It is a pioneering event organized by Universidad San Sebastián that convenes higher education institutions, public agencies, companies, and social organizations to engage in dialogue and co-creation. It is an academic and civic space designed to promote the exchange of experiences, the creation of networks, and the development of initiatives that foster more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient territories.
See you soon
April 23–25, 2026 | Puerto Montt, Chile
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Congress Description
The First International Congress on University–Community Engagement, organized by Universidad San Sebastián, will be a pioneering gathering that invites participants from higher education, the public service, the private sector, and civil society to engage in dialogue and co-construction.
This academic and civic space will open opportunities to share experiences, build strategic alliances, and project initiatives that foster more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient territories.
Dr. Bridget Gorokhovsky.
Marcela Delgado U.
Zoila Bustamante Cárdenas.
Rosario Navarro Betteley.
Director of the Hubert H. Humphrey Fulbright Program, Vanderbilt University.
CEO and Co-Founder of Sudvet Corp.
President of the National Confederation of Artisanal Fishers of Chile.
Presidenta de la Sociedad de Fomento Fabril - SOFOFA.
Scientific Committee of the VcM Congress
More than 50 distinguished academics and representatives from various organizations and national and international educational institutions will be responsible for evaluating the presentation proposals submitted to the International VcM Congress.
Thematic Areas
The International Congress on University–Community Engagement is organized around four main thematic areas, reflecting the diversity of the invited stakeholders and the central challenges of community engagement, the session reaffirms the university’s commitment/mission to fostering collaboration and territorial development.
Each area seeks to create a space for dialogue, exchange of ideas, and collaboration among academia, civil society organizations, public institutions, considering international, local and regional participants:
Strategies that integrate University–Community Engagement into teaching, research, and professional training, aligning knowledge generation with local and regional needs to ensure relevance and impact on educational quality.
Experiences and models that strengthen social organization, community involvement, and access to sustainable tools and technologies that promote inclusion and local well-being.
HIGHER EDUCATION AND KNOWLEDGE GENERATION
SOCIAL COHESION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Experiences and models of collaboration between universities and private sector actors that foster innovation, social responsibility, and measurable impact on local communities and ecosystems.
Initiatives aimed at improving local governance, citizen participation, and collaborative responses to emergencies and development challenges, contributing to more resilient and sustainable territories.
PUBLIC MANAGEMENT AND TERRITORIAL INNOVATION
PRODUCTIVE DEVELOPMENT AND SHARED VALUE
These thematic areas establish a framework for dialogue and collaboration among diverse participants—universities, the public sector, civil society organizations, and the private sector—to share experiences, identify opportunities, and strengthen cooperation toward the sustainable development of the country.
Congress Aims
1
To highlight experiences in teaching, research, productive and service sectors, local management, and sustainable development, enabling the exchange of lessons learned and exemplary practices.
The main aim of this Congress is to establish a shared framework that fosters critical discussion, exchange of ideas, and network building among diverse participants. It seeks to offer an academic and civic space that encourages collaboration, innovation, and the assessment of how University–Community Engagement contributes to any territory and social development.
2
To promote critical discussion and analysis of the different challenges, opportunities, and models of Community Engagement in local, national, and international contexts.
3
To strengthen collaboration networks among universities, communities, public institutions, private sector representatives, and social organizations.
4
To encourage the active participation of academics, students, and stakeholders from public, private, and social sectors, together with organizations and individuals committed to sustainability and community development.
See You in Puerto Montt
Universidad San Sebastián invites you to its Patagonia Campus, the southernmost campus of the university, located in the city of Puerto Montt, Lake District, Chile.
Location of the VcM Congress
Call for Papers and Posters
The First International Congress on University–Community Engagement – MásPatagonia welcomes academics, researchers, graduate and undergraduate students from national and international academic communities, and professionals from public, private, and civil society spheres to submit papers and posters that foster dialogue and critical analysis on the strategic role of Community Engagement in higher education and society.
The call is organized around three thematic tracks:
Engagement, Professional Training, and Internal Impact – highlighting the contribution of the community engagement to students’ academic, disciplinary, and transversal development/training, as well as to curricular innovation and the enhancement teaching quality.
Engagement, Knowledge Generation, and Applied Research – emphasizing community engagement as a space for generating relevant, interdisciplinary, and regionally meaningful knowledge.
Engagement, Impact on Communities, Industry, and Public Policy – addressing the role of the university as an agent of change that fosters sustainable development, social cohesion, and local governance.
This call fosters a high-level academic dialogue that values both practical experiences and research that contribute to envisioning a more inclusive, relevant, and socially engaged university. Following the event, a publication featuring selected papers will be released.
Schedule
Registration fees
$160
01
DEC 2025
- Regular registration (authors)
- Opening of abstract submissions
USD
$80
12
JAN 2026
- Early bird registration (authors)
USD
$70
15
JAN 2026
- Authors affiliated with USS or Puerto Montt Superior partners
- Abstract submission deadline
USD
30
JAN 2026
$50
- Student authors from other institutions
- Notification of acceptance
USD
$25
23
FEB 2026
- Early bird registration and payment deadline
- Student authors (USS or Puerto Montt Superior partners)
USD
$80
20
MAR 2026
- Submission deadline for full papers and posters
- Attendee Registration
USD
24
MAR 2026
- Final registration and payment deadline
03
APR 2026
- Non-Presenting Participant Registration Deadline
23-25
APR 2026
- International Congress on University–Community Engagement
Submission Guidelines
The First International Congress on University–Community Engagement invites academics, researchers, students, and professionals to submit papers—either as oral presentations or posters—that contribute to critical reflection, the exchange of experiences, and the dissemination of good practices in community engagement and regional development.
