With support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Dr. Claudia Vargas Díaz and a research team from our University's Department of Mathematics and Computer Science participated in an initiative for international cooperation in teacher training, specifically for the field of Mathematics Education.
Last August, during the World Summit of Teachers held at UNESCO headquarters in Santiago, Dr. Heike Kuhn, head of the German government division, met with the teaching group. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss and share experiences regarding the effects and findings of the research.
"The book, a result of the academic collaboration between the five universities in the project, allowed us to achieve several milestones. At Usach, we prioritized the topic of emotions in the discipline, leading to significant findings related to gender gaps and cultural biases surrounding this issue. Similarly, we were also able to acquire new items for the Mathematics Teaching Laboratory Museum, a project that had been in the works since 2016."
The research team included Dr. Rayén Antillanca, Dr. Claudia Matus, Dr. Nicolas Thériault, and collaborator Dr. David Grimm. The meeting addressed important issues, including the shortage of teachers in the country, gender gaps, and ongoing efforts to reduce inequalities within the Chilean school system.
"It was very enriching for our group to learn about the work of Professor Rudolf Von Hofe. I first met him at the International Conference on Mathematical Education in Hamburg in 2016. He has very interesting ideas for mathematics education and has contributed greatly in Germany and around the world," Dr. Vargas said. "Together with his team, made up of Joaquim Lotz and Valentin Katter, we had an interesting learning process and a valuable exchange of ideas and knowledge on the subject. My students in Mathematics and Computer Science Education also benefited, having the opportunity to meet our colleagues during their visits to Chile and broaden their horizons on mathematics education."
International Praise
During her visit to Santiago, Dr. Kuhn stated that the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)'s main objective is to contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement.
The expert further stated that the entity views itself as a ministry of transformation, aiming to combat hunger, decrease poverty and inequality, and champion sustainable economic systems. She emphasized that a core task of the institution is to promote international university cooperation as a means of unlocking the potential of highly qualified talent in the Global South.
"This project, linking Bielefeld University with Usach and other Chilean institutions, serves as a prime example of our mission," she stated. "Inter-university cooperation not only created valuable exchanges but also steadily improved educational opportunities for students. Specifically, the reinforcement of teacher training had a positive impact on the quality of education for young people. Likewise, graduates were better prepared, placing them in an optimal position to enter the labor market and actively contribute to the social and sustainable transformation of the country."
At the same time, the renowned specialist said that the meeting with the Usach researchers was very fruitful, as it allowed them to learn firsthand about their experiences of cooperation with German universities.
“It was interesting to note the continuation of the work even after the project's conclusion. We appreciate the strong commitment of our Usach colleagues to international cooperation," she noted. "The meeting offered a unique opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of the Chilean education system, particularly in mathematics teaching. We were impressed by the excellent support provided to young teachers during their initial training, including innovative initiatives such as the University's Mathematics Museum.”