Last Thursday, November 28, the Universidad Central de Chile celebrated its 42nd anniversary in a solemn ceremony held in the Aula Magna "Fundadores". During the event, the institution's trajectory as a pluralistic, inclusive, non-profit educational institution 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 "Founders Medal 2024", a recognition given since 2012 to personalities who embody the fundamental values of the university. This year, the honor fell to Dr. Dora Altbir Drullinsky, executive director of the CEDENNA Foundation and 2019 National Prize for Exact Sciences.
Dr. Altbir holds a PhD in Exact Sciences with a major in Physics and has dedicated her life to research in magnetism and nanoscience, achieving significant advances in these fields. Her career includes multiple national and international awards, such as the aforementioned National Prize for Exact Sciences in 2019 and the presidential recognition on International Women's Day 2018, for her contribution to breaking gender stereotypes. In addition, this year she was awarded the United Nations National Prize for Inventors, which seeks to promote innovation and highlight the impact of inventions on national development.
Throughout her career, Dr. Altbir has been awarded nine international recognitions, including her affiliation with the International Institute for Sustainability at Hiroshima University, Japan. Her work has not only been pioneering in the scientific field, but has also been characterized by her commitment to the dissemination of science and the training of new generations of researchers and engineers.
The award winner mentioned that "I would like to begin by deeply thanking the Central University for the significant recognition it has given me today. But more than me, I believe that this medal today celebrates science, this tremendous adventure that takes us to discover the confines of the Universe, the mega-world, but also the smallest, the nano-world."
He highlighted that "developed countries, such as the United States, 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 that it is finally fashionable. No. They invest because basic science, which practically all scientists in Chile do, produces fundamental technological advances that lead to greater well-being in the countries."
She concluded her speech by saying that "I would like to thank my family, who have been the electrons that have guided my life, and sincerely thank the Universidad Central for this distinction, which I receive as an impulse to continue working with the same passion and commitment that I have had throughout my life. I am convinced that science, in all its forms, has the power to transform lives; and that universities, like ours, are the key pieces to build a more developed and more equitable Chile."
From the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (CEDENNA) we congratulate the executive director of the CEDENNA Foundation for this well-deserved recognition, which not only reflects her unparalleled scientific career, but also her commitment to the advancement of science..
Fuente: https://www.ucentral.cl/noticias/corporacion/sin-titulo-199038045
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