National Autonomous University of Mexico
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Please help improve this article or section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. (May 2007) |
| Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México | |
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| Motto: | Por mi raza hablará el espíritu ("For my people will the spirit speak") |
| Established: | September 21, 1551 |
| Type: | Public university |
| Endowment: | 19,961.808.003 Mexican pesos |
| President: | José Narro Robles |
| Staff: | 33,141 |
| Students: | 286,484[1] |
| Undergraduates: | 158,824 (2006)[1] |
| Postgraduates: | 20,747 (2006)[1] |
| Location: | Mexico City,  Mexico |
| Campus: | Urban, 7.3 km² (1,803.86 acres), main campus only |
| Athletics: | 40 varsity teams |
| Colors: | Blue & Gold |
| Mascot: | Puma |
| Website: | www.unam.mx |
National Autonomous University of Mexico (Spanish: "Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México"), also known as U.N.A.M. or UNAM, is a large public University in Mexico. It was founded on September 21, 1551, as the "Real y Pontificia Universidad de México" (Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico) and is the oldest university in the American Continent.
It is the largest university in Latin America. A recent survey by Peking University considered it to be the most significant of all universities in the region, and also the most important university in the Spanish-speaking world.
In addition, it is the only university in Mexico with three Nobel Prize winners among its former students: Alfonso García Robles (Peace), Octavio Paz (Literature), and Mario Molina (Chemistry).
UNAM's autonomy, granted in the 1920s, has given it the freedom to define its own curriculum and manage its own budget without interference from the government. This has had a profound effect on academic life at the university, which is known for its academic freedom and independence.
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[edit] Foundation
UNAM was founded on September 21, 1551, by Royal Decree signed by the king of Spain Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor (Charles I of Spain), in Valladolid, Spain.
[edit] Campi
[edit] University City
"Ciudad Universitaria" (University City) is UNAM's main campus, located within Coyoacán borough in the southern part of Mexico City. Designed by architects Mario Pani, Enrique del Moral, Domingo García Ramos, Armando Franco Rovira and others, it encloses the Estadio Olímpico Universitario, about 40 faculties and institutes, the Cultural Center, an ecological reserve, the Central Library, and a few museums. It was built during the 1950s on an ancient solidified lava bed to replace the scattered buildings in downtown Mexico City where classes were given. It was completed in 1954 and is almost a separate region within Mexico City, with its own regulations, councils, and police (to some extent) in a more fundamental way than most universities around the world. Law enforcement officials from outside the university are not allowed to enter without the consent of the university authorities.
In June 2007, its main campus, Ciudad Universitaria, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. [2]
[edit] Satellite campuses
Apart from Ciudad Universitaria, UNAM has several campuses in the Metropolitan Area of Mexico City (Acatlán, Aragón, Cuautitlán, Iztacala and Zaragoza), as well as many others in several locations across Mexico (in Santiago de Querétaro, Morelia, Mérida, Ensenada, and Cuernavaca, mainly aimed at research and graduate studies. It has also formed four foreign campuses in the United States and Canada.
[edit] External buildings of interest
[edit] Palacio de Minería
Under the care of UNAM's Engineering Faculty, the Colonial Palace of Mining is located in the historical center of Mexico City. Formerly the School of Engineering, it has three floors, and houses the International Book Expo ("Feria Internacional del Libro" or "FIL") and the International Day of Computing Security Congress ("DISC"), among regular events. It also has a permanent exhibition of historical books, mostly topographical and naturalist works of 19th century Mexican scientists, in the former library of the School of Engineers. It has also several exhibitions related to mining, the prime engineering occupation during the Spanish colonization. It is considered to be one of the most significant of Mexican architecture of its period.
[edit] Casa del Lago
House of the Lake, in Chapultepec Park, is a place devoted to cultural activities including dancing, theatre plays and ballet. It also serves as meeting place for university-related organizations and committees.
[edit] Museo de San Ildefonso
A baroque building in downtown Mexico City, held the first schools that later became UNAM.
[edit] Museo Universitario del Chopo
Possessing an artistic architecture, large crystal panels and two iron towers designed by Gustave Eiffel; it served the National Museum of Natural History for almost 50 years. It is now devoted to the temporary exhibitions of visual arts.
[edit] Observatorio Astronómico Nacional
The National Astronomical Observatory is located in the Sierra San Pedro Mártir mountain range in Baja California, about 130 kilometers south of United States-Mexican border. It has been in operation since 1970 and it currently boasts three large reflecting telescopes, with plans for installing a large instrument sensitive to milimetric wavelengths already under way.
[edit] Organization
It consists of faculties rather than departments. Both undergraduate and graduate studies are available. UNAM is also responsible for the Escuela Nacional Preparatoria (ENP) (National Preparatory School), and the Colegio de Ciencias y Humanidades (CCH) (Science and Humanities College), which consist of several high schools, spread around Mexico City. Counting ENEP, CCH, FES (Facultad de Estudios Profesionales) undergraduate and graduate students, UNAM has over 269,000 students, making it one of the world's largest universities.
