Universidad de Chile (university)
Encyclopedia
The University of Chile is the largest and oldest institution of higher education in Chile
and one of the oldest in the Americas. Founded in 1842 as the replacement and continuation of the former colonial Royal University of San Felipe (1738) (Spanish: Real Universidad de San Felipe), the university is often called Casa de Bello (House of Bello) in honor of its first president, Andrés Bello
. Notable alumni include two Nobel laureates (Pablo Neruda
and Gabriela Mistral
) and twenty heads of state among many others.
, was founded. On 28 July 1738, its name changed to Real Universidad de San Felipe, in honor of King Philip V of Spain
.
, conceived the idea of funding a corporation for the "advancement and development of sciences and humanities". Andrés Bello
formulated the project which with small modifications became a law on 19 November 1842, creating the Universidad de Chile.
The Universidad de Chile was formally opened on 17 September 1843. During this period, the university consisted of five faculties (facultades): Humanities
& Philosophy
, Physics
Science
s & Mathematics
, Law
& Political Science
s, Medicine
, and Theology
. By 1931, the number of colleges had increased to six: Philosophy & Education
Sciences, Legal & Social Sciences
, Biology
& Medical Sciences, Physical & Mathematical Sciences, Agronomy
& Veterinary
, and Fine Art
s.
Almost all of Chile's presidents graduated from the University of Chile, including all of those in the 20th century with the exception of Eduardo Frei Montalva
(Pontifical Catholic University of Chile
), General Carlos Ibáñez del Campo
and former military dictator General Augusto Pinochet Ugarte.
's military regime from 1973 to 1989, the University suffered many profound changes. On 2 October 1973, Decree number 50 stated that the University's Presidents would be designated by the Military Regime.
The second major blow to the University's integrity came on 3 January 1981, when another Decree completely restructured the University. All of its provincial campuses were separated, cojoined with provincial campuses of the Universidad Técnica del Estado (now Universidad de Santiago de Chile and Universidad de Atacama
) and designated as separate universities, such as the Universidad de Talca
, Universidad de Valparaiso
, the Instituto Pedagógico (Pedagogical Institute, now the Universidad Metropolitana de Ciencias de la Educación
), the Universidad de Antofagasta
, the Universidad de Tarapacá
, Instituto Professional de Osorno (now Universidad de los Lagos
), Instituto Professional de Chillán (now Universidad del Bío-Bío
), Universidad de la Frontera
, and Universidad de la Serena
.
These changes were orchestrated by influential advisors to the military government as a way to severely diminish the University's influence on the nation's politics, economics, public policies and intellectual movements. Simultaneous to this process, the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile was heavily supported so that it would grow to a size comparable to the University of Chile. In concrete terms, in 1973 the University of Chile had a record number of students enrolled: over 65,000 students. Today it has only 26,000 students. In contrast, the Catholic University of Chile has grown from approximately 15,000 students in 1973 to over 21,650.
In spite of the complete restructuring of the University of Chile, it still remains as one of Chile's most prestigious university in terms of research, applicant preferences and social impact.
And more than twenty other centres of national and international importance.
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...
and one of the oldest in the Americas. Founded in 1842 as the replacement and continuation of the former colonial Royal University of San Felipe (1738) (Spanish: Real Universidad de San Felipe), the university is often called Casa de Bello (House of Bello) in honor of its first president, Andrés Bello
Andrés Bello
Andrés de Jesús María y José Bello López was a Venezuelan humanist, poet, lawmaker, philosopher, educator and philologist, whose political and literary works constitute an important part of Spanish American culture...
. Notable alumni include two Nobel laureates (Pablo Neruda
Pablo Neruda
Pablo Neruda was the pen name and, later, legal name of the Chilean poet, diplomat and politician Neftalí Ricardo Reyes Basoalto. He chose his pen name after Czech poet Jan Neruda....
and Gabriela Mistral
Gabriela Mistral
Gabriela Mistral was the pseudonym of Lucila de María del Perpetuo Socorro Godoy Alcayaga, a Chilean poet, educator, diplomat, and feminist who was the first Latin American to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, in 1945...
