The rector of the Universidad AustralJulián Rodríguez presided over the opening of the 2023 academic year. The ceremony took place in the Olivo building on the Pilar Campus and was attended by key authorities, faculty, staff, and students. Rodríguez encouraged the professors to be an inspiration to their students, urging them to strive for a better future in our country.

The Rector of the Universidad AustralMag. Julián Rodríguez, inaugurated the 2023 academic year, in the traditional ceremony that brings together the entire university community.

“We belong to a university, by choice and by a sense of purpose, and this creates commitments for us; because we belong to the possibility of deepening our thinking and working directly with human beings, which are people, and we transform study into attitudes, into life decisions. It generates responsibilities, and it offers the possibility of the very opposite of privilege: it offers the possibility of commitment. It teaches us to be open to the community, to everyone. It teaches charity, the attitude of service, openness, being attentive to others,” these were the words chosen by the rector at the beginning of his speech.

In presiding over the first event of the year, Rodríguez expressed his concern about a persistent problem in Argentina: the exodus of so many young professionals from the country in search of a better future, more opportunities, and greater security. “We are training top-level professionals to contribute value elsewhere. This is not a good investment for our society,” he stated.

And at this point, he posed several questions to the teaching staff: “What are we going to do? How can we help them to commit to changing the reality that surrounds us and how can we support them when they face difficulties? I ask myself and I ask you: what do you find in us when you share your concerns or your dreams with us?”

“I am convinced that, as a university, we must contribute to change in our country through our students and graduates, and their social commitment. Let us demonstrate our own passion for service, for the common good, and inspire a sense of responsibility to take charge of our shared destiny! And when they, the students, find fire in our hearts and see that we ignite environments of hope and consistency in our dedication, then they will know that it is worthwhile to stay and that it is possible to dream of a new future,” he encouraged them.

The rector was accompanied by the Vice-Rector for Research, Dr. Domingo Tarzia, and the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, Dr. Lourdes Perea Muñoz. The Vice-Rector of the Campus was also present. Rosario and Dean of the Faculty of Business Sciences at that campus, Mag. Ana Eugenia Galiano; the Vice-Rector of Students and Extension, Esp. María Susana Urrutia; the General Secretary, Mag. Luis García Ghezzi; the deans of the Faculties of Business Sciences of Pilar, of Law, of Biomedical Sciences and of the School of Education, also the Deans of the Faculty of Communication, of Engineering, of the IAE Business School and the Institute of Family Sciences.

Also present were the General Director of the Austral University Hospital, members of the Superior Council, of ACES, of the Board of Directors, the Vicar of the Prelature of Opus Dei, and Provincial and Municipal authorities.

On the other hand, the rector outlined his objectives for the coming years, among which he emphasized strengthening not only the Academic Advising and University Life program for undergraduate students, but also the quality of teaching and research, through innovation in content, teaching methods, and methodologies. He also mentioned fostering interdisciplinary work and cross-disciplinary approaches, continuing the humanistic and pedagogical training program for faculty, and strengthening research areas such as Data Science, Sustainability, Artificial Intelligence, and the Social Sciences.

At the same time, in order to generate an impact on people, the social environment, and the natural world, he considered promoting a sustainability plan to be more socially responsible and responsible towards our planet. And, closely linked to this idea, he urged those present to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset at all levels of the organization, with an open attitude to thinking and doing things differently, and to taking risks.

I relived the entire ceremony, here