Fundación Luksic Renews Its Scholarship Program with the London School of Economics (LSE)

The renewal of this partnership was marked by a visit to LSE by Isabella Luksic, Vice President of Fundación Luksic, who met with Professor Andrés Velasco and the six current scholars in a dynamic conversation about their work, aspirations, and the transformative impact that studying at LSE is having on their lives and careers.

Andrés Velasco expressed his enthusiasm about continuing this partnership: “Now in its sixth year, the Luksic Scholarship program will continue to provide opportunities for future public policy leaders to develop the knowledge and skills needed to drive Chile’s development. We look forward to deepening our collaboration with the Foundation and welcoming more scholars to the LSE School of Public Policy in the years ahead”— Professor Andrés Velasco, Dean of the School of Public Policy.

Connecting Chile with the world and the world with Chile

The purpose of Fundación Luksic is to promote Chile’s development by trusting in people’s abilities to generate well-being. In this context, the foundation supports Chileans’ access to international education programs so they can become agents of change for the country.

“Through these scholarships, we aim to support young leaders who can bring a global perspective to Chile’s public service. Exposure to international experiences, diverse classrooms, and different institutional models allows them to better understand how systems operate around the world. When they return to Chile, they are better equipped to contribute meaningfully and help strengthen the country’s institutions,” said Isabella Luksic, Vice President of Fundación Luksic.

A turning point in the careers of Luksic Scholars

For Luksic Scholars, the scholarship represents a turning point, as their studies at LSE provide them with a truly global outlook, exposing them to new perspectives and transforming the way they approach public policy challenges.

Alonso Quezada (MPA 2027) works in public affairs with a focus on data analysis and chose LSE because of the MPA’s emphasis on quantitative methods. “The Luksic Scholarship was a key turning point in my career. It changed my perspective on the future and opened new opportunities for me to live in London and study at LSE.”

He highlights two main takeaways from his experience so far: the diversity of the student body and the breadth of knowledge available. LSE “opens the door for you,” as long as you are willing to make the most of it. His advice to future applicants in Chile is clear: “Trust the process, because it’s worth it.”

Jessica Paulina Casanova Arias (MPP 2026) grew up in Patagonia and has seven years of experience at Chile’s Ministry of the Environment, where she worked designing and implementing environmental policies. The diversity of the classroom has shaped her learning experience. She mentions discussions about carbon pricing with classmates from Ivory Coast, India, and the United States as an example of how comparative perspectives help understand why policies succeed or struggle in different contexts and how they can be improved.

Jessica plans to return to Chile after graduating to continue working on environmental policy. “In Chile we have very good environmental policies on paper, but there is a real gap in their implementation. I want to work so that all Chileans can see the real impact of good public policy, not just read about it in a report.”

The lasting impact of scholarships on students and communities

The London School of Economics highlights that its partnership with Fundación Luksic reflects shared goals, and that scholarships in public service help drive the change that the world and society need. They not only transform the life of a student, but also shape the future of their families, their communities, and the entire country.

The six current Luksic Scholars at LSE are:

• Joaquín Antonio Vergara Sommerhoff (MPA 2026)
• Laura González Ugalde (MPA 2026)
• Alonso Quezada (MPA 2027)
• Rocío Maldonado Mandujano (MPA 2027)
• Camila Fernanda Cofré Castillo (MPP 2026)
• Jessica Paulina Casanova Arias (MPP 2026)

Applications to the London School of Economics are currently closed, but we invite you to follow us on social media to stay informed about the next application process.