The Universidad de las Américas, whose official name is Fundación Universidad de las Américas, Puebla (also known as UDLA or UDLAP), is one of the most important private universities in Mexico. Its academic programs, both in the undergraduate and graduate schools have national and international prestige. It is located in Cholula, a small city that is part of the metropolitan area of the city Puebla. The rector, or president, of the univeristy is Dr. Nora Lustig .

History

• 1940's

The Universidad de las Américas was founded in 1940 by Dr. Henry L. Cain and Dr. Paul V. Murray. Its original name was "Mexico City College". The institution initally offered Associate degrees in Arts and Sciences. In 1946 the Veterans Administration added the university to its list of "approved universities" which allowed veterans to study in the institution with financing from the United States' government. The Graduate School was created in 1947.

• 1950's

The university was accepted by the Texas Association of Colleges, as an overseas institution in 1951. In 1959 the university became a member of the Southern Association of Colleges ans Schools (SACS).

• 1960's

In 1963 the univeristy changed its name to "University of the Americas". The institution was divided into three schools: Mexico City College, School of Arts and Sciences and the Graduate School. In 1967 the Mary Street Jenkins Foundation along with the International Development Agency provided the financial resources to build a new campus in Puebla, Puebla. In 1968 the unviersity decided to change its name to its Spanish translation "Universidad de las Américas".

• 1970's

The Universidad de las Américas moved to its new campus in the city of Puebla. Two more schools were created: the Institute of Technology (now the School of Engineering) in 1971 and the School of Economics and Buisiness Sciences in 1978.

• 1980's

The Institute of Advanced Studies was created in 1986 and in 1988 the School of Humanities and Social Sciences became two separate entities. In 1989 the School of Sciences was created.

• 1990's

New Science Laboratories were built, as well as a new building for the School of Humanities. In 1994 the school became connected with a network of voice and data. In 1997 the Library was remodeled and allowed students to "digitally access" it.

• 2000's

New Chemical Engineering Laboratories were built. Two Doctoral programs were created, one in Economics and the other in Computer Science. In 2002 the Institute of Public Politics was created as well as the Center of Regional Development. A new laboratory of Optical Communications was built for the Information and Automatization Technology Research Center.

Campus

The campus is made up of 38 buildings on 180 acres, located 12 miles west of Puebla's downtown, and less than 2 miles south of Cholula's downtown. The 38 buildings include 6 clasroom buildings, 2 laboratory buildings, 3 on-campus dormitories, 3 off-campus dormitories, 2 soccer fields, 1 football field, 1 baseball field, 2 gymnasuims, tennis courts, 2 cafeterias, 1 library, 1 Student Center, 1 Auditorium, Offices and Professor's Housing. The campus was built on what was originally known as the Hacienda de Sta. Catarina Mártir.

Schools and Departments

• School of Arts and Humanities
• School of Sciences
• School of Social Sciences
• School of Engineering
• Business School
• School of Graduate Studies and Research
• Department of International Affairs

Sports

Universidad de las Américas football team ("fútbol americano" as it is called in Mexico, and should not be confused with the soccer team), is called "Aztecas". They have won 3 championships in the National League called ONEFA.

Affiliations

The Universidad de las Américas is affiliated to:

• AMIGOS: Red Nacional de Cooperación Bibliotecaria
• AMPEI: Asociación Mexicana para la Educación Internacional
• ANFEI: Asociación Nacional de Facultades y Escuelas de Ingeniería
• ANUIES: Asociación Nacional de Universidades e Instituciones de Educación Superior
• CLARA: Cooperación Latino Americana de Redes Avanzadas College Board
• CONAHEC: Consortium for North American Higher Education Collaboration
• CUDI: Corporación Universitaria para el Desarrollo de Internet
• UNIVERSIA

Accreditations

Besides being accredited by the Secretaria de Educación Pública (Mexican Ministry of Education), the Universidad de las Amérias is also accredited by:

• SACS - Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
• FIMPES - Federación de Instituciones Mexicanas Particulares de Educación Superior
• CACEI - Consejo de Acreditación de la Enseñanza de la Ingeniería, A.C.
• CONAET - Consejo Nacional para la Calidad de la Educación Turística A. C.

University Facts

• Total Faculty: 763 members, 44% is full-time, 20% belong to the National System of Researchers (SNI)
• Total Students: more than 8,000; in 2004 1,647 new students were admitted, 250 of them were international. Forty percent of the students receive financial aid from the university.
• Study Abroad Programs: International study is offered in 182 universities in 29 countries.
• International Students: 1,114 international students came to the university as exchange students.

Honoris Causa Degrees

The following is a list of some of the Honoris Causa Degrees awarded by the Universidad de las Américas:

• Dr. William Richardson: Governor of New Mexico, USA
• Dr. Mario Molina: Scientist and Noble Price Winner in Chemistry
• Dr. Enrique V. Iglesias: President of the Inter-American Development Bank

External links

• Universidad de las Américas, Puebla Web Page
• Digital Libraries Web Page
• Alumni Web Page