We support the UCN Coquimbo's Social Pre-University program.

Since 2017, the Catholic University of the North, Coquimbo branch, has been carrying out its Social Pre-university, through its Pastoral and Christian Culture department, a project born from the students of the house of studies so that young people in fourth grade and graduates can opt for a free pre-university in order to prepare for the Access to Higher Education Test (PAES).

Under this slogan, in the framework of the launching of its 2023 version, a collaboration agreement was signed between the Universidad Católica del Norte and Compañía Minera del Pacífico (CMP), which will sponsor the initiative, benefiting 50 young people from the Coquimbo district, also providing support in the process through motivational talks by professionals from the company.

This alliance integrates the commitment of both entities to improve the quality of life and equity in the territories and their communities, mainly in the sectors linked to their respective activities, in addition to promoting the development of people and internally mobilizing those who are part of these organizations, such as students and workers.

In this sense, the Vice Rector of the UCN Coquimbo Campus, Dr. Elvira Badilla, emphasized that "for us, as an institution, clearly the UCN Social Pre-University is a very important program because of its transcendence and relevance. Thanks to this agreement we will be able to reach more students and improve opportunities for our young people as part of our social responsibility, as stated in our institutional mission. This is a virtuous alliance, because it allows us, as an institution of higher education, to continue collaborating to achieve a better and more equitable society, which has an impact on achieving the longed-for social peace, which is undoubtedly an obligation for all of us.

Likewise, the Sustainability Manager of Compañía Minera del Pacífico, John Patrick McNab Martin, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity provided by this agreement:

"Because it will support education in different areas, generating new opportunities for more young people to access a university career. This is one of the initiatives developed by CMP to promote education in the country and specifically in the territories where we are located, involving territorial development and its people. In addition, we will be part of this volunteering with professionals who will support the preparation of the students of this pre-university".

IMPORTANT ACHIEVEMENTS

During the launching ceremony and signing of the agreement, Andrea Letelier, Director of the Department of Pastoral and Christian Culture UCN, gave a balance of these 5 versions, highlighting that more than 200 students have been beneficiaries since its first version, 190 of them in person and 35 online during 2021, in pandemic.

For his part, Bastián Martínez, beneficiary of the year 2022 and today a student of Commercial Engineering UCN, said that his time at the Social Pre-University "meant an important support, because I did not have the resources, so as it was free I did not think twice to enter. It was a very positive experience, we had many talks with psychologists and constant evaluations and tests. Thanks to them I entered UCN and the career I wanted, so now I signed up as a volunteer, to also help students who want to participate this year".

Meanwhile, Emily Volta, also a graduate and participant in the initiative, said that "thanks to the pre-university I was able to fulfill my dream of entering UCN and study Civil Engineering in Computer Science and Informatics. I am grateful for all the support we have received from the Pastoral who have accompanied us throughout the process, which makes us feel much more relaxed and confident".