On Thursday, November 28, the Universidad Central de Chile celebrated its 42nd anniversary in a solemn ceremony held in the “Fundadores” Aula Magna. During the event, the institution’s track record as a pluralistic, inclusive, non-profit university with a democratic governance model unique in the country was highlighted.
One of the most significant moments of the day was the presentation of the prestigious “2024 Founders Medal”, an award given since 2012 to personalities who embody the university’s core values. This year, the honor went to Dr.. Dora Altbir Drullinsky, executive director of the CEDENNA Foundation and 2019 National Prize for Exact Sciences winner.
Dr. Altbir holds a PhD in Exact Sciences with a specialization in Physics and has devoted her life to research in magnetism and nanoscience, achieving outstanding advances in these fields. Her career includes numerous national and international distinctions, such as the aforementioned 2019 National Prize for Exact Sciences and presidential recognition on International Women’s Day 2018 for her contribution to breaking gender stereotypes. This year she was also awarded the United Nations National Award for Inventors, which seeks to encourage innovation and highlight the impact of inventions on national development.
Throughout her career, Dr. Altbir has received nine international awards, including her affiliation with the International Institute for Sustainability at Hiroshima University, Japan. Her work has not only been pioneering in science, but has also been characterized by her commitment to science outreach and the training of new generations of researchers and engineers.
The award winner said that «I would like to begin by deeply thanking Universidad Central for the very significant recognition it gives me today. But more than me, I believe this medal today celebrates science, this tremendous adventure that leads us to explore the confines of the Universe, the megaworld, but also the smallest, the nanoworld».
In her remarks she stressed that «developed countries, such as the US, Japan, Israel, Korea and the European Economic Community, invest between 2.5% and 5% of their gross domestic product in basic science (we invest 0.34%). They do not do it because doing science is fashionable, because now it seems it is finally fashionable. No. They invest because basic science, the kind practically all scientists in Chile do, produces fundamental technological advances that lead to greater well-being in countries».
She concluded her remarks by saying that «I would like to thank my family, who have been the electrons that have driven my life, and sincerely thank Universidad Central for this distinction, which I receive as an encouragement to continue working with the same passion and commitment I have had all my life. I am convinced that science, in all its forms, has the power to transform lives; and that universities like ours are key to building a more developed and more equitable Chile».
At Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (CEDENNA) we congratulate the executive director of the CEDENNA Foundation on this well-deserved recognition, which reflects not only her unparalleled scientific career but also her commitment to the advancement of science.
Congratulations, Dr. Dora Altbir, on this important achievement!
Source: https://www.ucentral.cl/noticias/corporacion/sin-titulo-199038045
