Secretaria de Relações Internacionais | Office of International Relations

On 25 and 26 September 2025, the Universidad Católica del Norte (UCN), Chile, conducted an institutional visit to the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC) with the aim of strengthening institutional ties and developing research and graduate education partnerships between the two universities.

The Chilean delegation was composed of the Director of Technology Transfer, María Eugenia Olivares, and researchers Mohammad Malaki and Vasthi Lopez. During the two-day visit, the UCN representatives were hosted by several UFSC laboratories, focusing on identifying potential areas for scientific and technological collaboration. UCN’s priority areas include Water Security, Biotechnology, and Ocean Governance, which are also strategic themes at UFSC.

On the first day of the visit, 25 September, the group toured leading scientific research laboratories, including the Molecular Biology, Microbiology, and Serology Laboratory (LBMMS), headed by Professor Maria Luiza Bazzo, in the School of Health Sciences (CCS), and the Plant Morphogenesis and Biochemistry Laboratory (LMVB) and Plant Developmental Physiology and Genetics Laboratory (LFDGV), located at the School of Agricultural Sciences (CCA), where they were welcomed by Professors Valdir Stefanon and Marcelo Maraschin, respectively.

In the afternoon, the delegation visited the CCA’s Elpídio Beltrame Mariculture Station, located in Barra da Lagoa, where they toured the Marine Mollusks Laboratory (LMM), the Marine Fish Laboratory (LAPMAR), the Fish and Marine Ornamentals Laboratory (LAPOM), the Marine Shrimp Laboratory (LCM), and the Algae Farming Laboratory (LCA), coordinated by Mônica Tsuzuki and Carlos Carubelli.

On the second day, activities began with an official meeting at the UFSC Rectorate Building II, attended by the Secretary for International Relations, Prof. Luiz Carlos Pinheiro Machado Filho, and the Superintendent of Projects of the Prorectorate for Research and Innovation (Propesq), Prof. William Gerson Matias.

During the meeting, the UCN representatives presented the objectives of the visit, expressing interest in consolidating a partnership with UFSC in the areas of Biological Sciences, Aquaculture, Plant Physiology, Chemical Engineering, and other fields of mutual interest. In addition to joint research projects, the Chilean university also expressed interest in establishing co-supervision agreements aimed at training researchers at the graduate level.

One of the points highlighted by the delegation was the Programa de Financiamiento Estructural I+D+i Universitario (FIU) Frontera, a funding program of the Chilean Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge, and Innovation, which seeks to foster international collaborations between Chilean and foreign universities. Through this program, UCN intends to establish research and innovation partnerships with UFSC.

During the meeting, UFSC’s Secretary for International Relations sent the UFSC institutional cooperation agreement template to the Chilean university, emphasizing that UFSC is willing to enter into a comprehensive cooperation agreement, which allows the parties to make addendums for specific actions.

The response was immediate: UCN’s Director for International Relations, Dr. Paulina Latorre Bahamóndez, thanked UFSC for receiving the delegation and sending the document, suggesting adjustments to the clauses to adapt to the Chilean context. The agreement is already underway at UFSC, consolidating another step in strengthening relations between the two institutions.

At UFSC, the visitors also toured the Hydrology Laboratory (LabHidro), coordinated by Professor Pedro Chaffe (Sanitary and Environmental Engineering/CTC), the Biological Engineering Laboratory (LIEB), led by Professor Patrícia Poletto (Chemical Engineering and Food Engineering/CTC), the Multi-user Laboratory for Biological Studies (LAMEB), coordinated by Bibiana de Almeida, and the Multi-user Laboratory of the School of Biological Sciences (CCB), where they were welcomed by Professors Edroaldo da Rocha and Gislaine Fongaro.