) and twenty heads of state among many others.
Background
Higher education in Chile in colonial times dates to 19 August 1622, when the first university in Chile, Santo Tomás de AquinoThomas Aquinas
Thomas Aquinas, O.P. , also Thomas of Aquin or Aquino, was an Italian Dominican priest of the Catholic Church, and an immensely influential philosopher and theologian in the tradition of scholasticism, known as Doctor Angelicus, Doctor Communis, or Doctor Universalis...
, was founded. On 28 July 1738, its name changed to Real Universidad de San Felipe, in honor of King Philip V of Spain
Philip V of Spain
Philip V was King of Spain from 15 November 1700 to 15 January 1724, when he abdicated in favor of his son Louis, and from 6 September 1724, when he assumed the throne again upon his son's death, to his death.Before his reign, Philip occupied an exalted place in the royal family of France as a...
.
Universidad de Chile
In 1841 the minister of public education, Manuel MonttManuel Montt
Manuel Francisco Antonio Julián Montt Torres was a Chilean statesman and scholar. He was twice elected President of Chile between 1851 and 1861.-Biography:...
, conceived the idea of funding a corporation for the "advancement and development of sciences and humanities". Andrés Bello
Andrés Bello
Andrés de Jesús María y José Bello López was a Venezuelan humanist, poet, lawmaker, philosopher, educator and philologist, whose political and literary works constitute an important part of Spanish American culture...
formulated the project which with small modifications became a law on 19 November 1842, creating the Universidad de Chile.
The Universidad de Chile was formally opened on 17 September 1843. During this period, the university consisted of five faculties (facultades): Humanities
Humanities
The humanities are academic disciplines that study the human condition, using methods that are primarily analytical, critical, or speculative, as distinguished from the mainly empirical approaches of the natural sciences....
& Philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
, Physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
Science
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
s & Mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
, Law
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
& Political Science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
s, Medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
, and Theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
. By 1931, the number of colleges had increased to six: Philosophy & Education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
Sciences, Legal & Social Sciences
Social sciences
Social science is the field of study concerned with society. "Social science" is commonly used as an umbrella term to refer to a plurality of fields outside of the natural sciences usually exclusive of the administrative or managerial sciences...
, Biology
Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
& Medical Sciences, Physical & Mathematical Sciences, Agronomy
Agronomy
Agronomy is the science and technology of producing and using plants for food, fuel, feed, fiber, and reclamation. Agronomy encompasses work in the areas of plant genetics, plant physiology, meteorology, and soil science. Agronomy is the application of a combination of sciences like biology,...
& Veterinary
Veterinary medicine
Veterinary Medicine is the branch of science that deals with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease, disorder and injury in non-human animals...
, and Fine Art
Fine art
Fine art or the fine arts encompass art forms developed primarily for aesthetics and/or concept rather than practical application. Art is often a synonym for fine art, as employed in the term "art gallery"....
s.
Almost all of Chile's presidents graduated from the University of Chile, including all of those in the 20th century with the exception of Eduardo Frei Montalva
Eduardo Frei Montalva
Eduardo Frei Montalva was a Chilean political leader of world stature. In his long political career, he was Minister of Public Works, president of his Christian Democratic Party, senator, President of the Senate, and president of Chile from 1964 to 1970...
(Pontifical Catholic University of Chile
Pontifical Catholic University of Chile
The Pontifical Catholic University of Chile is one of the six Catholic Universities existing in the Chilean university system and one of the two Pontifical Universities in the country, along with the Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso. It is also one of Chile's oldest universities and...
), General Carlos Ibáñez del Campo
Carlos Ibáñez del Campo
General Carlos Ibáñez del Campo was a Chilean Army officer and political figure. He served as dictator between 1927 and 1931 and as constitutional President from 1952 to 1958.- The coups of 1924 and 1925 :...
and former military dictator General Augusto Pinochet Ugarte.
