Historical Outline

The north kept secrets and wealth, and demanded the intervention of professionals and scholars with a higher education. Furthermore, the overwhelming desire for scientific knowledge motivated people from the region to promote the creation of an educational center in the area.

In 1918, acontinuous renovation of technologies in the industry and the necessity of qualified workforce ledto the creation of La Escuela Industrial del Salitre (The Industrial School of Saltpeter).

The creation of the Industrial School of Saltpeterwas the first step to a higher technical professional education in the Antofagasta Region.After some time, this formation center became La Escuela del Salitre y Minas (The School of Saltpeter and Mines), and subsequently, LaEscuela de Minas de Antofagasta (The Mine School of Antofagasta).

Later, in 1952, due to the effort of many northern pioneers and the support of the Ministry of Education, La Escuela de Minas is incorporated into the Universidad Técnica del Estado (State Technical University).

A few years later, in 1957, the Centro UniversitarioZona Norte is created(under Universidad de Chile’s auspices)and opened courses such as Education on Biology and Chemistry, and Social Services. Later, in 1962, it becameEl ColegioUniversitario Regional de Antofagasta (The Regional College of Antofagasta).

In 1968, as a consequence of the University Reform, LaSede Regional de la Universidad de Chile is created, becoming the second educative establishment in the area.

On March, 10th, 1981, the government decided to joinboth establishments in the city, giving birth to the Universidad Antofagasta, a professional forging center recognized in the whole country.

Since its creation, each and every person who has been part of our staff has been an active and useful part of our consolidationproviding their points of views, their efforts, and their willingness. In order to build the present and future of the region, we have reached a full commitment to the region’s development, and intensely worked on a continuous search for the answers society demands.