Dr. Claudia Vargas Díaz, a researcher at our university's Faculty of Science, has been nominated as the only specialist in South America to develop an important project for the US National Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine.
The survey will examine current teaching practices in three key areas: data science, computational thinking, and AI. These are the foundational pillars for educating future generations with expertise in artificial intelligence.
"It is estimated that by 2050, most STEM professionals or jobs will be in these three areas, so we need to educate primary and secondary school children in data science, computational thinking, and artificial intelligence,” said Ana Ferreras, Senior Program Officer at the US National Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine.
This is a highly significant appointment for Dr. Vargas, as the organization is one of the most prestigious in the world. It has a decades-long track record of accurately predicting Nobel Prize winners and other international award recipients in the field.
"Unless the Academy has identified these specialists or commissioned a project from them, it's difficult for the international community to give them the recognition they deserve," Ferreras stated. "Having this academic at our institution will bring enormous prestige to the University of Santiago de Chile."
In the words of Dr. Vargas, this nomination is a boost to her research career. "I am a female scientist committed to the development of women scientists. This is an opportunity that an international organization has given me to contribute to my area of research. It is a reason to continue the work I am doing in my doctoral training. Through this project, I hope to work with the team to agree on and define contributions for future generations," she said.
Dr. Vargas's role in this project is extensive. She will advise on the study, suggest potential experts for the research, identify key research questions, and help guide the agenda for an upcoming series of workshops and webinars with international specialists.
The Planning Committee is composed of US experts, a representative from Singapore, another from South Korea, Dr. Claudia Vargas from Chile, and work is underway to identify a specialist from Estonia.
Our academic is the only South American participant in the study, which is a true honor not only for Chile, but also for the entire continent and the University of Santiago.