José Fuentes, director of the Master's Degree in Data Science for Innovation at the University of Concepción: "We need an ecosystem where data drives innovation."

The University of Concepción has opened applications for the 2026 Master's Degree in Data Science for Innovation (MACI), a pioneering program in Chile that combines training in data science, innovation, and entrepreneurship to transform the reality of public and private organizations. The challenge of leading this initiative falls to José Fuentes Sepúlveda, a researcher at Millennium Institute Foundational Research on Data IMFD) and an academic at the UdeC Faculty of Engineering.

Fuentes, a civil engineer and Doctor of Computer Science from the same university, took over as director of MACI in 2023, with the aim of consolidating and advancing the work begun by his predecessor, Guillermo Cabrera-Vives. "The main challenge when I took over was to stay on the course set by the founding team. Today, more than ever, the challenge is to create a data-driven innovation environment that generates a snowball effect in institutions and companies," he says.

Data science and innovation: two inseparable pillars

The MACI, which began in 2021, is distinguished by its equal integration of data science and innovation management subjects, plus a cross-cutting component of leadership and entrepreneurship. This approach seeks to ensure that students not only acquire technical skills, but also the ability to identify improvements and transform them into high-impact projects.

"MACI has two coexisting souls: data science and innovation. It's not just about analyzing data and obtaining relevant information, but using it to propose concrete solutions to real problems in local, regional, and national companies," emphasizes Dr. Fuentes.

The program is taught in a blended learning format, with online classes on Fridays and Saturdays and regular face-to-face sessions on the campus of the University of Concepción. Over the course of six terms, students cover areas such as data analytics, technology architecture, business intelligence, prototyping, and cybersecurity, as well as participating in applied projects and an international internship.

Academia, business, and society

MACI is part of a broader ecosystem promoted by the UdeC through the Center for Data and Artificial Intelligence (CDIA), which connects researchers with companies and public organizations to identify requirements and develop high-impact projects.

"At the university, we are creating a virtuous circle: on the one hand, training programs such as MACI, the new Master's Degree in Artificial Intelligence, and the Doctorate in AI; on the other, CDIA as a coordinator of applied projects. The goal is to improve the technological level of the region and the country, positioning Concepción as a hub for data science and innovation," explains the program director.

Open call 2026

The Master's Degree in Data Science for Innovation is aimed at professionals and entrepreneurs from various disciplines who seek to lead digital transformation processes in their institutions. The application requires a university degree, resume, statement of purpose, and two letters of recommendation, in addition to an admission exam.

Classes will begin in March 2026 and will last for a total of two years (72 SCT credits). Applications are now open on the official website Master student.

"The future lies with those who know how to transform data into real innovation. That is the heart of MACI,"concludes Fuentes.

For more information, interested parties can visit the program's official website atMaster student andMaster student.