University of Concepción facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
University of Concepción

Universidad de Concepción
Motto	Por el desarrollo libre del espíritu.
Motto in English	For the free development of the spirit.
Type	Traditional, Private (with State contributions)
Established	May 14, 1919
Budget	US$ 66 million
Rector	Carlos Saavedra Rubilar
Academic staff	1,164
Students	27,998
Undergraduates	25,870
Postgraduates	2,128
Location	Concepción , Concepción Province, Bío Bío Region , Chile
Campus	Urban
Colors	Blue and yellow

The University of Concepción (often called UdeC) is a well-known private university in Chile. It was created by the people of Concepción and is considered one of the best universities in the country. It's known for doing a lot of important research in many different subjects.

Founded on May 14, 1919, UdeC is the third oldest university in Chile. It is also one of the 25 universities that belong to the Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities. Its main campus is in the city of Concepción. There are also two other campuses in Chillán and Los Ángeles. In a survey from 2012, people in Concepción chose it as the symbol that best represents them.

This university was the first one built in the central-south part of Chile. It was also the first to be set up as a private organization. UdeC played a big role in changing how Chilean universities worked in the late 1960s. It was the first Chilean university to approve a "University Reform" in 1968. This reform gave students more say in how the university was run.

The main person who helped start the university was Enrique Molina Garmendia, a Chilean educator and lawyer. He wanted to create the first university in Chile that was not connected to a specific religion. The University of Concepción uses a lot of its money for academic research. It has the most complete museum of Chilean art in the country. It also has many sports centers and a network of 11 libraries. The main library is huge, covering about 10,000 square meters, and holds 100,000 books.

By 2012, about 57,000 students had graduated from UdeC. Around 23,700 students were studying there at that time, with 2,166 of them in advanced programs. About 72% of its teachers have high-level degrees like doctorates or master's degrees. The university's buildings cover a large area, making it one of the biggest in Chile.

The university is currently recognized by the National Accreditation Commission (CNA-Chile) for the longest possible time, seven years (from 2016 to 2023). It ranks very high among Chilean universities. For example, it was third in the CSIC webometric classification in 2017 and third in the AméricaEconomía 2017 ranking. It also appears in major world university rankings like QS, Times Higher Education, and Scimago Institution Rankings.

In 2016, the Concepción campus was named a National Heritage site by Chile's Council of National Monuments. This is a special honor, making it the first and only university in Chile to get this recognition. It's because of the unique design and architecture of its buildings and campus. This means the government helps protect and preserve the campus. Any changes to it must be reported, and any damage is taken very seriously by law. Also, the first Bío Bío Technological Science Park (PACYT) will be built near the campus. The university will help manage this park, which aims to be a place for new ideas and important developments for Chile's future.

A Look Back: The University's Story

Sculpture honoring the university's founders at the University Forum.

Why a University in Concepción?

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, many smart people in Concepción wanted a university in southern Chile. They wanted a place where students could get professional degrees without having to go all the way to the capital city, Santiago. But creating such a big project needed a lot of planning. In February 1917, a local newspaper, El Sur, wrote that the idea wasn't possible yet because "those who want to create it" weren't organized enough.

The Idea Takes Shape

On March 23, 1917, the first official meeting happened. People gathered to work on two big goals for Concepción: building a hospital and a university. These two projects were connected because the hospital would be used by the new university's medical school. After discussions, a group was chosen to lead these projects. Important members of this group included Enrique Molina Garmendia, Pedro Nolasco, Edmundo Larenas, and Virginio Gómez.

Building the Dream

The committee then sent all the necessary papers to the Congress to officially create the university. The Congress approved the plan. So, on May 14, 1919, Enrique Molina Garmendia founded the university and became its first leader, called the rector.

Today, the university gets its money from different organizations that are part of the "University of Concepción Corporation." The Lottery is one of the main groups that helps fund it. Thanks to this support, the University of Concepción has become one of the most modern and important universities in Chile.

Where It All Happens: Campuses

The University of Concepción has three campuses. They are located in Chillán, Los Ángeles, and Concepción. The campus in Concepción is the main and most important one.

Main Campus: Concepción

The Arc of Medicine, at the entrance of the Concepción Campus

The university's main campus is in a special area known as the University District. This whole area is called the University City (Ciudad Universitaria). It includes museums, sculptures, and parks. Today, the campus covers a huge area of about 1,425,000 square meters, with many buildings. It is the center for learning, science, culture, technology, and research in Concepción. The famous Presencia de América Latina mural by Jorge González Camarena is inside the Casa del Arte building on campus.

In 2010, the University of Concepción campus was recognized as one of Chile's most important architectural achievements from the first half of the 20th century. It received the "Obra Bicentenario" award. This award honors works that have changed Chilean cities and made life better for people over the last 100 years.

A large mural showing the connection between Latin American peoples and cultures. This artwork was a gift from the Mexican government in the 1960s and was created by Jorge González Camarena.

Chillán Campus: Focus on Agriculture

The Chillán campus started in 1955. Many groups helped support it, including the United Nations, the OAS, and universities from America and Europe. This campus mainly focuses on subjects related to farming and agriculture. It has about 2,000 students, over 100 teachers, and 250 staff members.

Los Ángeles Campus: Growing Strong

The Los Ángeles campus was founded in 1962. The people of the province asked the university's leader, David Stitchkin Branover, to create it. Currently, this campus has 1,300 students and 35 full-time teachers, plus other part-time academic staff.

What You Can Study: Departments and Schools

The University of Concepción is made up of 19 different schools and departments where students can learn various subjects:

• Department of Agronomy (farming)
• Department of Architecture, Urban Planning and Geography
• Department of Biological Sciences (life sciences)
• School of Economics and Business Administration
• Department of Physical Sciences and Mathematics
• Department of Forestry (forest management)
• School of Law and Social Sciences
• Department of Natural and Oceanographic Sciences (ocean studies)
• Department of Chemical Sciences
• Department of Nursing
• Department of Social Sciences
• School of Veterinary Science (animal health)
• School of Education
• Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry (medicine making)
• School of Humanities and Arts
• Department of Engineering
• Department of Agricultural Engineering
• School of Medicine
• School of Dentistry
• School of Pharmacy
• School of Environmental Sciences

Who Leads the University?

The current leader of the university, called the rector, is Carlos Saavedra Rubilar. The University of Concepción is part of a group called the Council of Rectors of Traditional Chilean Universities. Here are the rectors who have led the university over the years:

See also

In Spanish: Universidad de Concepción para niños

• Concepción
• List of universities in Chile