Introducing the Director

Dr. Ing. Ernesto Zumelzu D. Director DID UACh

Ever since its foundation, the University has seen research as an academic activity fundamental for docent work development and as an answer to the study of problems belonging to its influence area. This activity has been mainly centered in the biological area and on problems related with environment and exploitation of renewable natural resources. Furthermore, efforts to increase development inside other areas of knowledge have also been significant; areas such as social sciences, humanities, arts, technology and engineering. This development has strengthen teaching in under-grade and has motivated generation of the current post-grade programs, which presently are very active concerning research.

Among the different activities concerning research, some projects include methodologies involving studies with human beings, animals, pathogenic organisms, and radioactive elements. Thus, specific committees have been created inside the University to support the Research and Development Direction in this task; such as Ethics Committee, Biosecurity Committee, and the Committee for the Use of Animals in Investigation. More over, to support its diverse obligations, the RDD not only counts on the Agreements and Technical Support Office, but on an Advisor Committee composed by university academics as well.

Currently, our chore goes beyond the national boundaries, thus international projects are more and more important. In this concern, the University works in close relationship with the productive area.

It is important to outstand that in August 2004, the National Commission for Under-grade Accreditation (NCUA) granted Universidad Austral de Chile with accreditation for its research activities for a period of five years.