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About Us

Universidad de Magallanes

The Universidad de Magallanes (www.umag.cl) is located along the straight of Magallanes, across from Tierra de Fuego.  UMAG is a public university of Chile and has campuses in a variety of key locations.  The main campus in Punta Arenas has an enrolment of approximately 3,800 students, 90% of which are from the local Sub-Antarctic Magallanes region, demonstrating how important the University is to southern Chile’s educational vitality.  The University has two other campuses located in the towns of Puerto Natales and Puerto Williams, each of which has a unique focus and purpose.  UMAG offers a multitude of opportunities for students, faculty, and the general public to explore and learn about the Patagonian/Sub-Antarctic region, culture, and history.  In addition, the Instituto de la Patagonia and the American Corners Program, act as a link between national and international visitors.

UMAGThe programs of study are housed within four schools: Engineering, Natural Science, Humanities, Social Science, Health, and Economic and Legal Sciences.  The prestigious nursing program is well known throughout Chile and students in this department are generally hired before they even graduate.  Professor Andrés Mansilla helped establish the science program, financing and infrastructure.  This program is important because it studies the Sub-Antarctic Magallanes region, which is the first of its kind.  The school of Engineering recently began offering a Doctorate in Renewable Energy in conjunction with the Technical University of Madrid.  The department’s Ozone Laboratory continuously monitors ozone depletion and its impact on natural phenomena such as ocean and forest production. This information is imperative for public education as it enlightens the community and enables them to protect themselves from harmful U.V. rays.  The Economic and Legal Sciences department prepares students for meaningful and critical careers in public services.

One special feature of UMAG is its interdisciplinary and collaborative conservation project with the University of North Texas (www.unt.edu) and the Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity (www.ieb-chile.cl). This project fosters a dialogue between scientists, social scientists, philosophers and policy-makers on conservation in the Sub-Antarctic Magallanes region of southern Chile.  The integrative approach is intended to incorporate both ecological and societal-cultural values into the protection of the unique ecosystems of the region while simultaneously providing an avenue for formal and informal education.   One of the ongoing goals of the program is the continued support of the Omora Ethnobotanical Park (www.cabodehornos.org) of Navarino Island, the UNESCO Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve and the development and implementation of protective measures used in conservation.

Contributors: 

Charlotte Tidrick, Ph.D Candidate, Department of Philosophy, University of North Texas
Alexandria Poole, Masters Candidate, Department of Philosophy, University of North Texas
Monica Lindemann, Ph.D Candidate, Department of Philosophy, University of North Texas
Catalina Hungerford, Sophomore, Anthropology, Department of Philosophy, University of North Texas