The Luksic Foundation Renews Its Scholarship Program with the London School of Economics (LSE)
The program funds master’s degree studies in the Master in Public Policy (MPP) and the Master in Public Administration (MPA) at LSE, opening up opportunities for professionals in the early and mid-stages of their careers who seek to strengthen their ability to design and implement effective public policies.
The renewal of this partnership was marked by a visit to LSE by Isabella Luksic, vice president of the Luksic Foundation, who met with Professor Andrés Velasco and the six current scholarship recipients for a lively 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 for continuing this partnership: “Now in its sixth year, the Luksic Scholarship Program will continue to offer opportunities for future public policy leaders to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to drive Chile’s development: “We look forward to further deepening our collaboration with the Foundation and welcoming more fellows to the LSE School of Public Policy in the coming years,” said the dean of the School of Public Policy.
Connecting Chile to the world and the world to Chile
The Luksic Foundation’s mission is to promote Chile’s development by placing its trust in people’s ability to create well-being. In line with this mission, the foundation supports Chileans’ access to international training programs so they can become agents of change for the country.
“Through these scholarships, we seek to support young leaders who can bring a global perspective to public service in Chile. Exposure to international experiences, diverse classrooms, and different institutional models allows them to better understand how systems around the world function. Upon their return to Chile, they are better equipped to make meaningful contributions and strengthen the country’s institutions,” said Isabella Luksic, vice president of the Luksic Foundation.
A Turning Point in the Careers of the Luksic Scholars
For the Luksic Scholars, the scholarship marks a turning point, as their studies at LSE provide them with a truly global perspective, exposing them to new viewpoints 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 program’s emphasis on quantitative methods. “The Luksic Scholarship was a key turning point in my career. It changed my outlook on the future and opened up new opportunities for me to live in London and study at LSE.”
He highlights two key lessons 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’re willing to take advantage of it. His advice for future applicants in Chile is clear: “Trust the process—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, designing and implementing environmental policies. The diversity of the classroom has shaped her learning. She cites, for example, discussions on carbon pricing with classmates from the Ivory Coast, India, and the United States as an illustration of how comparative perspectives help explain why policies work or face challenges in different contexts—and how they can be improved.
Jessica plans to return to Chile after graduation to continue working on environmental policy. “In Chile, we have very good environmental policies on paper, but there’s 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 notes that its partnership with the Luksic Foundation reflects shared goals and that public service scholarships drive the change that the world and society need: they not only transform a student’s life, but also impact the future of their families, their communities, and the entire country.
The six current Luksic fellows 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 details about the next application cycle will be posted on the Foundation’s social media accounts.
