- María Elena Boisier, UC’s Director of Research, represented both UC and Chile at the global gathering in the United States organized by the University of Notre Dame, which brought together more than 45 international institutions and aimed to strengthen academic and research partnerships.
The Pontifical Catholic University of Chile (UC) took part in the first Global Partners Conference organized by the University of Notre Dame (UND) in the United States, held between September 21 and 26.
The event brought together representatives from more than 45 universities across different continents, with the goal of strengthening academic ties, fostering innovation, and consolidating networks for collaborative research. It was an unprecedented gathering that sets a milestone for the international projection of university research.
Representing UC was María Elena Boisier, Director of the Office of Research (DINV). Her presence highlighted both the importance of our university within the global academic ecosystem and the responsibility of positioning UC in a space where experiences are shared, opportunities are explored, and new strategic alliances are built.
The relationship between UC and Notre Dame has historically been broad, spanning areas such as research, student and academic mobility, and a shared perspective on the mission of universities.
“This invitation to take part in the global partners meeting is important because UND is one of UC’s most comprehensive allies, not only in research and mobility, but also because we share a common perspective: a Catholic vision,” said Boisier.
During her visit, the Director of DINV participated in activities with Juan Esteban Montes, the University of Notre Dame’s representative in Chile, further reinforcing the bilateral collaboration both institutions have sustained throughout the years. “It is a great opportunity to meet Notre Dame’s partners from around the world and to showcase how strong UND’s collaboration with our university is,” Boisier added.
The centerpiece of her participation was the panel Supporting Global Research Collaborations: Building Institutional Capacity, where she presented on the institutional tools UC has developed to strengthen the internationalization of research. “We want to showcase what we do from an international research perspective, how we promote global ties, and also learn from the experiences of other universities present at this conference,” she explained.
Regarding the objectives of the conference, Juan Esteban Montes, emphasized: “The motivation stems from Notre Dame’s strategic framework, where partnerships with strategic allies are one of the fundamental pillars. The goal is to move toward deeper, sustained, and long-term relationships.”
At the close of the sessions, Boisier highlighted the role UC seeks to play in global research. “The key message is that universities must support and collaborate with one another. Research management and development are strengthened through collaboration, as well as through the sharing of experiences and mutual learning,” she stated.
UC and Notre Dame: an academic alliance of more than two decades
UC and UND have maintained an academic collaboration for over 20 years, through joint doctoral programs, academic exchanges, research stays, and projects supported by the Luksic Foundation. This relationship has allowed both institutions to strengthen their international reach and generate a positive impact on the training of researchers and students.
Within this framework, the participation of María Elena Boisier as a representative of the university and of Chile at the Global Partners Conference marks another step in deepening these ties. “The University of Notre Dame is a key partner for us, with whom we have already established a long-standing collaboration. These instances allow us to strengthen those bonds even further, while also getting to know other partners UND works with,” Boisier noted.
Montes underlined the significance of this relationship: “The alliance with UC is unique for Notre Dame: it is not only about student exchanges, but a multi-level cooperation. The first dual PhD program that Notre Dame signed worldwide was precisely with UC, which reflects the depth of this alliance.”
For UC’s Office of Research, these spaces for collaboration are essential to strengthening an academic ecosystem that is open to the world. Each international partnership translates into concrete opportunities to advance joint research agendas, promote academic mobility, and train highly qualified professionals capable of responding to the challenges of a globalized environment.
In this sense, UC’s representation at Notre Dame not only reinforces the university’s visibility in international arenas, but also reaffirms its capacity to position itself as a key actor in the construction of collaborative knowledge with impact on both the scientific community and society.
Montes concluded that shared learning is crucial: “There was a great level of enthusiasm and commitment throughout the week, and the opportunity to get to know each other in depth opens many possibilities to continue building together.”
Looking ahead, UC projects that this alliance with Notre Dame will continue to strengthen through innovative programs, greater academic mobility, and new collaborative research projects. The Office of Research underscores that the commitment is clear: to contribute to the generation of cutting-edge knowledge that combines global impact with local relevance, for the benefit of both the academic community and the country.
