The number of students, colleges and universities in the education industry has grown significantly over the past decades. But only a select few are able to establish an influential position in this constantly evolving world.
We present a renowned private, autonomous and accredited Chilean university that has been a center of excellence in education: Universidad Bernardo O’Higgins. With the aim of “being at the forefront of higher education through the adoption of advanced educational technologies and the creation of collaborative learning environments”, Universidad Bernardo O’Higgins (UBO) was founded in 1990 in Parque O’Higgins, in the commune of Santiago Chile.
UBO actively supports the culture that values innovation and research, while placing a high priority on creativity and the pursuit of knowledge. Its academic programmes emphasize the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills, essential skills for dealing with the challenges of the modern world.
This not only prepares students for an increasingly digital environment, but also provides them with the skills and knowledge necessary to lead in a variety of industries and make a positive contribution to the long-term sustainability of society. To prepare its students to be agents of change, socially conscious individuals and creators of a better future through innovation and research, UBO is vital.
The man at the helm
Dr. Claudio Ruff, Rector of Universidad Bernardo O’Higgins, is leading UBO with his dynamic leadership and years of experience, taking it to new heights. He is a competent and efficient professional with years of extensive experience in the sector. He excels in fostering a culture of teamwork and camaraderie, while providing the university with academic, administrative and research-focused, innovation and the community engament leadership.
He was a student at the university before becoming vice chancellor for administration and finance, so he has extensive knowledge of both the institution and the student body. Rector Ruff completed his undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate studies at universities in Chile, Switzerland and the United States. He also obtained a Master’s degree in Management and Finance in Chile and a PhD in Engineering Sciences at the National University of Trujillo, Peru.
“In the 1980s, our nation underwent a dizzying economic expansion and development, which led me to believe that management and finance could be the fields that would fundamentally alter the trajectory of my life. And this is cwhat motivated me to move in this direction”, revealed the visionary leader.
UBO’s innovative strategies to engage with students
Universidad Bernardo O’Higgins uses strategic planning and often conducts reflection sessions that include a thorough assessment of all its operations in the context of the next years. Through various university bodies, including the Academic Council, the voice of the students is heard. Their main task is to advise the rector on matters related to academic research, teaching and connections with the wider community. In addition, they participate as a crucial part of the Faculty and School Councils.
Unique tactics to stay at the forefront of advanced technology
UBO has adopted a student-centered approach, emphasizing personalisation of learning and adaptability of curricula that allow students’ academic pathways to align with their career goals and aspirations. This has been achieved by putting in place proactive strategies to ensure its adaptability and responsiveness to the changing needs of students and industry. In addition, UBO has established strong connections with companies through alliances with the environment, international agreements, collaborations in research projects, internship programmes, among others, ensuring that its academic offer is current and responds to the needs of the labor market.
Additionally, Universidad Bernardo O’Higgins has invested in the implementation of state-of-the-art educational technology and creative teaching strategies, fostering the development of digital literacy and modifying instruction for online or hybrid learning environments as needed. This allows the university to continue to offer education with flexibility even in unforeseen circumstances.
UBO’s key focus: Improving the quality of education
Over the years, the university has prioritized the challenges posed by higher education, with the continuous improvement of educational quality being fundamental, with special priority given to pedagogical innovation and interdisciplinary research. This has been achieved through solid investment in advanced educational technology, the promotion of personalized teaching methods and the adoption of innovative pedagogical methods that foster the acquisition of digital skills and enable the university to remain agile in the delivery of teaching, even in unforeseen situations.
This integrated approach aims not only to prepare students for an ever-changing world, but also to drive the generation of innovative knowledge that benefits society as a whole.
Fighting against the obstacles along the way
Higher Education in Chile is undergoing dizzying changes driven, for example, by the knowledge society of the Fifth Industrial Revolution; therefore, from the university, the team is tackling it as mentioned below:
- Strengthen training procedures and articulate instruction in postgraduate, undergraduate and continuing education.
- To create new knowledge in the fields of teaching support, fundamental and applied research, in conjunction with regional and national interests.
- To create new knowledge in the fields of teaching support, fundamental and applied research, in conjunction with regional and national interests.
- To consolidate culture by ensuring institutional quality.
- To strengthen institutional management with operational effectiveness and the well-being of collaborators.
Responsibility towards society
UBO has been actively engaged in socially responsible business practices that consistently produce public goods, benefit society and operate at maximum efficiency. These are distinguished by optimal graduation rates and the training of qualified professionals and graduates who benefit society. In addition, the research field, which started only 11 years ago, has produced an exceptional number of publications in renowned journals (WOS and SCOPUS) each year through its 10 I+D centers, 44 innovation and invention patents in the last three years and three spin-offs this year (2023).
An achievement to be proud
Universidad Bernardo O’Higgins of Chile has been working systematically since 2014 to problematise and install a culture of institutional sustainable development, which has an impact on the improvement and transformation of society. This work is carried out in response to the challenges proposed by the United Nations through the 2030 Agenda and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
This work was formalized more recently through the 2021 update of the educational model, where sustainable development was integrated as a cross-cutting foundation, covering the 17 ODS from seven perspectives, and coordinated by the Sustainability Directorate.
Among other institutional actions, the following stand out:
- Creation of the Center for Research in Natural Resources and Sustainability (CIRENYS)
- The creation of the Environmental Engineering Program
- Establishing the Disaster Risk Management Observatory
- Signing of the Commitment to Equity Chilean Standard 3262 on Gender Equality, Conciliation of Work, Family, and Personal Life (Nch3262)
- Signing of the Chilean Gender Parity Initiative (IPG) by the Ministry of Women and Gender Equity (MinMujeryEG)
- Creation of the Office of Inclusion, Equity, and Sustainability (OIES).
- Participation of UBO in the Sustainable Campus Network (Resies)
- Creation of a Master’s Degree in Gender and Social Intervention
- Signing of the Clean Production Agreement (APL II)
- Sustainability Policy and Plan
- Gender Equality and Equity Policy
- Center for Research and Development of Water Ecosystems
- Center for Studies and Research in Health and Society.
Five years from now…
Universidad Bernardo O’Higgins has been transforming and positioning itself as a key player in the development of our country. The corporation presents itself as a global institution with an important growth and a close link with the environment that includes the whole community. With the aim of being an institution of higher education, UBO focuses on enhancing its quality through a progressive development of scientific research with solid foundations and long-term projections, ensuring inclusion, social mobility and integration of the most vulnerable sectors of the country.
