USS and India Sign Agreement to Promote Alliances in Innovation and Artificial Intelligence

In the context of the Academic Forum “India–Chile: Artificial Intelligence as a Tool for the Future,” Universidad San Sebastián signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with EdCIL Limited, a state-owned company under the Ministry of Education of India, to strengthen collaboration in education, research, and technological innovation.

Universidad San Sebastián (USS) hosted the Academic Forum India–Chile: “Artificial Intelligence as a Tool for the Future,” an event that brought together experts, academics, and students to reflect on the challenges and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence (AI) in the educational and productive sectors.

The meeting took place on October 7 at the Valdivia campus and included representatives from the Ministry of Education of India, led by Dr. B. Chandra Shekar and Dr. Pawan Kumar Sharma, Chief General Manager of Digital Transformation and Information Technologies at EdCIL Limited, a public company under India’s Ministry of Education.

During the event, USS and EdCIL Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will enable the development of joint initiatives in professional training, student mobility, and applied research in areas related to innovation and digital transformation. The agreement strengthens academic ties between Chile and India, reinforcing USS’s institutional internationalization strategy.

The event was led by Dr. Manuel Ubilla, Director of the EdCIL/Grupo-TQS Chile Educational Program. It included participation from authorities and academics from USS’s Faculty of Engineering, who held meetings aimed at strengthening academic and scientific cooperation and exploring new opportunities for international collaboration.

Additionally, joint work lines were outlined with companies from the tech sector and EdCIL, focused on promoting student and academic mobility in areas such as mathematics, physics, artificial intelligence, and information technologies. New opportunities for internships in universities and companies in India were also discussed.

“We are signing a collaboration agreement with the Ministry of Education of India, technology companies, and Grupo-TQS so that our Engineering students from the Valdivia campus can undertake internships with Indian companies. It was exciting to see the number of students who have startups and are interested in connecting with tech companies and innovations in the field of artificial intelligence,” highlighted Dr. Ana Luz Durán, Executive Director of International Affairs at USS.

An Agreement within the Framework of Chile–India Cooperation

Dr. Pawan Kumar Sharma’s visit to Chile is part of the commitments made during the State visit to India in March 2025, where President Gabriel Boric met with Dr. Sharma, one of the top officials of India’s Ministry of Education. On that occasion, both countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in innovation, science, and technology.

The ceremony was attended by the Vice-Rector of the USS Valdivia campus, Dr. Juan Andrés Varas; the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Dr. Rodrigo Navia; the Executive Director of International Affairs at USS, Dr. Ana Luz Durán; and the Manager of the Regional Corporation for Productive Development of Los Ríos, Mr. Fernando Paredes, along with local authorities and representatives from the Indian Embassy in Chile.

“This meeting is a concrete example of how internationalization is experienced from the regions. The presence of distinguished representatives from the Government of India allows us to strengthen academic connections and explore new possibilities for our students to access international experiences, whether through exchanges, internships, or joint projects,” said Dr. Juan Andrés Varas, Vice-Rector of USS Valdivia.

Likewise, Fernando Paredes emphasized that “artificial intelligence is transforming the way we learn, work, and produce. From Los Ríos, we want to be an active part of this conversation, linking our academic and productive capacities with countries like India, which are currently leading technological innovation worldwide.”

The MoU represents a significant step in the internationalization of USS, consolidating its presence in global networks and strengthening cooperation between Chile and India in areas of high technological projection.