XAUAT News Network: XAUAT held a video conference with the University of Chile on April 26, 2023, to discuss details of cooperation for the Silk Road International Alliance of Architectural and Technological Universities (SRIAATU). Dr. Daniel Opazo Ortiz, Director of Academic and International Relations of the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanization, Wang Chunmei, Vice Director of the Office of International Affairs, and relevant staff were at the meeting.

Through video conferencing, Wang introduced the basic information about XAUAT. She noted that as equally important in their respective countries, XAUAT and the University of Chile are known for their highly ranked programs in QS global ranking, such as architecture and urbanization, geography, mining engineering, and civil engineering, which have gained rich academic backgrounds and fruitful achievements. On behalf of XAUAT, Wang invited the University of Chile to propose to establish SRIAATU jointly, and by doing so, the two institutions could collaborate in think tank, student and faculty exchange, joint research, academic conferences, and integration of industry, university, and research.

Dr. Ortiz expressed gratitude for being invited to jointly establish SRIAATU and briefly introduced the University of Chile to its location, schools, students and faculties, and international exchange. He pointed out that, as one of the best schools in the University of Chile, the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanization is willing to expand its partnership with Asian higher institutions to discuss the potential for collaboration and promote a win-win situation for the two institutions.

Founded in 1842, the University of Chile is located in San Diego, the capital of Chile. The university is home to 43000 students and 3800 faculty members. A total of 21 Chilean presidents are alumni of this university. Moreover, two laureates of the Noble Prize in Literature, Gabriela Mistral (1945) and Pablo Neruda (1971), were also notable alumni of this university.

The University of Chile has 16 faculties and three institutes, including the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanisation, Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, and Faculty of Science, among others. In 2023, it’s ranked 167th in the QS World University Rankings; its Minerals and Mining Engineering program is ranked 8th in the QS World University Rankings by Subject; other programs such as Geography is ranked 49th, Architecture and the Built Environment is ranked 51st-100th, and Civil Engineering is ranked 101st-150th.