The issue of 'unemployed intellectuals' has recently been intensifying in Chile. According to statistics from March to May 2025, the unemployment rate for professionals reached a record high of 8.1%. This is more than just an economic problem; it raises a fundamental question about whether university education is truly meeting the demands of modern society.
Chile has been consistently managing the quality of its higher education since 1990. In particular, the Higher Education Quality Assurance System, which has been in place since 2018, has guided universities to comply with certain standards and regulations. However, renowned higher education expert, Professor Jacqueline Sepúlveda, criticizes that this 'accreditation'-centric approach is hindering the true role of universities.
Accreditation is Just the Beginning; True Excellence Comes from 'People'
Professor Sepúlveda emphasizes that the true value of a university lies in its "ability to transform students' lives and intellectually lead society." Beyond simply meeting predefined metrics, universities must cultivate 'global citizens' who can respond to global challenges like inequality and climate change. This is possible by integrating research and community engagement activities into the curriculum.
She asserts that the following five elements are essential for true excellence:
Transformative Education: Education that fosters students' capacity to lead change.
Agile and Transparent Governance: Efficient and participatory university management.
Ability to Attract and Retain Talent: Securing and continuously developing outstanding faculty and staff.
Sustainable Policies: University operations that consider environmental and social responsibility.
Effective Industry Linkages: Connecting university research and education with real-world societal needs.
These elements imply that universities should not be ivory towers detached from society, but rather 'proactive agents' that breathe with society and contribute to solving problems.
Competition Beyond Borders: It's Time to Go Global
For a long time, Chilean educational pioneers such as Andrés Bello and Enrique Molina Garmendia have emphasized that universities must be closely connected to society. Their philosophy remains valid today. Excellence is not found in bureaucratic indicators but in acting as a 'bridge' that changes the world and connects people. A university should be a space where science, industry, and society are not separated but communicate with one another.
Professor Sepúlveda urges Chilean universities to stop confining themselves to domestic competition and broaden their horizons to a global competitive environment. She points out that while they celebrate with accreditation certificates and international rankings, the world has already moved forward. The reality of 'unemployed intellectuals,' she argues, is a direct result of this complacency.
Excellence is 'Creation,' Not 'Proof'
In conclusion, university excellence is forged in the process of embracing complex realities, continuously innovating, and actively transforming the real world. This is a value that cannot be achieved with a simple 'accreditation' stamp. Chilean universities must now actively research international experiences and their surrounding environments, and build a vision focused on people and lives.
True excellence depends on "transforming the entire nation." And this great change will ultimately be realized through the values of fairness and sustainability centered on 'people.' Because without people, a university cannot exist.
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