Chilean Universities Advance Research Training and Curriculum Review

The Department of Chemical Sciences at Universidad Andrés Bello in Concepción hosted a four‑day workshop on advanced computational chemistry methods, led by Dr. Kirill Zinovjev, a Latvian researcher from the University of Valencia. Funded by a Fondecyt Iniciación grant (project 11241225) under the direction of Dr. María Fernanda Mendoza, the event provided graduate students and faculty with hands‑on training in enhanced sampling, adaptive string methods, and machine‑learning tools for enzyme‑catalyzed reaction simulations, and it aims to strengthen scientific collaboration between the two institutions.

Separately, the Faculty of Chemistry and Biology at Universidad de Santiago de Chile convened a self‑evaluation session with the university’s Quality Assurance Department and the Vice‑Dean of Teaching, Dr. Iriux Almodóvar. Participants reviewed governance criteria, resource allocation, and the upcoming FODA analysis to redesign the curriculum in line with new accreditation standards and the Initial Teacher Training Law. Alumni and faculty highlighted the need for continuous professional development and the implementation of a revised study plan (code 4182).