University of the Andes, Colombia
Encyclopedia
The University of the Andes , is a coeducational, nonsectarian private university
located in city centre Bogotá
, Colombia
. Founded in 1948, the University has 9 faculties: Administration, Architecture and Design, Arts and Humanities, Sciences, Social Sciences, Law, Economics, Engineering and Medicine, which offer undergraduate and postgraduate programs; and the Center for Research and Training in Education (CIFE), and the Interdisciplinary Center for Development Studies (CIDER), for postgraduate programs. In addition, the University includes the first private school for public affairs - the Alberto Lleras Camargo Government School, which is named after a former President of the Republic and Rector of the University. Furthermore, the international summer school program offers its students the opportunity to expand their international perspective by taking advanced courses in specialized areas. A great percentage of professors have gone to the most prestigious universities around the world and the country. Representing a high quality education and an elite institution, it is ranked as a top tier university in Latin America. occupying the sixth place in the subcontinent according to the QS - Times Higher Education classification .
The university was founded by a group of Colombian intellectuals led by Mario Laserna Pinzón
, and was the first university in the country to be nonsectarian, that is, independent of political parties or influence from the state or the church. Today, the University seeks to model itself after major research universities through strategies such as greater focus on graduate education and research. As a result of this, the university offers doctoral programs and new research facilities have been built on campus. The University of the Andes has achieved wide international visibility in the early twentyfirst century: in 2011 it was included among the top 500 universities worldwide (400-450 tier) in the QS - Times Higher Education classification from London. It was the only Colombian university included in the scale and it's included in the group of the top 10 Latin American universities.
The campus is largely made up of a mixture of remodeled industrial and religious buildings and newly constructed facilities. The infrastructure covers 142,316 sq mts. and includes approximately 116
classrooms, 219 laboratories, a central library and 5 satellite libraries (specialized by areas), where more than 409,700 books are available for students. It also has 26 computer rooms and 6 service units that hire out laptops, offering nearly 2,000 computers for student use (16.5 computers for each 100 students).
Also on campus are:
In addition to the main campus, the University also has an Internships Center for the Medicine Faculty, located in the Fundación Santa Fe Hospital, in the north of the city. Uniandes and Fundación Santa Fe—one of the most renowned medical institutions in the country—engage in a joint academic venture.
. Its story dates back to the late 1940s when a goat roamed the campus freely. Students adopted it, and it became a symbol for the university. The goat died in 1966 when it fell off a cliff. Today it is not possible to keep a goat on campus, but Seneca is still fondly remembered. The wireless spots are named after the goat, and every year a goat is brought to the university to celebrate "Students' Day".
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
located in city centre Bogotá
Bogotá
Bogotá, Distrito Capital , from 1991 to 2000 called Santa Fé de Bogotá, is the capital, and largest city, of Colombia. It is also designated by the national constitution as the capital of the department of Cundinamarca, even though the city of Bogotá now comprises an independent Capital district...
, Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
. Founded in 1948, the University has 9 faculties: Administration, Architecture and Design, Arts and Humanities, Sciences, Social Sciences, Law, Economics, Engineering and Medicine, which offer undergraduate and postgraduate programs; and the Center for Research and Training in Education (CIFE), and the Interdisciplinary Center for Development Studies (CIDER), for postgraduate programs. In addition, the University includes the first private school for public affairs - the Alberto Lleras Camargo Government School, which is named after a former President of the Republic and Rector of the University. Furthermore, the international summer school program offers its students the opportunity to expand their international perspective by taking advanced courses in specialized areas. A great percentage of professors have gone to the most prestigious universities around the world and the country. Representing a high quality education and an elite institution, it is ranked as a top tier university in Latin America. occupying the sixth place in the subcontinent according to the QS - Times Higher Education classification .
The university was founded by a group of Colombian intellectuals led by Mario Laserna Pinzón
Mario Laserna Pinzón
Mario Laserna Pinzón is a French-Colombian educator and politician. Laserna Pinzón is credited for being the founder of the Los Andes University in Bogotá, which was incorporated in 1948 and is a private institution modeled on the United States liberal arts educational system...
, and was the first university in the country to be nonsectarian, that is, independent of political parties or influence from the state or the church. Today, the University seeks to model itself after major research universities through strategies such as greater focus on graduate education and research. As a result of this, the university offers doctoral programs and new research facilities have been built on campus. The University of the Andes has achieved wide international visibility in the early twentyfirst century: in 2011 it was included among the top 500 universities worldwide (400-450 tier) in the QS - Times Higher Education classification from London. It was the only Colombian university included in the scale and it's included in the group of the top 10 Latin American universities.
Mission
The University of the Andes, an autonomous and independent institution, states that it fosters pluralism, diversity, dialogue, debate, criticism, tolerance and respect towards its members' ideas, beliefs and values.Staff
Los Andes had 510 full-time teachers, of whom 38% had a master’s degree and 51% a PhD from a top university in the world(this number exceeds the national standard of 2% for the country, and up to 30% for public universities). The University of the Andes has supported 250 teachers in undertaking their master's and PhD studies in different subject areas in renowned foreign universities. The following data show the distribution of teachers in the different Faculties.Student population
- 55% male, 45% female.
