UDP Internacional

Monday October 6th, 2025

During the first two weeks of September, Anoek van den Berg, Director General of International Relations (DGRRII), and a group of researchers from UDP (Diego Portales University) undertook an academic mission to Leiden University in the Netherlands. The delegation included Dominique Hervé, a professor in the Faculty of Law; and Aldo Madariaga, Tomás Ariztía, and Macarena Orchard from the Faculty of Social Sciences and History.

During their visit, the researchers participated in a workshop with academics from Leiden to develop new projects and strengthen ties between the two academic institutions. They explored the possibility of developing joint research agendas and discussed the challenges in their respective fields of study.

According to the Director, this meeting “provides an additional boost to the academic collaboration that has existed between our two institutions for more than 15 years.” She added, “Leiden University is a top 100 university, reflecting a strategic relationship that is among the strongest and most important for UDP’s international network.”

For his part, Professor Aldo Madariaga highlighted the meeting and indicated that the experience was positive both institutionally and personally. In this regard, he valued “the willingness of the other institution to work with UDP” and maintained that these activities are relevant because “they allow us to strengthen ties with international colleagues, which implies access to research networks and academic exchange at different levels.”

In turn, Professor Dominique Hervé noted that this “was a very good academic experience” and expressed that these activities promote synergy both within and outside UDP, enhancing interdisciplinary research. “The opportunity to learn about Leiden University and the potential for collaboration between our universities, specifically on environmental issues, was very valuable,” she emphasized.

For Professor Macarena Orchard, this mission was also an “enriching” experience. She stated that “these activities are key, as they allow us to envision more ambitious research agendas on a comparative level.” “I believe that it’s beneficial for academics to leave our countries and examine the research problems that interest us from other perspectives,” she stated.

Representatives from Leiden University also highlighted the meeting and emphasized the importance of fostering this type of dialogue. “Universities are, in essence, a meeting place,” said Professor Maria Gabriela Palacio Ludeña of that institution.

“It’s essential to sit down with someone, exchange ideas, and experience having a shared space for planning. For humanities projects, in-person collaboration is fundamental. Especially when collaborating with colleagues from the Global South, face-to-face interaction is crucial. Otherwise, it can appear as if extractive structures are being reproduced. A call is made, a name is noted, and it’s simply stated that a collaboration took place,” she said.

With this activity, the General Directorate of International Relations aims to strengthen ties with its collaborators abroad, promote collaboration with other academic institutions, and foster knowledge exchange among peers.