Below are the detailed instructions for submitting abstracts and the general guidelines for oral and poster presentations.
Join Our Collaboration and Networking Spaces
Actors from the public, private, and social sectors are invited to take part in the networking activities of the First International Congress on University–Community Engagement.
Connect with universities, researchers, and local stakeholders to share experiences, build alliances, and create new opportunities for collaboration focused on sustainable development and social innovation.
Registration period:
November 24, 2025 – April 3, 2026.
See you soon
April 23–25, 2026 | Puerto Montt, Chile
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Note on terminology
For international readers: throughout this document, the term University–Community Engagement (UCE) is used as the English equivalent of Vinculación con el Medio (VcM), a concept used in Latin America that refers to the bidirectional, collaborative relationship between universities and their broader social, public, and productive environments. The term Community Engagement is used interchangeably when referring to the wider ecosystem of participation and impact across all sectors.
FAQ
1. What is the International Congress on Community Engagement?
2. What are the thematic areas of the Congress?
The Congress is structured around four major thematic areas that guide the conversations, presentations, and collaborative activities:
Higher Education and Knowledge Production Strategies that integrate Community Engagement (VcM) into teaching, research, and professional training, promoting local relevance and impact on educational quality.
Social Cohesion and Community Development Experiences that strengthen social organization, community commitment, and access to sustainable tools promoting inclusion and territorial well-being.
Public Management and Territorial Innovation Initiatives oriented toward citizen participation, local management, and multisectoral collaboration to face sustainable territorial development challenges.
Productive Development and Shared Value University-Industry collaboration models that foster innovation, sustainability, and impact measurement in local communities and ecosystems.
3. What are the tracks for the call for papers and posters?
In the academic scope, the Congress and its Scientific Committee have defined three thematic tracks that structure the open call:
Community Engagement, Professional Training, and Internal Impact: Analyzes how VcM influences professional training, curricular innovation, teaching quality, and the development of student competencies.
Community Engagement, Knowledge Production, and Applied Research: Explores VcM as a space for pertinent, interdisciplinary, and applied knowledge production, articulating research, innovation, and territorial development.
Community Engagement, Contribution to Communities, Industry, and Public Policies: Examines the university's role as an agent of change in social, productive, and political spheres, as well as mechanisms for evaluating impact and public value.
4. When and where will the Congress take place?
The Congress will be held on April 23, 24, and 25, 2026, at the Patagonia Campus (Sede De la Patagonia) of Universidad San Sebastián, in Puerto Montt, Chile.
5. Who can participate?
Academics, researchers, undergraduate and graduate students, professionals, public institutions, companies, and social organizations linked to or interested in developing Community Engagement, social innovation, and territorial development may participate.
6. Will presentations be in-person?
Yes, the Congress is designed as an in-person event to foster meeting and interaction among all actors.
7. Are there exceptions for international participants regarding remote participation?
The Congress is designed to take place entirely in person, although some activities may be streamed for dissemination purposes. Selected speakers residing outside of Chile are invited to participate in the Congress in person. However, the Scientific Committee may evaluate exceptional situations that prevent an international speaker from traveling. In such cases, the interested party must formally request the option to present remotely so the Committee can analyze the exception and determine its feasibility.
8. What are the benefits of participating in networking activities?
Participating in these spaces allows you to visualize collaborative experiences and best practices, strengthen institutional networks, and generate partnership opportunities for potential projects regarding innovation, territorial development, and sustainability.
9. Will selected papers be published?
Yes. A post-Congress publication is projected to compile the most outstanding papers, contributing to the dissemination of Community Engagement experiences and results.
10. Is there a registration fee?
The Congress includes differentiated registration fees for authors, attendees, and students, with costs and deadlines detailed in the official calendar. Registration for attendees will be open from November 24, 2025, to April 3, 2026.
11. Are there scholarships or support for Universidad San Sebastián academics selected for papers/posters?
Yes. The Congress provides internal grants for Universidad San Sebastián academics whose papers or posters are accepted by the Scientific Committee. These grants seek to foster the participation and dissemination of Community Engagement experiences developed at USS, strengthening their academic contribution to the event.
12. What is the official language of the Congress?
The official language is Spanish, although abstracts and presentations in English are accepted within the established thematic tracks.
13. Will participation certificates be issued?
Yes. Digital certificates will be issued for:
-Authors of presented work.
-Registered attendees participating in the sessions.
14. What are the benefits of becoming a partner or sponsor?
Partner institutions or sponsors can access benefits such as:
Institutional and brand presence on digital and printed media.
Participation in discussion tables and networking spaces.
Access to an exhibition space (stand/booth) at the Congress fair. (Note: The setup and operation of the stand are the responsibility of the participating institution.)
15. How can I contact the organizing team?
For general inquiries or institutional participation, you can contact the organizing team at: [email protected] For specific inquiries regarding paper and poster abstracts, as well as congress presentations, please contact the academic committee at: [email protected]