Major Reforms during Military Regime of 1973-1989
During Augusto PinochetAugusto Pinochet
Augusto José Ramón Pinochet Ugarte, more commonly known as Augusto Pinochet , was a Chilean army general and dictator who assumed power in a coup d'état on 11 September 1973...
's military regime from 1973 to 1989, the University suffered many profound changes. On 2 October 1973, Decree number 50 stated that the University's Presidents would be designated by the Military Regime.
The second major blow to the University's integrity came on 3 January 1981, when another Decree completely restructured the University. All of its provincial campuses were separated, cojoined with provincial campuses of the Universidad Técnica del Estado (now Universidad de Santiago de Chile and Universidad de Atacama
Universidad de Atacama
University of Atacama or UDA is a university in Chile. It is part of the Chilean Traditional Universities. The university is located in Copiapó, in the Third Region, Atacama....
) and designated as separate universities, such as the Universidad de Talca
Universidad de Talca
The University of Talca is a Chilean university located in the cities of Talca, Curicó, and Santiago. It is a derivative university, one of the most important universities of the southern-central region of Chile, and it's part of the Chilean Traditional Universities.- History :The Universidad de...
, Universidad de Valparaiso
Universidad de Valparaíso
University of Valparaíso is a university in Chile. It is a derivative university part of the Chilean Traditional Universities.-External links:*...
, the Instituto Pedagógico (Pedagogical Institute, now the Universidad Metropolitana de Ciencias de la Educación
Universidad Metropolitana de Ciencias de la Educación
The Metropolitan University of Educational Sciences is a university specialized in Pedagogy and located in the commune of Ñuñoa, Santiago, Chile.-History:The university was created in 1889 as the Instituto Pedagógico de la Universidad de Chile...
), the Universidad de Antofagasta
Universidad de Antofagasta
University of Antofagasta is a university in Chile. It is a derivative university part of the Chilean Traditional Universities.- External links :*...
, the Universidad de Tarapacá
Universidad de Tarapacá
University of Tarapacá is a university in Arica, Chile. It is a derivative university part of the Chilean Traditional Universities. The university publishes Revista Chungará a journal on anthropology and archaeology.-External links:...
, Instituto Professional de Osorno (now Universidad de los Lagos
Universidad de Los Lagos
The University of Los Lagos is a university in Chile. It is a derivative university part of the Chilean Traditional Universities. It currently operates two campuses: the main campus in Osorno, and another in Valdivia and Puerto Montt, the regional capital....
), Instituto Professional de Chillán (now Universidad del Bío-Bío
Universidad del Bío-Bío
University of Bío-Bío is a university in Chile. It is part of the Chilean Traditional Universities.- University of Bío-Bío :The University of Bío-Bío is heir of the tradition of state and public higher education in the Bío Bío Region...
), Universidad de la Frontera
Universidad de La Frontera
University of the Frontier or UFRO is a university in Temuco Chile. It is a derivative university and part of the Chilean Traditional Universities. UFRO boasts a student body with a variety of abilities and from a variety of backgrounds, many of Mapuche descent....
, and Universidad de la Serena
Universidad de La Serena
The University of La Serena is a university in Chile located 350 miles north of Santiago. The university has five campuses: three in La Serena, one in Coquimbo, and one in Ovalle...
.
These changes were orchestrated by influential advisors to the military government as a way to severely diminish the University's influence on the nation's politics, economics, public policies and intellectual movements. Simultaneous to this process, the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile was heavily supported so that it would grow to a size comparable to the University of Chile. In concrete terms, in 1973 the University of Chile had a record number of students enrolled: over 65,000 students. Today it has only 26,000 students. In contrast, the Catholic University of Chile has grown from approximately 15,000 students in 1973 to over 21,650.
In spite of the complete restructuring of the University of Chile, it still remains as one of Chile's most prestigious university in terms of research, applicant preferences and social impact.
Colleges and campuses
The University has 16 faculties distributed in 13 campuses:- Casa Central: Headquarters. Main administrative services. 33°26′39.83"S 70°39′3.55"W
- Campus Antumapu: Located in southern Santiago, holds the Faculty of AgronomicAgronomyAgronomy is the science and technology of producing and using plants for food, fuel, feed, fiber, and reclamation. Agronomy encompasses work in the areas of plant genetics, plant physiology, meteorology, and soil science. Agronomy is the application of a combination of sciences like biology,...
