hectare campus in Puerto Montt and the Campo Clínico in Osorno. The university also possesses several research centers and experimental sites spread across the regions of La Araucanía and Aysén del General Carlos Ibáñez del Campo. Furthermore, it boasts 126 laboratories distributed across all its campuses and a network of six libraries containing 221,579 physical volumes and 496,315 e-books, among other resources.

The Universidad Austral de Chile offers a wide range of academic programs, including 72 undergraduate programs (7 technical-university degrees), 46 postgraduate courses (diplomas and specializations), 37 Master's programs, and 12 Doctorate programs. In recognition of its academic excellence, the university annually awards the prestigious Jorge Millas Prize, instituted in 1996.

As of 2021, the university had a total of 18,816 students, with 17,968 enrolled in undergraduate programs and 848 in postgraduate programs. The faculty comprises 1,835 professors, and the administrative staff consists of 1,980 individuals, bringing the total number of employees to 3,815.

The university's budget for 2021 was M$ 97,165,649, indicating the financial stability and resources available for academic and research endeavors. It is also an important contributor to the Chilean academic landscape, ranking fourth among Chilean universities according to the webometric classification SCImago Institutions Rankings (SIR) 2022. Furthermore, it ranked ninth in the AméricaEconomía 2021 ranking and was among the top 11 universities in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2020.

The Universidad Austral de Chile has a rich history that traces back to 1942 when a group of prominent personalities in Valdivia formed the Sociedad Amigos del Arte, aiming to promote culture and advocate for the establishment of a new university in the region. In the 1950s, Senator Carlos Acharán Pérez de Arce supported the idea, leading to the consolidation of the university project. In 1954, Dr. Eduardo Morales Miranda became the first rector of the newly constituted university, and under his leadership, the institution thrived.

Over the years, the university faced challenges, including the opposition from the University of Chile and internal administrative issues. Nonetheless, the dedication and vision of its early leaders contributed to the university's growth and its eventual autonomy, granted by Law 16,848 in 1968.

The Universidad Austral de Chile is not just known for its academic excellence but also for its beautiful natural surroundings. The Campus Isla Teja houses the renowned Jardín Botánico (Botanical Garden), established in 1955 by founder Eduardo Morales Miranda, showcasing more than 950 plant species, including native flora from Chile's central region, Magellanic forests, medicinal plants, and more. Adjacent to Campus Isla Teja is the Arboretum, a 60-hectare area with diverse plant species, making it a valuable resource for research and environmental conservation.

The university's administrative structure consists of the Directorio (Board of Directors), Consejo Académico (Academic Council), and Consejo Superior Universitario (University Superior Council). These bodies are responsible for overseeing the university's general management, academic policies, and strategic decisions.

Throughout its history, the university has been led by visionary rectors, including Manfred Max-Neef, who won the Alternative Nobel Prize in economics and became a presidential candidate in 1993. As of the most recent information, the current rector is Dr. Hans Richter Becerra.

The Universidad Austral de Chile extends its educational offerings to its campuses in Puerto Montt and Coyhaique. The Puerto Montt campus was established in 1989 and now provides a wide range of undergraduate programs in areas such as engineering, health, pedagogy, social, among others.