- 30% come from outside Bogota.
- 87% of the undergraduate students come from the 5% of the best high school students in the country.
Academic structure
Students can take classes from all academic programs offered at Los Andes; this interdisciplinary approach allows students to design their own curricular program, with the assistance of study counselors. The following scheme shows the academic structure at Uniandes, which includes four cycles: a Basic Professional Cycle (CBP in Spanish), which refers to the basic subjects belonging to each program; a Cycle of Elective Courses in Socio-humanistic issues (CSH in Spanish), common to all programs and that offers about 180 courses; a Professional Cycle (CP in Spanish), which includes the main professional subject for each program; and a Professional Complementary Cycle (CPC), which includes subjects from the specific program and subjects from other programs.International students
International students can attend the university as visitor students, who must take at least three courses a semester, or Exchange students, who can take between two and six courses per semester. Los Andes has academic exchange programs with more than 119 universities in 34 countries worldwide.Campus
The university's campus is located in Bogota's historical center, an area that houses most of the city’s buildings of cultural interest, universities, banks and large Colombian companies, the main offices of the national and local government, and a variety of cultural meeting places such as libraries, museums, theaters, scientific and literary centers, and art galleries.The campus is largely made up of a mixture of remodeled industrial and religious buildings and newly constructed facilities. The infrastructure covers 142,316 sq mts. and includes approximately 116
classrooms, 219 laboratories, a central library and 5 satellite libraries (specialized by areas), where more than 409,700 books are available for students. It also has 26 computer rooms and 6 service units that hire out laptops, offering nearly 2,000 computers for student use (16.5 computers for each 100 students).
Also on campus are:
- Central cafeteria and 9 other food stations inside and outside the campus.
- Gym and sports facilities.
- Health Services.
- Rest and study areas.
- ATMs.
In addition to the main campus, the University also has an Internships Center for the Medicine Faculty, located in the Fundación Santa Fe Hospital, in the north of the city. Uniandes and Fundación Santa Fe—one of the most renowned medical institutions in the country—engage in a joint academic venture.
Academics
Los Andes University offers 30 undergraduate programs, 30 specialized degree programs, 20 master's programs, and 5 doctoral programs.- Undergraduate Programs
- Administration (Business)
- AnthropologyAnthropologyAnthropology is the study of humanity. It has origins in the humanities, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. The term "anthropology" is from the Greek anthrōpos , "man", understood to mean mankind or humanity, and -logia , "discourse" or "study", and was first used in 1501 by German...
- ArchitectureArchitectureArchitecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
- ArtArtArt is the product or process of deliberately arranging items in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect....
- BiologyBiologyBiology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
- Political SciencePolitical sciencePolitical Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
- LawLawLaw is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
- DesignDesignDesign as a noun informally refers to a plan or convention for the construction of an object or a system while “to design” refers to making this plan...
- EconomicsEconomicsEconomics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
- PhilosophyPhilosophyPhilosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
- PhysicsPhysicsPhysics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
- HistoryHistoryHistory is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
- History of Arts
- Earth ScienceEarth scienceEarth science is an all-embracing term for the sciences related to the planet Earth. It is arguably a special case in planetary science, the Earth being the only known life-bearing planet. There are both reductionist and holistic approaches to Earth sciences...
- Environmental EngineeringEnvironmental engineeringEnvironmental engineering is the application of science and engineering principles to improve the natural environment , to provide healthy water, air, and land for human habitation and for other organisms, and to remediate polluted sites...
- Civil EngineeringCivil engineeringCivil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including works like roads, bridges, canals, dams, and buildings...
- Systems and Computing Engineering
- Electrical EngineeringElectrical engineeringElectrical engineering is a field of engineering that generally deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics and electromagnetism. The field first became an identifiable occupation in the late nineteenth century after commercialization of the electric telegraph and electrical...
- Electronic EngineeringElectronic engineeringElectronics engineering, also referred to as electronic engineering, is an engineering discipline where non-linear and active electrical components such as electron tubes, and semiconductor devices, especially transistors, diodes and integrated circuits, are utilized to design electronic...
- Industrial EngineeringIndustrial engineeringIndustrial engineering is a branch of engineering dealing with the optimization of complex processes or systems. It is concerned with the development, improvement, implementation and evaluation of integrated systems of people, money, knowledge, information, equipment, energy, materials, analysis...
- Mechanical EngineeringMechanical engineeringMechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the...
- Chemical EngineeringChemical engineeringChemical engineering is the branch of engineering that deals with physical science , and life sciences with mathematics and economics, to the process of converting raw materials or chemicals into more useful or valuable forms...
- Biomedical EngineeringBiomedical engineeringBiomedical Engineering is the application of engineering principles and design concepts to medicine and biology. This field seeks to close the gap between engineering and medicine: It combines the design and problem solving skills of engineering with medical and biological sciences to improve...
- Languages & Sociocultural StudiesCultural studiesCultural studies is an academic field grounded in critical theory and literary criticism. It generally concerns the political nature of contemporary culture, as well as its historical foundations, conflicts, and defining traits. It is, to this extent, largely distinguished from cultural...
