Catholic University of Chile

Catholic University of Chile or Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (PUC) - private higher education institution in Chile.

Catholic University of Chile - Description

The Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile was founded on June 21, 1888 by Monsignor Mariano Casanova, Archbishop of Santiago. His goal was to create an institution capable of blending academic excellence and training based on the Christian doctrine. The local and universal historical context that the Church faced when the University was founded inspired the institution to train professionals who led Christian lives and who could renew energies for the coming generations. The first Rector was Monsignor Joaquín Larraín Gandarillas and the first two faculties were Law, Physical Sciences and Math. In spite of the changes, the University has always aimed to achieve a solid education, founded in the sciences, arts, humanities and Catholic morals. Thus, the University aims for its students to be not only technically and scientifically prepared, but also to be open to different human realities and to the social and personal responsibilities involved in the complete development of a society. Throughout the history of the University, this first aim has been continuously fulfilled. The Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (UC) was founded on June 21, 1888, to offer training in traditional professions and in technological and practical fields such as business, accounting, chemistry, and electricity. On February 11, 1930, Pope Pius XI declared it a Pontifical University, and in 1931 it was granted full academic autonomy by the Chilean government. It is a private (but with some public support), urban, multi-campus university. It is one of six Catholic universities, and one of 25 institutions within the Chilean university system. Its 18 Faculties are distributed on four campuses in Santiago and one regional campus located in southern Chile. The technical training centers affiliated with the University are: DUOC, the Rural Life Foundations, the Baviera Foundation, the Catechetical Home and the San Fidel Seminary. These centers carry out technical-academic extension activities in rural and agricultural areas. Other UC activities are a Sports Club, a television network that broadcasts into all regions, and a Clinical Hospital dependent on the School of Medicine. Over the last few years the University's leadership in research and graduate programs has had considerable influence on the country's cultural and scientific development. Among other achievements, are an important number of inventions in chemistry (a copper-refining process), in engineering (an induction oven), and in medicine (vaccines). Graduates of the School of Architecture have also made important contributions to the country with such work as the Central Building of the UC, and the National Library. Upon the 100th anniversary of its foundation, the UC continues to make every effort to develop its existing facilities and institutions, as well as to make its intellectual, creative, and spiritual capacity available to the community. The Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (UC) was founded on June 21, 1888, to offer training in traditional professions and in technological and practical fields such as business, accounting, chemistry, and electricity. On February 11, 1930, Pope Pius XI declared it a Pontifical University, and in 1931 it was granted academic autonomy by the Chilean government. It is a private (with public support), urban, multi-campus university. It is one of eight Catholic universities in Chile, and one of 61 institutions within the Chilean university system. Its 18 Faculties are distributed on four campuses in Santiago and one regional campus located in southern Chile. Approximately 26,000 students are enrolled in graduate and undergraduate programs. Over the last few years the University’s leadership in research and graduate programs has had considerable influence on the country’s cultural and scientific development. Among other achievements are an important number of inventions in chemistry (a copper-refining process), in engineering (an induction oven), and in medicine (vaccines).Graduates of the School of Architecture have also made important contributions to the country with such work as the UC Central Campus and the National Library. Upon the120th anniversary of its foundation, the UC continues to make every effort to develop its existing facilities and institutions, as well as to make its intellectual, creative, and spiritual capacity available to the community. The University has established academic agreements with more than three hundred universities in forty six countries