Sciences, the Faculty of ForestryForestryForestry is the interdisciplinary profession embracing the science, art, and craft of creating, managing, using, and conserving forests and associated resources in a sustainable manner to meet desired goals, needs, and values for human benefit. Forestry is practiced in plantations and natural stands...
Sciences and the Faculty of Veterinary and Bovine Sciences. (Web site) - Campus Andrés Bello: Located in Downtown Santiago, holds the Faculty of ArchitectureArchitectureArchitecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
and UrbanismUrbanismBroadly, urbanism is a focus on cities and urban areas, their geography, economies, politics, social characteristics, as well as the effects on, and caused by, the built environment.-Philosophy:...
and the Faculty of EconomicEconomicsEconomics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
and BusinessBusinessA business is an organization engaged in the trade of goods, services, or both to consumers. Businesses are predominant in capitalist economies, where most of them are privately owned and administered to earn profit to increase the wealth of their owners. Businesses may also be not-for-profit...
. - Campus Juan Gómez Millas: Located in the ÑuñoaÑuñoaÑuñoa is a commune of Chile located in Santiago Province, Santiago Metropolitan Region. Its inhabitants are primarily a middle and upper-middle class....
district of Santiago, holds the Bachelor Program, the Faculty of ArtsArts Faculty, Universidad de ChileIn 1849 was created the first Arts School in Chile, as the Painting School was founded inside the University of Chile, under the direction of painter Alejandro Cicarelli, five years later follows the Sculpture and Design School, renaming itself as the Fine Arts School, parallelly in 1849 he Music...
, the Faculty of Science, the Faculty of PhilosophyPhilosophyPhilosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
& HumanitiesHumanitiesThe humanities are academic disciplines that study the human condition, using methods that are primarily analytical, critical, or speculative, as distinguished from the mainly empirical approaches of the natural sciences....
, the Faculty of Social SciencesSocial sciencesSocial science is the field of study concerned with society. "Social science" is commonly used as an umbrella term to refer to a plurality of fields outside of the natural sciences usually exclusive of the administrative or managerial sciences...
, the School of JournalismJournalismJournalism is the practice of investigation and reporting of events, issues and trends to a broad audience in a timely fashion. Though there are many variations of journalism, the ideal is to inform the intended audience. Along with covering organizations and institutions such as government and...
and the recently refounded Film SchoolFilm schoolThe term film school is used to describe any educational institution dedicated to teaching aspects of filmmaking, including such subjects as film production, film theory, digital media production, and screenwriting. Film history courses and hands-on technical training are usually incorporated into...
. - Campus Downtown: Holds the Faculty of Arts, the Faculty of Theatre and the School of Government
- Campus Medicine (North): Holds the University's Clinic Hospital, the Faculty of ChemicalChemistryChemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
& Pharmaceutical Sciences, the Faculty of DentistryDentistryDentistry is the branch of medicine that is involved in the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body. Dentistry is widely considered...
, and the Faculty of Medicine. (Web site) - Campus Medicine (South): Site of the Barros Luco Trudeau Hospital and the Exequiel González Cortés Childrens Hospital.
- Campus Medicine (East): Holds the Salvador Hospital, the Thorax institute, the Luis Tisné Hospital and the Calvo Mackenna Childrens Hospital.
- Campus Medicine (Center): Holds the San Borja-Arriarán Hospital.
- Campus Medicine (West): Holds the San Juan de Dios Hospital and the Traumatology Insitute.
