Last year, Martina Cádiz, a Computer Engineering graduate from the University of Concepción and active volunteer with Niñas Pro, moved to the UK after receiving a Luksic Scholarship to pursue her master’s at the University of Edinburgh. What began as an academic dream has since become a professional reality, and today, she contributes to artificial intelligence projects in public health as part of the Institute for Adaptive and Neural Computation.
“Coming from a very technical background, this Master’s program helped me understand the social challenges that lie ahead for the country,” Martina explained.
She is currently involved in a UK government–funded initiative aimed at developing AI systems for the early detection of urinary tract infections, a condition that affects millions of people and can lead to severe complications if not diagnosed in time. She said, “This project is not just about applying robotics or AI from a technical perspective; it is about focusing on care and improving people’s quality of life.”
Reflecting on how this experience could benefit Chile, Martina emphasized the relevance of initiatives like this in local contexts: “In the area of geriatric care, which will become increasingly important in the coming years, the results of this project could be applied to detect urinary infections in older adults, helping to improve their quality of life,” she explained.
“When students like Martina return to Chile, they bring back knowledge that fuels innovation and strengthens public policy. However, their contribution does not end there; those who remain abroad also enhance Chile’s global recognition, building networks, collaborations, and opportunities that benefit the country from afar,” said Trinidad García, Director of International Education at Fundación Luksic.
Advice for Future Luksic Scholars
“The best advice I can give is to take the leap and apply. Many Chileans tend to doubt their preparation, but in my experience, our academic background is very strong and equips us well to face the challenges of studying abroad,” Martina said. She added, “A common misconception is that there is such a thing as an ‘ideal candidate,’ but everyone has something unique to offer, whether through research, activism, or a critical perspective on existing systems.”
Some of Martina’s most cherished memories from her time in Edinburgh are the friendships she made and the support she found within the Chilean community. “Even people I had never met before went out of their way to help me settle in, and that made all the difference,” she shared. She also enjoyed connecting with friends from around the world: “I even picked up a bit of Hindi and learned a lot about India,” she recalled with a smile.
About the Luksic Scholarships at the University of Edinburgh
Each year, the Luksic Foundation offers three full scholarships for Master’s programs at the University of Edinburgh, available to candidates admitted to either the Master’s in Data and Artificial Intelligence Ethics or the Master’s in Circular Economy.
On November 5, Fundación Luksic will host an information session in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh. Registration is available here. Last year’s session can also be viewed on the organization’s YouTube channel.
Applications for the 2026–2027 academic year close on December 15. Details about the Luksic Scholarship at Edinburgh and other programs can be found at https://www.luksicscholars.org/en/programs/
