Chile/36th Anniversary of Bernardo O’Higgins University: Celebrating the Francophonie
The Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF), represented by its Rector, Prof. Slim Khalbous, and the AUF Regional Director for the Americas, Antoine Rauzy, participated in the 36th anniversary celebration of Bernardo O’Higgins University (UBO). The event was held from August 19 to 21, 2026, in Santiago, Chile.
Over the course of three days, the celebrations brought together more than 200 Chilean and international dignitaries for a rich and diverse program of academic, institutional, and cultural activities, reflecting the institution’s influence and the importance it places on its international partnerships.
The Francophonie played a prominent role in the event’s program. On this occasion, the Rector of UBO, Mr. Claudio Ruff Escobar, presented an impressive overview of the university’s Francophone positioning and highlighted the excellent collaboration with the AUF, which fully contributes to the implementation of this strategic direction.
This strong presence of La Francophonie comes amid changes in Chile’s role within the Francophone community and in academic cooperation networks across the Americas.
On October 5, 2024, Chile became an observer member of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) following the19th Francophonie Summit. A few weeks later, UBO hosted the General Assembly of the Regional Conference of Rectors (C2R) Americas, which brought together the highest-ranking officials from higher education institutions in 12 countries to discuss issues of trans-American cooperation, university governance, and multilingualism. Following this meeting, the Rector of UBO was elected president of the C2R Americas. He currently chairs this body, which serves as a forum for discussion on issues in higher education and the development of partnerships among AUF member institutions in the Americas.
In strong support of this momentum, the AUF is developing several initiatives in Santiago aimed at the country’s Francophone academic and scientific community. Among these, the Francophone Employability Center – Francophone Digital Campus (CEF-CNF) in Santiago supports students in developing their skills, enhancing their employability, and opening doors to Francophone professional opportunities. During this visit, the Rector and the AUF’s Regional Director for the Americas toured these facilities and observed the vitality and diversity of the activities taking place there.
The Francophone presence is also growing within student communities. The UBO’s Club Frañol is a member of the International Association of Francophone Student Leadership Clubs (CLÉF), supported by the AUF. It serves as a space for French-language activities and exchanges for young Chilean Francophones and Francophiles, focusing on topics such as intercultural understanding, journalism, the environment, and entrepreneurship.
A member of the AUF since 2018, the UBO has developed a significant internationalization strategy focused on the academic Francophonie, particularly in France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Morocco. The university currently has 130 international agreements. It is also a member of the Francophone Network of Women in Leadership Roles in Higher Education and Research (RESUFF), one of the AUF’s 39 thematic networks.
Through its commitment to the Francophonie and its involvement in regional university networks, UBO is now a major partner and an important point of support for the AUF in Chile and throughout the Latin American subregion. The AUF thanks UBO for its invitation and for the warm welcome extended to its delegation. It is particularly honored by the distinction bestowed upon its Rector. The Agency reaffirms, on this occasion, its commitment to continuing and strengthening its cooperation with UBO to promote academic, scientific, and student exchanges between Chile, the Americas, and the Francophone world.
Source: AUF
