In 2024, Universidad ORT Uruguay to one of its most beloved and distinguished members, Julio Fernández, Ph.D. With extensive and diverse experience in both academia and industry, Fernández stepped down from his position as vice president after a decade of dedicated and effective service.
Despite his busy schedule, his door was always open to those who needed advice, inspiration, or simply a kind word.
Fernández began his career at ORT as a teacher in 1989 and rose quickly through the ranks, becoming full-time academic secretary in 1994.
From day one, his passion for teaching and his dedication to his students were clear.
Academic and professional contributions
His career path led him to serve as dean of academic development before taking on the role of vice president. With unparalleled humility and charisma, Mr. Fernández always sought to raise the institution’s educational standards.
With an impressive academic background, including degrees in Chemical Engineering and Computer Science from the University of the Republic, and a Master of Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Fernández has brought a comprehensive perspective to higher education.
Since 2011, he has been teaching the course "Transport Phenomena" in the Biotechnology Engineering program, where he covers the transport of motion, heat, and matter in fluids, with applications in biology and industrial processes.
Fernández will continue to teach even after stepping down as vice president, because his love for teaching is an essential part of who he is.
A legacy of innovation and service
Before joining ORT, his professional career included key positions such as consulting manager at Tea Deloitte & Touche and head of Planning and Control at Ancap.
In addition, he has held prominent positions at the national and international levels, including as president of the National Academy of Engineering of Uruguay, an organization dedicated to promoting research, education, and professional engineering practice, as well as advising public and private institutions on issues related to engineering and technology.
He was also a member of the National Council for Innovation, Science, and Technology, an agency whose mission is to promote and coordinate policies and activities related to innovation, science, and technology in the country.
Mr. Fernández has also served on various evaluation and accreditation committees, consistently demonstrating excellence and dedication in each of his roles.
Support for entrepreneurs
Mr. Fernández played a key role in the creation of Ingenio, Uruguay's first business incubator.
In late 1998, while reviewing final projects at ORT, he realized that many valuable projects were not being turned into actual products.
He identified two main factors: the high demand for qualified professionals and the difficulties young people faced in starting businesses.
Inspired by an incubator he had encountered in Brussels, he called Dr. Pablo Valenti—who was working at the university at the time—in 1999, and together they began working on a proposal to create an incubator.
In collaboration with the Technological Laboratory of Uruguay (LATU), and drawing on ORT’s previous experience with this institution, they were able to submit the project to the Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF) of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
In August 2001, Ingenio launched its first call for proposals, successfully supporting seven companies in its first six months of operation. Despite the crisis of 2002, Ingenio continued thanks to support from the World Bank and, later, from LATU and the National Agency for Research and Innovation (ANII).
Ingenio’s first steering committee consisted of Manuel Bello, an engineer; Gustavo Tartaglia, a certified public accountant; and Julio Fernández, an engineer, who met almost every week to ensure the incubator’s smooth operation. By 2007, Ingenio had already established itself as a successful incubator.
Speaking at the ceremony marking Ingenio’s 20th anniversary, Fernández said: “I want to express my deepest gratitude to all the incubated companies and the people who were part of them, who took a life-changing leap of faith to start their own businesses and help grow Uruguay’s technology sector. It is their hard work and ingenuity that have made Ingenio what it is today.”
Commitment to education
His legacy at ORT extends beyond his administrative management and academic leadership to include his contributions to strengthening ties between the university and industry, as well as his efforts to promote innovation and research.
He always saw the potential in every student and worked hard to provide them with the best opportunities.
Although Fernández will be stepping down from his current position, he will remain connected to the university as a professor and advisor, continuing his commitment to enriching the educational experience of future generations. His presence will be a beacon of inspiration, and his dedication, an example to follow.
Fernández has always reminded his students that “knowledge gives them nothing less than the power to improve the lives of others. With that power comes a responsibility—the responsibility to apply their knowledge and skills as members of humanity.”
During his time at Universidad ORT Uruguay, Julio Fernández worked closely with Charlotte de Grünberg (1932–2024), who served as the institution’s president.
De Grünberg, remembered for her vision and dedication to education, left an indelible legacy at ORT, standing out for her commitment to personal growth and academic development.
Mr. Fernández and Prof. De Grünberg shared a deep passion for teaching and a common vision for raising the university’s educational standards.
Together, they spearheaded initiatives that have left a lasting mark on the institution, reflecting their shared commitment to the well-being and progress of the students.
Following the retirement of Mr. Fernández, three new vice-presidencies were created:
- Office of the Vice President for Institutional Management and Development, headed byEduardo Hipogrosso.
- Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, headed byDr. Pablo Landoni,
- Office of the Vice President for Administration, led byDaniel Oliveri.
Leading by example
Julio Fernández has left an indelible mark on Universidad ORT Uruguay not only Universidad ORT Uruguay his words, but also through his actions.
His leadership has always reflected his deepest convictions, guided by a strong sense of responsibility, integrity, and commitment to excellence.
For years, a set of Chinese characters has been displayed on the whiteboard in his office: 言传身教.
This phrase, deeply rooted in Confucian philosophy, can be translated as “teaching through words and deeds,” “leading by example,” or, as Mr. Fernández himself put it: “words convey, actions teach.”
This expression, which is quite well-known in Chinese culture, reflects Mr. Fernández’s philosophy of life and leadership, emphasizing the importance of consistency between what one says and what one does.
The vice-chancellor was also deeply committed to fostering cultural and academic ties between Universidad ORT Uruguay Asia.
His fascination with China was not only philosophical but also practical, as he recognized the importance of Uruguay’s economic cooperation with that country. The vice-rector helped establish academic partnerships with leading Chinese universities, including agreements with Beijing Foreign Studies University, Harbin Normal University, and the Communication University of China, among others.
In addition, Fernández played a crucial role in strengthening the university's ties with Korea.
He was involved in the founding of the King Sejong Institute in Montevideo, which operates at Universidad ORT Uruguay is the only Korean language institute in the country supported by the South Korean government through the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Korea and the King Sejong Institute Foundation.
In fact, in 2019, he visited the King Sejong Institute Foundation in Korea on behalf of the King Sejong Institute Montevideo, where he was recognized for the institution’s activities and operations in Uruguay. 
An exemplary career
Fernández has left a legacy that the university will continue to honor.
His passing marks the end of an era, but his example and teachings will live on, guiding us on the path ahead. His words will echo through our halls, and his actions will continue to inspire us every day.
Remember that your value as professionals may come from what you can create or the problems you can solve, but your value as people depends on how much you do for others
In his speeches, Fernández used to tell students: “Believe in yourselves and devote yourselves to what you consider worthwhile, even if it doesn’t make you popular on social media.”
He also urged them to “bounce back from mistakes and failures, because there is no learning without mistakes, and there is no progress without some failures along the way”