Free University of Colombia ( es, Universidad Libre), also called Unilibre, is a
nonsectarian
Nonsectarian institutions are secular institutions or other organizations not affiliated with or restricted to a particular religious group.
Academic sphere
Examples of US universities that identify themselves as being nonsectarian include Adelp ...
,
coeducational,
private and
nonprofit university
A university () is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. Universities typically offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. In the United States ...
based in
Bogota, Colombia, with six
satellite campus
A satellite campus or branch campus or regional campus is a campus of a university or college that is physically at a distance from the original university or college area. This branch campus may be located in a different city, state, or coun ...
es located in
Cali,
Barranquilla,
Pereira,
Cartagena,
Cúcuta
Cúcuta (), officially San José de Cúcuta, is a Colombian municipality, capital of the department of Norte de Santander and nucleus of the Metropolitan Area of Cúcuta. The city is located in the homonymous valley, at the foot of the Eastern ...
, and
Socorro. It is considered one of Colombia's most comprehensive universities, receiving a high quality accreditation from the
Ministry of Education
An education ministry is a national or subnational government agency politically responsible for education. Various other names are commonly used to identify such agencies, such as Ministry of Education, Department of Education, and Ministry of Pub ...
for 4 years, and offers sixty-seven degree programs at the undergraduate level and one hundred sixty-three graduate level programs.
Since the original intention of this institution of higher education was to offer the space for unbiased learning during a radical political period in the country, the proper translation would be "Freedom University," given it promotes freedom of speech and political thought.
The university is a member of the
Association of Colombian Universities
The Association of Colombian Universities ( es, Asociación Colombiana de Universidades), also known as ASCUN, is a non-profit, non-governmental organization, that congregates the public and private Colombian universities. Its primary objectives ...
(
ASCUN)
and the Iberoamerican University Network
Universia
Universia is a network that consists of 1,401 universities in 20 countries: Andorra, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Spain, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Port ...
.
History
The Universidad Libre was established in 1890 as Universidad Republicana (Republican University of Colombia) by the Colegio Académico. In 1910, Universidad Republicana went through terrible economic mishaps. A group of investors determined to save the institution led by Don Eugenio Lopez, proceeded to try to amass the necessary funds to keep the institution alive. On April 13, 1912, Universidad Republicana S.A. was constituted as a society but its commercial name was
Universidad libre. In 1913 after many legal battles, Universidad Libre became an independent entity from Universidad Republicana.
Now constituted as a separate entity, Universidad Libre once again faced economic issues with many of the contributors withdrawing their funds. Cesar J. Rodriguez was in charge of the daunting task of yet again raising capital for the institution. Mr. Rodriguez hired the seasoned and charismatic leader
Benjamin Herrera as head of the project.
Mr. Herrera was in charge of Universidad Libre until 1921, when he ran an unsuccessful presidential campaign against Pedro Nel Ospina. The defeated Mr. Herrera finally raised the desired amount of capital in 1922 and Julio Cesar Rodriguez announced on March 29, 1922, the beginning of activities.
It was not until February 13, 1923, that Universidad Libre actually started classes, in the first faculty dedicated to Law and Science.
Alumni
Libre's alumni include a vast range of prominent individuals in the history of the country and the region, with the following list representative:
*
Alejandro Galvis Galvis (1891-1981), founder the newspaper ''
Vanguardia Liberal
''Vanguardia'' ( en, Vanguard), formerly ''Vanguardia Liberal'', is a Colombian regional newspaper, founded in September 1919 in Bucaramanga
Bucaramanga () is the capital and largest city of the department of Santander, Colombia. Bucaraman ...
'' and Minister of War.
*
Dilian Francisca Toro
Dilian Francisca Toro Torres (born 6 January 1959) is a Colombian physician and politician, she served as Senator of Colombia from 2002 to 2013. She was investigated by the Supreme Court of Justice of Colombia on charges of money laundering, and ...
, physician and politician.
*
Domingo Esguerra Plata (1875-1965), lawyer and politician.
*
Enrique Olaya Herrera
Enrique Alfredo Olaya Herrera (12 November 1880 – 18 February 1937) was a Colombian journalist and politician. He served as President of Colombia from 7 August 1930 until 7 August 1934 representing the Colombian Liberal Party.
Early years
...
(1880–1937), journalist and President of Colombia.
*
German Zea (1905-1989), lawyer, politician and occupied the Ministries of
Government, Justice, and
Foreign Affairs.
*
Gloria Stella Díaz, lawyer and politician.
*
Gonzalo Correal Urrego, lawyer and scientist.
*
José Fernando Bautista Quintero, lawyer and politician.
*
Manuel Enríquez Rosero, lawyer and politician.
*
Mauricio Pimiento, lawyer and politician.
*
Rodrigo Rivera Salazar
Rodrigo Rivera Salazar (born 20 April 1963) is a Colombian politician. A lawyer, diplomat, professor and journalist, Rivera served in the Congress first as a Member of the Chamber of Representatives for two terms from 1990 to 1998, and then as Se ...
, lawyer, diplomat, professor and journalist.
*
Ruth Stella Correa Palacio, lawyer and Minister of Justice and Law of Colombia.
References
External links
Official Website
1923 establishments in Colombia
Educational institutions established in 1923
{{Colombia-university-stub