Chile's Universidad de Tarapacá appoints first female rector as University of Los Lagos partners with Chiloé health‑care

Jenniffer Peralta Montecinos was elected the first woman to serve as rector of the Universidad de Tarapacá, a historic change after 90 years of male leadership. The appointment was celebrated in Arica with mayor Orlando Vargas Pizarro highlighting the potential for stronger ties between the university and municipal authorities, and recalling his role in establishing the university’s medical school.

Separately, the University of Los Lagos and the Servicio de Salud Chiloé signed a collaboration agreement to boost research, innovation and training in the archipelago. The partnership will link academic expertise with health‑service data to develop projects addressing local health challenges and to inform public‑policy decisions in the Chiloé province.