This Tuesday, January 31, 2023, in the Gardens of Casa Prochelle in Valdivia, the Design of the Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation Strategy (CTCI) for the Los Ríos Region was presented.
During the conference, the Regional Governor and President of the Los Ríos Regional Council, Luis Cuvertino Gómez, together with related public and academic authorities, informed the media and citizens of the start of the Preparation of the Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation for the Development of the Los Ríos Region.
The initiative is financed by the Innovation Fund for Competitiveness (FIC) of the Regional Government of Los Ríos and its Regional Council, managed by the Regional Productive Development Corporation (CRDP) and executed by the Universidad Austral de Chile, through the Faculty of Economic and Administrative Sciences.
The entry into force of Law 21,074 on strengthening regionalization, establishes several changes related to the powers, organization and powers of Regional Governments. One of these modifications corresponds to the creation of the Regional Committees of Science, Technology and Innovation (CTCI), for development, whose function will be to elaborate and propose to the Regional Government a Regional Strategy of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation, among others. functions.
To achieve the above, the Regional Government of Los Ríos and its Regional Council mandate the Regional Corporation for Productive Development to support the process of elaboration of the Strategy of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation for the development of the Los Ríos region, initiative that will be carried out in close connection with the Division of Development and Industry of the Regional Government. For this, there is a total budget of $100,000,000, from the Innovation Fund for Competitiveness.
In an execution time of 6 months, the region will have a “Roadmap”, with actions in the short, medium and long term, which will identify driving initiatives, understood as those that could be implemented in the short term and investment plans. aimed at solving at least 4 validated and prioritized knots or gaps that the region presents in CTC areas
Reactions of the authorities and academics
The Regional Governor, Luis Cuvertino stated that “in the short term, that is, in the next six months of work, this region will also have a regional science, technology, knowledge and innovation strategy that will allow, through this, to place important attributes to the development of the region. Undoubtedly, this seeks to contribute to the development of agriculture, and all productive areas, but also to the well-being of people, and that is why we have high expectations that the capacity that the advancement of research and the contribution of our universities, makes this region have a sustainable development, with a capacity for innovation and that always puts the well-being of people at the center”.
On the other hand, the Regional Councilor and President of the Productive Development Commission, Matías Fernández, highlighted that “this is a collaborative effort, which has great fruits, the words that make up this strategy are great guides that allow us to precisely consider the future of regional and national policy and there I also want to highlight two elements that arise from the Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation committee that is installed in 2022, being the first in the country and from where we can reveal the gender element in this strategy that it is fundamental, since it is not only in the word but also in the action of the initiatives and on the other hand the wide perspective from which knowledge is seen”.
On behalf of the UACh, the Vice Chancellor for Research, Development and Artistic Creation, Dr. Mylthon Jiménez, indicated that “as a University we are aware that one of the pillars for the development of its community is knowledge and with it development. Supporting this strategy is undoubtedly a great commitment to the region, being a very participatory process, where different elements and social actors come together. It is the duty of our institution to guarantee that this strategy in science, technology, knowledge and innovation for the Los Ríos Region is managed in the best way”.
The Seremi de Ciencias de la Macrozona Sur, Maite Castro, commented that “from this Seremi we are committed to this strategy, our region being an example for the country. Having a strategy that is put at the service of people, in all the dimensions that knowledge involves”.
For his part, Francisco Valencia, academic and coordinator of the transdisciplinary team of the Faculty of Economic and Administrative Sciences (FACEA) revealed that “we are aware of what this initiative involves, of the human capital that the region has and that can undoubtedly contribute with different perspectives on productive development and knowledge in the area. To understand that this is a collaborative work, between the public, private and academia world around common challenges and opportunities with a view of sustainable development”.
