The Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV), within the framework of its "Missions" program, recently organized the seminar "Water Management in Chile: current situation and perspectives". This activity is the result of the interdisciplinary work of the PUCV Faculties of Engineering, of Marine Sciences and Geography, and of Agronomic and Food Sciences, which together with the General Directorate of International Affairs of the PUCV and the active collaboration of the Embassy of Israel in Chile, dealt, from different technical perspectives, with the water challenge and its efficient management.
The seminar was inaugurated by the rector of the PUCV, Professor Nelson Vásquez, with the participation of the general director of Public Works, Mr. Boris Olguín, and the ambassador of Israel, Mr. Gil Artzyeli. Specifically, the seminar was structured in eight disciplinary colloquiums with presentations by specialists from academia and business, both national and international.
"Water management at a global level is an issue that must be addressed from several areas and requires the incorporation of technologies, interdisciplinary work, artificial intelligence, investments and, of course, education, which involves the State, managers, companies and an active presence of universities, both in research and in training people, allowing the latter, the universities, to also collaborate in the generation of good and healthy public policies," said the rector of the PUCV.
Israel's ambassador to Chile, Gil Artzyeli, recalled that treating water brings multiple benefits. "One of them is that the amount of fresh water is greater. In Israel one third of the water comes from desalination, we have five huge plants and we are building a sixth. Today 70% of drinking water is desalinated," he said.
The General Director of International Affairs, Professor Orlando de la Vega, stated that the concept of "Mission PUCV" corresponds to the interdisciplinary and international work, designed and executed by the university in strategic alliance with a country with which complementary capacities are observed, which means the operationalization of the mission duties of the PUCV and the best achievement, also, of the social purpose of each concurrent institution. Finally, he indicates that a series of thematic seminars are planned within the specific framework of the Israel Mission, concluding its activities in 2023 with a delegation trip in November of this year.
