This is the third official meeting of the bilateral Council created in 2018 to identify and disseminate lessons learned, good practices and experiences in the United States and Chile to facilitate the exchange of information and skills.
A day of talks to deepen aspects of science diplomacy, pillar of the bilateral relationship between Chile and the United States and strengthen innovation, technology and scientific cooperation between both countries, including the development of these matters in the armed forces, was held by members of the Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (STIC) on Monday 19.
The event was chaired by the head of business of the US embassy in Santiago, Baxter Hunt, and attended by the Minister of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation, Andrés Couve, the vice minister of Defense, Cristián de la Maza, Dr. Patricia Gruber, Technical Director of the Office of Naval Research Global (ONR Global), and Rear Admiral Ramiro Navajas, Director of Programs, Research and Development of the Chilean Navy (DIPRIDA).
In the panel on “The Armed Forces as a Relevant Actor in the Development of Science and Technology”, members examined how the armed forces have influenced the national scientific ecosystem through various technological developments and its advanced human capital, also discussing about the challenges that are still pending. On this matter, Minister Couve said, “research and development along with a critical infrastructure, such as the astronomical park in the north of Chile or the scientific ship Cabo de Hornos, is key in this cross-sectional endeavor.”
For her part, Dr. Patricia Gruber, Technical Director of ONR Global, highlighted the impact and importance of US government financing in the construction of a national scientific and technological base. “From our perspective, relations and constant engagement with the local scientific and technological community is key to obtaining sustained results. We have been physically present in Chile for almost 20 years and we do not see an end in this relationship, but rather a great beginning, “she concluded.
The Council for Science, Technology and Innovation, STIC, is a public-private partnership whose mission is to support the creation of physical and human capabilities, building trust and deepening the bilateral relationship through science diplomacy. The strategic objective of the council is to connect the producers of science, technology and innovation with the end consumer, in order to advance in policies and programs of mutual benefit that allow to catalyze the long-term sustainable economic growth, enhancing the competitive advantages of both economies and fostering business, state, social and academic networks.
