We have come a long way to get to where we are today. After our formation as a Center in 2009, we started to build on what was proposed: At first, emphasis was on the creation of new experimental capabilities, so we went from having 4 laboratories to a current total of 19, enabling new research capacities and the possibility of advancing technological development. This achievement has influenced the formation of undergraduate and graduate students through early contact with research activities. At the same time, technology transfer has been oriented towards local businesses with global impact, such as the forestry sector, through the establishment of mutual trust for the solution of problems demanding technology with unique needs. Thus, we have been consolidating our role as a center of excellence that makes a real contribution to various issues of social and economic impact.

Therefore, the formation of our Center responds to the critical necesities of a country that wants to move forward and be part of globalization, with a society based on knowledge. CEFOP-UdeC has become an important factor for the competitiveness of the country through scientific knowledge, development, and technology transfer of elements that strengthen domestic industry. For that reason, during this period, we obtained the accreditation from CORFO, which empowers us to enter contracts with contributors under the tax benefits of law 20.241.

However, we still have a long way to go and goals to meet. That is why in this new stage, our efforts will be focused on the development of new products that are highly relevant for the national industry of global scope, based on the results of our research lines and which also offer a high social impact.

As a Center, we have determined that we must keep aiming our developments toward the main economic areas in our country, such as forestry, mining, communications, and government agencies. In terms of research, we have been highlighted in the Nature Index where, during the 2013-2014 period, team effort and new experimental capabilities have allowed us to systematically increase the impact of our publications. In the first report of the Nature Index, the WFC index of our Center provided 21.3% of this indicator at the Universidad de Concepción. We plan to continue in this direction of scientific excellence.

We invite you to know CEFOP-UdeC, our work and the professionals who make up the Center, located in southern Chile at the University of Concepción.