With an opening ceremony held at the Lo Contador Campus of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, the CERN School of Computing – Latin America 2026, organized by CERN in conjunction with the Millennium Institute SAPHIR and the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, got underway. This edition is a historic milestone, as it is the first time that this prestigious training program has been held in South America, positioning Chile as a regional hub for advanced training in scientific computing.
The school will run from January 11 to 24, 2026, bringing together dozens of students from multiple countries who will participate in a two-week intensive academic program focused on computing for physics, software engineering, data science, and data technologies, key areas for contemporary scientific research.
The academic activities will take place entirely on the Lo Contador Campus, combining theoretical classes, practical exercises, and applied sessions.
The opening ceremony was attended by various authorities and representatives from the Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge, and Innovation, the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, the Millennium Institute SAPHIR, and CERN, who highlighted the importance of this event for strengthening international scientific cooperation, training advanced human capital, and linking Chile with one of the world's leading research centers.
The academic program has a progressive and comprehensive structure, including modules on introduction to physics, software design, databases, data analysis, machine learning, Monte Carlo simulations, and data technologies, taught by experts from CERN and international academic institutions.
The sessions combine lectures with hands-on exercises, guided study time, and assessments, allowing participants to acquire specific tools applicable to high-level research environments.
In addition to the academic component, the school incorporates cultural and social integration activities, such as tours of the city of Santiago, excursions, sports activities, and informal gatherings, promoting exchange between students of different nationalities and the creation of international scientific collaboration networks.
The program culminates with a closing and graduation ceremony, where the work done by participants during the two weeks of intensive training is recognized, reinforcing the educational and excellence-oriented character that distinguishes the CERN School of Computing globally.
The holding of the CERN School of Computing – Latin America 2026 in Chile reflects the collaborative work between national and international institutions and reinforces the role of the Millennium Institute SAPHIR as a key player in linking the country with CERN, actively contributing to the training of new generations of scientists in areas strategic for the development of science and technology in the region.
