UC Chile and Friends UC Strengthen Their Strategic Alliance to Expand Opportunities
During its traditional board meeting in New York, led by UC Chile President Ignacio Sánchez and Friends UC President Sava Thomas, the valuable fundraising efforts of this nonprofit organization were highlighted. Discussions focused on the next steps to increase the number of scholarship recipients and expand support for various university initiatives. As part of the activities, a meeting was also held at New York University (NYU) to analyze the impact of the new Donald Trump administration, particularly on Latin America.
photo_camera Friends UC is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization focused on building partnerships with entities and individuals in the United States, aiming to secure funding for UC Chile projects. (Photo credit: Alejandra Valenzuela, Friends UC Coordinator)
A UC Chile delegation led by President Ignacio Sánchez traveled to New York to participate in the traditional board meeting of Friends of Catholic University in Chile, Inc. (Friends UC).
Established in 1989, Friends UC seeks to strengthen UC Chile’s development and, consequently, that of Chile by funding academic and institutional projects.
Based in New York, the organization comprises 22 directors, both Chilean and American, representing diverse disciplines and geographic regions. United by their connection to UC Chile, they oversee scholarship programs and contribute to various projects at the university in areas such as research and public engagement. Friends UC is also actively involved in campaigns like Futuro UC (Giving Day) and the UC Chile Endowment Fund.
“The joint work we have done with Friends UC is significant, not only for the important resources they have raised and contributed to the university but also for their vital role in connecting with alumni and creating a committed community in the United States. This opens new opportunities for UC Chile and strengthens its future sustainability,” said President Sánchez from Manhattan.
Friends UC President Sava Thomas added: “Our goal is to continue working so that UC Chile alumni residing in the United States can help us fund university projects.”
Empowering Students: Scholarships and Philanthropic Initiatives
Friends UC supports two flagship initiatives: the Cristóbal Conde Scholarship and the Leading the Way Program & Scholarships.
- Cristóbal Conde Scholarship:
Launched in 2013, this program was made possible by Cristóbal Conde, a Friends UC board member. It supports academically outstanding students from vulnerable backgrounds who are not eligible for free tuition and require assistance to cover tuition gaps. Friends UC continually seeks additional funding to expand access to this opportunity for more deserving students.
- Leading the Way Program & Scholarships:
Established in 2015, this program provides intensive English training through English UC for students from vulnerable communities. Over a semester and a half, participants gain language skills with a focus on American cultural contexts. The program includes the Global Classroom, a collaborative initiative promoting intercultural exchange between UC Chile and Drexel University students. Participants also have the opportunity to attend Drexel University for four weeks, improving their English proficiency and participating in leadership case studies.
In addition to these scholarships, Friends UC supports several UC Chile projects, including:
The Trump Administration: Challenges and Opportunities for Latin America
As part of Friends UC’s events, two prominent foreign policy experts participated in the colloquium "US Elections and Their International Impact."
- Jorge Castañeda, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mexico (2000–2003)
- Christopher Tuttle, Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)
The event, hosted by the New York University (NYU), was moderated by James Upton, an expert in investment management for emerging markets.
President Sánchez thanked Friends UC and its board of directors for their ongoing collaboration:
“For us, this support from Friends UC has been significant for more than 35 years, and this meeting is an example of that partnership,” he said. He also recognized Julie Mostov, Dean of Liberal Studies at NYU, for her hospitality and welcomed alumni attending the event: “I’d like to extend a warm welcome to all our alumni here today, including those pursuing master’s and doctoral programs or working in the United States.”
The discussion analyzed the implications of the U.S. elections, where Donald Trump was re-elected, and Republicans regained Senate control. Key topics included immigration, climate policy, and U.S.–China relations:
- Immigration: Experts anticipate stricter border policies, potential mass deportations, and a revival of the "Remain in Mexico" policy. Challenges include the complexity of deportations, especially for individuals whose home countries may not accept them.
- Climate Policy: A rollback of environmental regulations from the Biden administration is expected, with a focus on reducing mandates seen as detrimental to businesses. Some job-creation subsidies may remain.
- U.S.–China Relations: The panel discussed potential tariff increases on Chinese imports and their implications for competitiveness and inflation. Trump’s approach to China remains uncertain, especially in trade and Indo-Pacific security matters.
Additional topics included Trump’s prospective cabinet, Middle East policy, the U.S. role in NATO and BRICS+ relations, and rising anti-Western sentiments in the Global South.
Progress and Challenges for Friends UC
The Friends UC board of directors, chaired by Sava Thomas, convenes twice annually. On November 7 and 8, the meeting in New York included President Ignacio Sánchez, Provost for Institutional Management Patricio Donoso, Vice President for Finance Loreto Massanés, Emeritus President Pedro Rosso, and other board members.
President Sánchez shared UC Chile’s progress during his tenure, which ends in March 2025. Highlights included:
- Growth in student enrollment, from 18,000 to 32,000.
- Development of 22 new academic programs.
- An increase in the proportion of students from public schools, from 32% to 48%.
The meeting also reviewed the impact of Friends UC initiatives, such as the Cristóbal Conde Scholarship and Leading the Way Program, which have significantly enriched students’ educational experiences, including opportunities to study abroad.
Fundraising remains a top priority, with a focus on the Futuro UC (Giving Day) campaign, taking place from November 14 to 16, which will primarily fund scholarships and support programs. The board emphasized UC Chile’s commitment to inclusion, diversity, and cultural initiatives.
Provost Donoso concluded:
“Friends UC plays a critical role in supporting our university’s projects. Over the past 15 years, their efforts have raised approximately $20 million for programs such as the Conde Scholarships, the Leading the Way Program, the UC Chile Endowment, J-PAL, Elige Educar, and Radio Beethoven. The main challenge is to continue generating initiatives that resonate with potential supporters in the United States.”
