Founded in 1993, the University of Los Lagos is the only public university in the spectacular Lakes region of Southern Chile. It was built on existing institutions which had grown out of the University of Chile and the Technical University.
There had been higher education in Osorno from 1964, through the Professional Institute which spun off from the break-up of the Technical University in 1981, with other provision in Puerto Montt. Osorno remains the centre of the institution, with the main campus on a 22 hectare site in the town. There are other outposts at Cayhaique, in Chiloe Island and the national capital Santiago.
A mission to train "professionals and technicians with solid knowledge, pluralistic and committed to their environment", also emphasises its role as a regional institution. More than 80 per cent of students come from the Lagos region.
The University of Los Lagos is part of the 16-strong Chilean Sustainable Campus Network committed to both relevant research and to making their own operations sustainable.
Course provision reflects the local economy, with Aquaculture among the 14 academic departments and fish farming outposts in Quinchao and Rio Sur and a 300 hectare forest in Barrio del Rio Bueno.
Among the longer standing research centres is iMar, set up in 2002, which focusses on the environment and resource issues of coastal regions.
Recent developments include a chair in cooperation and a diploma in business management aimed at the managers of cooperatives, created in partnership with nine such enterprises in the region.
Planned developments include the creation of a $10m campus in Chiloe Island.
