On auditorium of the IAE Business School, on the Pilar Campus, the Rector of the Universidad AustralProfessor Julián Rodríguez inaugurated the 2026 academic year with a call to humanize technology and train individuals capable of using it critically. During his speech, he also presented the main pillars of the institution's vision for 2030, focusing on education, health, and technology at the service of the individual.
The event brought together academic authorities, faculty, researchers, students, and representatives from various institutions affiliated with the University. Seated at the head table were the Vice-Rector for Research, Dr. Juan Bautista Etcheverry, and the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, Dr. Lourdes Perea Muñoz.
On the stage were the deans of the Faculty of Business Sciences —from the Pilar and Rosario—, of Law, of Communication, of Biomedical Sciences, of Engineering, of the School of Education and of IAE The Business School, along with the Dean of the Institute of Family Sciences and Vice-Rector of Students and Extension, Dr. Lorena Bolzon, participated in the ceremony. Also present were the Vice-Rector of Economic Affairs, Eng. Pablo De Lazzari; the Vice-Rector of Outreach, Mg. Ana Galiano; and the Secretary General, Dr. Luis García Ghezzi. The ceremony was also attended by the General Director of the Austral University Hospital, members of ACES, the Board of Directors, the Regional Vicar of the Prelature of Opus Dei, and representatives from various sectors of public life.
During his address, the Rector reflected on the profound transformations taking place in the contemporary world, marked by the accelerated advancement of technology in areas such as education, health, and work. “What attitude will we adopt toward the technological revolution? Openness, but with discernment; agility, but with humanism,” he stated.
Rodríguez warned about the risk of losing sight of the human dimension of education in a context of increasing digitalization: “A university without a vision risks falling into soulless efficiency, where knowledge is standardized and the spirit is weakened.”
In that context, he emphasized that the challenge is not to resist technological innovation but to guide it toward serving the individual. “No algorithm can replace what makes education human: poetry, irony, love, art, and the joy of discovery,” he stated.
He also stressed that university education should prepare students to thrive in a changing technological environment without losing sight of their uniquely human capabilities.
“Our responsibility is to prepare students to use these tools critically, developing empathy, sound judgment, and emotional intelligence; abilities that no machine can replace,” he said.
Rodríguez also reaffirmed the importance of the educational model of the Universidad Austral based on personal accompaniment. “Our model of personal accompaniment, the cor ad cor loquitur"It remains our cornerstone: we train people, not just professionals," he said.
The Rector also presented the main guidelines of the University's strategic projection towards 2030. Among them, he highlighted the objective of strengthening the Austral ecosystem in health and applied technology, articulating the academic, scientific and healthcare capabilities of the institution.
“We want to be a point of reference that provides cutting-edge healthcare, leveraging translational research, but without ever losing sight of the physical and spiritual dimension of the person,” he explained.
This vision seeks to strengthen the regional relevance of the University, relying especially on the joint work of the Austral University Hospital, the Faculty of Engineering, the Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and the Technology Park.
Rodríguez also noted that the infrastructure projects underway, including those linked to the University Hospital, will involve significant investments and will require a greater commitment from the entire university community.
She also emphasized the prioritization of research aimed at addressing societal challenges. In this context, she reiterated the five lines of action that will guide the University's future decisions: technologies applied to health; precision medicine, translational and clinical research; society, democracy, and institutional quality; care, well-being, and human flourishing; and innovation, digital transformation, and sustainability.
Furthermore, progress will be made in curricular innovation aimed at revising study plans to provide them with greater flexibility, promote interdisciplinarity, and generate academic proposals relevant to the needs of society.
During the ceremony, members of the university community were also recognized for their dedication and service. In particular, those who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to their work at the University for 25 years were honored.
Likewise, recognition was given to those who obtained their Doctoral degree during 2025, in merit of academic excellence and the contribution that their research represents for society.
As part of the day's events, Dr. Ricardo Crespo delivered a keynote lecture entitled “Artificial Intelligence, an enriching attitude for humanity”, in which she reflected on the impact of new technologies from a philosophical and humanistic perspective.
Crespo holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Amsterdam. He currently serves as a professor of Philosophy of Economics at the IAE Business School and principal investigator to honor of CONICET. Throughout his academic career he has held various positions in the Universidad Austral, including Academic Secretary and Vice-Rector of Research and Academic Affairs.
At the close of his speech, the Rector invited the entire university community to renew the profound meaning of the educational task.
“We want to be the university that generates the greatest positive impact on people. We seek to improve society through you: men and women committed to truth, freedom, and compassion. And, from now on, to transform society through the actions of our graduates,” he concluded.
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