Biotecnología: estrategia de
desarrollo universitario

Distinct policies have converged in one central idea: converting biotechnology into a catalyst for the national economy. One of the areas is oriented to establishing the necessary infrastructure to scale-up and increase the productivity of biotechnological enterprises.

In the Universidad de Concepción, there are several academic groups researching in biotechnology, principally in the forestry, environmental, aquiculture and medical areas. Much of this research has taken place with support from pioneering companies who perceived that the solutions to their problems and the creation of new products could emerge from this area of research.

In response to this reality, the Chancellor’s Office of the Universidad de Concepción created, in a first stage, the Biotechnology Program of the Universidad de Concepción, whose principal objective was the
stimulation of biotechnology development in accordance with the necessities of the regional community, while strengthening the University’s relations with the public and private world.

In a second stage, the Biotechnology Center initiated its activities, and at the end of this year it will occupy its own building that is to be built on the University Campus. Its installations will house 11 laboratories for research by local scientists whose initiatives are linked to productive development.

Another important aspect developed in this line has been the creation of a Biosecurity diploma, a unique initiative. In addition to these advances, several undergraduate programs have also been developed in the area as well as diverse lines of research in biotechnology, which permits the University to be in an excellent position to receive the Global Biotechnology Forum, where the impact of this specialty on the development of our countries will be discussed and new information will be provided en pos of the completion success of this strategy of scientific and technologic development.