  University of Antioquia: an institution focused on research During the past two decades the University of Antioquia focused on strengthening research-based activities. In 1990 it was established the University Research System – SIU- . Subsequently, the University focused on designing policies and strategies based on the National System of Science and Technology, Colciencias. Research became an essential function of the University of Antioquia in 1994 so it was included as a strategic objective in the 1996-2006 Institutional Development Plan. According to 2006-2016 Development Plan, the University of Antioquia will be recognized as one of the top research universities in Latin America. About research According to the members of the Human Resources Committee who are involved in research and teaching activities, developing research in the University of Antioquia involves those working in research activities as follows: 1. Research personnel: full-time, part-time and associate professors. 2. Undergraduate and graduate students. 3. Administrative staff: it refers to personnel assigned to research centers, faculty councils, area committees, the Committee for the Development of Research –CODI-, the Office of the Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research, as well as administrative support staff. 4. Technical and scientific support staff, such as laboratory assistants and specialized technicians who are associated to research processes.
Human resources and organizational structure
The current university structure becomes an obstacle that prevents access to proper human resources, as stated by researchers who addressed this issue at SIU’s self-assessment. "(...) It is clear that the current structure of the University of Antioquia - which is primarily a higher education institution –, as well as other substructures intended for research, become a significant weakness regarding qualified human resources. Such a situation is the result of ongoing discord of professors and researchers regarding employment contracts. While full-time professors have proper conditions for research work, both part-time and associate professors have little access to funds and research projects due to limitations of their employment contracts”. This not only shows complications in terms of work but also expresses a need for having more professors with PhD degree in order to meet the highest standards in training. Human resources at the University of Antioquia | Human resources | 1990 | 2000 | 2010 | 2016 | | Professors with PhD (full-time faculty) | 4,2% | 10,9% | 33,8% | 45% | | Masters, medical specialities and PhD students (total students) | 1,8% | 2,4% | 4,5% | n.d. | n.d. Not defined on the 2006-2016 Institutional Development Plan Proposals from the Human Resources Committee include:
- Creating a suitable strategic plan for the training of research personnel in accordance with the Development Plan of the University.
- Hiring dedicated research staff.
- Redefining human resources functions in accordance with research purposes of the university.
- Professors should focus on meeting their specific functions since participating in several activities at once affects quality and development of research.
- Research should be considered as an opportunity to articulate the university functions regarding research, outreach and teaching.
Human Resources Committee has addressed the above-mentioned proposals in order to design a strategic plan that allows the University of Antioquia becoming a research institution having highly qualified personnel to meet the goals of the Institutional Development Plan. However some issues regarding the role of human resources on university’s research activities remain to be discussed. | 