- Campus Pío Nono: Holds the Faculty of LawLawLaw is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
. (Web site) 33°26′6.99"S 70°38′6.72"W - Campus Beauchef: Holds the Faculty of Physical and Mathematical Sciences and the School of EngineeringEngineeringEngineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
. (Web site) 33°27′27.83"S 70°39′46.66"W
Related institutions and services
The University of Chile is in charge of a variety of nationwide services and institutions, including:- The National Astronomical Observatory, functioning since 1852
- The Chilean Commission on Nuclear Energy (CCHEN)
- The Contemporary Art Museum (MAC)
- Investigative efforts in Antarctica, since 1940
- Official seismologicalSeismologySeismology is the scientific study of earthquakes and the propagation of elastic waves through the Earth or through other planet-like bodies. The field also includes studies of earthquake effects, such as tsunamis as well as diverse seismic sources such as volcanic, tectonic, oceanic,...
service and volcanicVolcano2. Bedrock3. Conduit 4. Base5. Sill6. Dike7. Layers of ash emitted by the volcano8. Flank| 9. Layers of lava emitted by the volcano10. Throat11. Parasitic cone12. Lava flow13. Vent14. Crater15...
activity vigilance, since 1908 - Chile's Symphonic OrchestraOrchestraAn orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
, since 1941 - Chile's National BalletBalletBallet is a type of performance dance, that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century, and which was further developed in France and Russia as a concert dance form. The early portions preceded the invention of the proscenium stage and were presented in large chambers with...
, since 1945 - Symphonic ChorusChoirA choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
, since 1945 - Centre for GreekGreeksThe Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
, ByzantineByzantine EmpireThe Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
, and Neohellenic Studies; Centre for ArabArabArab people, also known as Arabs , are a panethnicity primarily living in the Arab world, which is located in Western Asia and North Africa. They are identified as such on one or more of genealogical, linguistic, or cultural grounds, with tribal affiliations, and intra-tribal relationships playing...
ic Studies; and Center for Judaic Culture Studies - Largest ClinicClinicA clinic is a health care facility that is primarily devoted to the care of outpatients...
al HospitalHospitalA hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment by specialized staff and equipment. Hospitals often, but not always, provide for inpatient care or longer-term patient stays....
in the country - Institute for Easter IslandEaster IslandEaster Island is a Polynesian island in the southeastern Pacific Ocean, at the southeasternmost point of the Polynesian triangle. A special territory of Chile that was annexed in 1888, Easter Island is famous for its 887 extant monumental statues, called moai, created by the early Rapanui people...
Studies - Center for Mathematical Modeling (CMM)Center for Mathematical Modeling (CMM)The Center for Mathematical Modeling was created in 2000 to encompass an explosion of ideas, projects and scientific initiatives triggered by the research and training activities that were being conducted by members of the Department of Mathematical Engineering at Universidad de Chile...
- Centre for Space-related Studies, with collaborative activities at NASANASAThe National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
, and other international agencies - Universidad de Chile TheatreTheatreTheatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance...
- Institute of Public Affairs (INAP)
- NutritionNutritionNutrition is the provision, to cells and organisms, of the materials necessary to support life. Many common health problems can be prevented or alleviated with a healthy diet....
and Food TechnologyFood technologyFood technology, is a branch of food science which deals with the actual production processes to make foods.-Early history of food technology:...
Institute (INTA) - MuseumMuseumA museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...
of Popular American Art, since 1947 - Experimental TheatreExperimental theatreExperimental theatre is a general term for various movements in Western theatre that began in the late 19th century as a retraction against the dominant vent governing the writing and production of dramatical menstrophy, and age in particular. The term has shifted over time as the mainstream...
(1944) (later National Theatre of Chile) - Chile's NIC.cl.cl is the Internet country code top-level domain for Chile, and the Easter Islands. It is administered by the University of Chile. Registration of second-level domains under this TLD is open to anyone, however, foreign registrants must provide a domestic contact with a RUT, the Chilean national...
. - The Institute for Experimentation and Research of Materials, IDIEM.
And more than twenty other centres of national and international importance.
See also
- Notable alumni of the University of Chile
- University of Chile Student FederationUniversity of Chile Student FederationThe University of Chile Student Federation is an organization that represents all the students enrolled in undergraduate and post-graduate courses at the University of Chile. The student organizations of the different undergraduate schools are also federated within the FECH...
(FECH)