U.Diego Portales

completed

Universidad Diego Portales (UDP) has requested IFC to partially guarantee a long-term local Chilean bond and the proceeds will be used over the period 2003/2004 for the expansion of the University, allowing it to grow from 9,300 students currently to approximately 14,000 students by 2010. The expansion project is needed to accommodate new students in the University’s recently opened programs in medicine, engineering, and humanities. The University operates two campuses, in Santiago and Temuco, however the expansion is only on the Santiago Campus. UDP has 950 professors, and offers 31 undergraduate degrees and 25 graduate programs (Master’s Degree, Post-Graduate Degree, Executive Programs and Diplomas). In addition, it conducts research in multiple areas funded, in part, by top international granting agencies (e.g. Ford Foundation, Fulbright Commission, UNESCO, etc.). With the expansion, the University will be able to raise student enrolment by 50% (by 2010), thus increasing access to higher education, particularly in science and engineering, for which Chile currently faces an excess demand.