- Literature
- MathematicsMathematicsMathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
- MedicineMedicineMedicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
- MicrobiologyMicrobiologyMicrobiology is the study of microorganisms, which are defined as any microscopic organism that comprises either a single cell , cell clusters or no cell at all . This includes eukaryotes, such as fungi and protists, and prokaryotes...
- MusicMusicMusic is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
- PsychologyPsychologyPsychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
- ChemistryChemistryChemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
- Specialized Graduate Programs
- Master's Programs
- Doctoral Programs
- Anthropology
- Biology
- History
- Economics
- Engineering
- Physics
- Political Science
- Psychology
- School of ManagementManagementManagement in all business and organizational activities is the act of getting people together to accomplish desired goals and objectives using available resources efficiently and effectively...
- Marketing
- Finance
- School of Architecture and Design
- Department of ArchitectureArchitectureArchitecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
- Department of Design
- Department of Architecture
- School of Arts and Humanities
- CIDER
- School of Social Sciences
- School of LawLawLaw is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
- School of Economics
- School of Government Alberto Lleras Camargo
- School of EngineeringEngineeringEngineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
- School of MedicineMedicineMedicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
Organization and Structure
The University has a Board of Directors, an Executive committee, a Rector and three Vice Rectors, for academic and administrative management. It also has a General Secretary, an Academic Council, Department deans and coordinators, Faculty Councils, additional academic and administrative staff and departments for the smooth operation of the InstitutionMascot
The mascot of Uniandes is a goat called Séneca, after the Roman Stoic philosopherSeneca the Younger
Lucius Annaeus Seneca was a Roman Stoic philosopher, statesman, dramatist, and in one work humorist, of the Silver Age of Latin literature. He was tutor and later advisor to emperor Nero...
. Its story dates back to the late 1940s when a goat roamed the campus freely. Students adopted it, and it became a symbol for the university. The goat died in 1966 when it fell off a cliff. Today it is not possible to keep a goat on campus, but Seneca is still fondly remembered. The wireless spots are named after the goat, and every year a goat is brought to the university to celebrate "Students' Day".
Former deans of Law School
- Eduardo Cifuentes Muñoz (current)
- Alfredo Luis Fuentes Hernández
- Manuel Jose Cepeda Espinosa
- Alfredo Lewin Figueroa
- Luis Ignacio Becerra Fadul
- Mauricio Echeverri Gutierrez
- Carlos Gustavo Arrieta Padilla
- Fernando Cepeda Ulloa
- Gustavo Zafra Roldan
- Eduardo Alvarez-Correa Duperly
- Jaime Vidal Perdomo
- Sergio Rodríguez Restrepo
- Fernando Umaña Pavolini
- Hernando Gómez Otálora
Former deans of Economics School
- Alejandro Gaviria Uribe (Current)
- Juan Carlos EcheverryJuan Carlos Echeverry (politician)Juan Carlos Echeverry Garzón is a Colombian economist and the Minister of Finance and Public Credit of Colombia. He is the president of Econcept, a financial consulting firm in Bogotá and is an Associate Professor of Economics at Universidad de los Andes.He served as Colombia’s Minister of...
- Alberto Carrasquilla Barrera
- Santiago Montenegro Trujillo
- José Leibovich
- Manuel Ramírez Gómez
- Eduardo Sarmiento Palacio
- Edgar Reveiz Roldán
- Augusto Cano Motta
- Francisco Ortega Acosta
- Eduardo Wiesner Durán
- Miguel Fadul
- Daniel Peñaranda
- Jorge Ruíz Lara
- Armando Sánchez Torres
- Hernán Echavarría Olózaga
Alumni from Los Andes
- Alberto Lleras CamargoAlberto Lleras CamargoAlberto Lleras Camargo was an important Colombian diplomat and political figure.He was a member of the Liberal Party of Colombia; he served as congressman , Minister of Education, Minister of the Interior and Minister of Foreign Affairs, during the governments of Alfonso López Pumarejo and Eduardo...
- Colombian president who helped found the Los Andes University - Nicolás Gómez Dávila - a Colombian writer who helped found the Los Andes University
- César GaviriaCésar GaviriaCésar Gaviria Trujillo is a Colombian politician and a Latin American statesman. He served as President of Colombia from 1990 to 1994, and Secretary General of the Organization of American States from 1994 until 2004.-Early life:...
- President of ColombiaPresident of ColombiaThe President of Colombia is the head of state and head of government of the Republic of Colombia. The office of president was established upon the ratification of the Constitution of 1819, by the Congress of Angostura, convened in December 1819, when Colombia was part of "la Gran Colombia"...
from 1990 to 1994, and Secretary General of the Organization of American StatesOrganization of American StatesThe Organization of American States is a regional international organization, headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States...
from 1994 until 2004. - Fanny LúFanny LuFanny Lucía Martínez Buenaventura , known professionally as Fanny Lú, is a Colombian singer-songwriter and actress from Santiago de Cali, Colombia.-Early life:...
- Colombian singer-songwriter and actress.