Each year, the most important event for scientific promotion in the south of Chile presents innovations, conquers the public, uses a simple and friendly language and connects with educational establishments with an imperishable message: the invitation to live science.

It was the XIII. Research Exhibition of the Universidad de La Frontera (UFRO), called FIUFRO 2019, where academics, researchers and scientists of the university brought their work to the public, in order to share – especially with young children and teenagers – the results and latest advances obtained through their different projects and initiatives in the most diverse fields of knowledge.

“It has been thirteen years since we decided to prepare a scientific exhibition open to the public. Today, we have 70 stands that represent more than 300 researchers, who are showing and evidencing new knowledge generated outside of the capital city. Besides, it is one of the really big events for the Universidad de La Frontera, because it presents our research capacities, ideas, proposals and objectives which, without a doubt, bring us fame and, at the same time, allow us to present and spread science among the country,” Dr. Eduardo Hebel, the Rector of the UFRO, pointed out.

Each year, this most important event for scientific promotion in the south of Chile presents innovations, conquers the public, uses a simple and friendly language and connects with educational establishments with an imperishable and necessary message for the new generations: to live science and to be part of the development, which this university has reached.

The Vice-rector for Research and Graduate Studies, Dr. Renato Hunter, confirmed some relevant results for the UFRO: “The continuous growth we achieved during the last ten years allowed us to position ourselves in an advanced way among the Chilean universities. Regarding our publications, we have grown around 20% and we expect to have a number of approximately 500 articles of scientific production, which is an important milestone for us, but also from the point of view of research projects: we have maintained our rate of awarded projects. That reaffirms the quality and maturity we achieved.”

But, according to Dr. Hunter, it is also important that the university continues growing, with more and a better infrastructure, both for research and outreach and community engagement, with companies and, especially, with the region. In this context, he said: “We have developed an ambitious project, envisioning a Technology Park, which will be part of the Universidad de La Frontera in the future, contemplating the entrepreneurial component and academic research linked to the regional government, the municipalities and state agencies, which promote innovation, entrepreneurship and associativity.”

RECOGNITION FOR VOCATION AND PRODUCTIVITY

During FIUFRO 2019, there was a space for recognition. This year, the academic of the Department of Education, Dr. Sonia Osses, received a tribute in retribution to more than 30 years of service at the university, especially at the Faculty of Education, Social Science and Humanities, contributing to the knowledge in the fields of education and psychopedagogy.

Her important contribution includes more than 20 ISI, WOS, Scielo and Scopus indexed publications, the development of 10 Fondecyt, PIA and Mineduc projects, and her participation in national and international editorial committees, as well as her work done for the Master and Doctoral Program in Education. Dr. Osses, who has carried out executive positions and has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Universidad de La Frontera, received a well-deserved recognition, which was granted by Dr. Renato Hunter, the Vice-rector for Research and Graduate Studies of the university.

BEST STANDS

This year, the visitors were the ones who got to vote which was the best stand at the exhibition. First place went to the module "Fundamental Rights: Discrimination and Social Groups", by Dr. Estefanía Esparza of the Faculty of Law and Business. The second place went to the Nucleus of Social Sciences and Dr. Marianela Denegri, for the development of an innovative proposal to teach about economy and the importance of conscious saving. And the third place went to the module Neurosciences and Action, by Dr. Germán Gálvez.

	Yasmín Henríquez, School: Liceo Isabel Poblete Vargas “This is one of the best events the UFRO could have planned. This exhibition shows all its scientific activities, which normally not all of the students of the different schools are able to see. These stands are full of learning and you can find the most diverse topics, from knowledge of bacteria to the environment. This is a very important opportunity for young people.”
	Antonia Parra, School: Colegio Gabriela Mistral “I did not know a lot about this exhibition when I got here, but I liked it right away. I am going to participate in the interview with a very important UFRO researcher, Dr. Francisco Matus, in order to learn about soil and soils in extreme sectors.”
	José Bustamante, School: Liceo Padre Nicolás de Vilcún “I love technology and science fairs. And this one seems very interesting to me, with a high level regarding the presentation of the topics, for example, I was able to learn about the development of plants, the immunological system, and there are many projects associated to biotechnology, what I would like to study at the UFRO in the future.”