[edit] List of schools (Faculties and National Schools)
- Faculty of Accounting and Administration
- Faculty of Architecture
- Faculty of Chemistry
- Faculty of Economics
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Higher Studies (FES) Acatlán
- Faculty of Higher Studies (FES) Cuautitlán
- Faculty of Higher Studies (FES) Iztacala
- Faculty of Higher Studies (FES) Zaragoza
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Medicine
- Faculty of Odontology
- Faculty of Philosophy and Literature
- Faculty of Political and Social Sciences
- Faculty of Psychology
- Faculty of Sciences
- Faculty of Veterinarian Medicine
- National School of Arts
- National School of Music
- National School of Nursery and Obstetrics
- National School of Social Work
[edit] Students and faculty
[edit] Faculties and National Schools
UNAM recognizes two different types of university schools: Faculties and National Schools. Faculties are the only institutions that have postgraduate studies. Currently, most of the schools, either inside or outside the University City, had this title. A National School is an institution that cannot offer all postgraduate studies (Master's degrees and Doctorates). This is the case of the National School of Music, the National School of Arts, the National School of Nursery and Obstetrics, and the National School of Social Work.
[edit] Research
UNAM has excelled in many areas of research and houses many of Mexico's premiere research institutions. In recent years it has attracted students and hired professional scientists from all over the world (most notably from Russia, India and the United States)[citation needed], which has created a unique diverse scientific community.
Scientific research at UNAM is divided between faculties, institutes, centers and schools, and covers a range of disciplines in Latin America. Some of the more noted institutes include: Institute of Astronomy, Institute of Biotechnology, Institute of Nuclear Sciences, Institute of Ecology, Institute of Physics, Institute of Cell Physiology, Institute of Geophysics, Institute of Engineering, Institute of Materials Research, Institute of Chemistry, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, and the Applied Mathematics and Systems Research Institute.
Research centers tend to focus on multidisciplinary problems particularly relevant to Mexico and the developing world, most notably: Center of Applied Sciences and Technological Development, which focuses on connecting the sciences to real-world problems (e.g., optics, nanosciences) and Center of Energy Research, which does world-class research in alternative energies.
All research centers are open to students from Mexico and around the world.
UNAM's scientific output continues to grow, despite numerous attempts by the Mexican government to curtail its budget, the University currently producing 60% of all scientific publications in Mexico.
As for basic sciences, UNAM currently has two Howard Hughes Medical Institute Scholars and endowment from the NIH extramural research program.
[edit] Sports, clubs, and traditions
[edit] Professional football team
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It has been suggested that Pumas Dorados de la UNAM be merged into this article or section. (Discuss) |
UNAM's football team Club Universidad Nacional participates in the Primera División de México of the Mexican Football League Division. The club became two-time consecutive champions of the Apertura, and the Clausura in 2004. Their home ground is the Estadio Olímpico Universitario stadium.
[edit] Political activism
UNAM students and professors are regarded around Mexico as very politically aware and sometimes very politically active. The general tendency of UNAM is significant, with several socialist, anarchist, and communist (i.e., left-wing) movements emerging from university students and staff. However, the university is very diverse and welcomes other political inclinations. It is the alma mater of several prominent right-wing and neo-liberal politicians such as Carlos Salinas de Gortari or Manuel Gómez Morín.
UNAM has been accused as being the place where some terrorist groups are formed, but the truth is that UNAM is only the birth of different ways of thinking, the origin of different types of ideas. It is the main nest of conscience and awareness. UNAM is regarded to be the place with the most active political discussion in Mexico, mostly by faculty members, some of which are also influential in Mexican politics. Political debate on national and international issues is very much encouraged, raising the political awareness of the students, providing solid leadership, and nurturing a diversity of ideas, leading in some extent to the creation of several groups supporting all types of ideological platforms.
[edit] Noted alumni
Many of the most prominent figures in the economical, political, scientific and artistic life in Mexico have been a member of the UNAM alumni or faculty:
[edit] Presidents of a nation
- Carlos Salinas de Gortari (President of Mexico 1988–1994)
- Miguel de la Madrid Hurtado (President of Mexico 1982–1988)
- José López Portillo y Pacheco (President of Mexico 1976–1982)
- Luis Echeverría Álvarez (President of Mexico 1970–1976)
- Miguel Alemán Valdés (President of Mexico 1946–1952)
- Abel Pacheco de la Espriella (President of Costa Rica 2002–2006)
- Alfonso Portillo (President of Guatemala 2000–2004)
[edit] Politicians
- Antonio Carrillo Flores (cabinet minister in several previous administrations)
- Andrés Manuel López Obrador (Head of Government of the Federal District from 2000 to 2005 and candidate for the Presidency of Mexico in 2006)
- Alan Cranston, U.S. Senator from California.
- Alfonso Caso y Andrade, a very noted archaeologist.
- Álvaro García Linera, vice-president of Bolivia.
- Veton Surroi, Kosovo publicist and leader of the Kosovar Party ORA.
[edit] Diplomats
- Antonio Carrillo Flores, former Ministry of Mexicain Foreign Affairs during the Díaz Ordaz administration.
- Alfonso García Robles, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
- Antonio Gómez Robledo, former Ministry of Mexicain Foreign Affairs during the López Portillo administration.
- Narciso Bassols, one time ambassador to Russia, France, and Great Britain. Former director of UNAM School of Law.
- Rosario Green, former Ministry of Mexicain Foreign Affairs during the Zedillo administration.
[edit] Artists, writers and humanists
- César Costa, actor and singer.
- Alfonso Reyes, writer, philosopher and diplomat.
- Jaime Torres Bodet, writer and politician.
- Adolfo Sánchez Vázquez, philosopher and writer.
- Elena Poniatowska, journalist and writer.
- Salvador Elizondo, writer and a member of El Colegio Nacional.
- Carlos Fuentes, writer, essayist and a member of El Colegio Nacional.
- Enrique Krauze, historian, essayist and publisher (director of Letras Libres journal.
- Carlos Monsiváis, editorialist and writer.
- José Emilio Pacheco, writer and a member of El Colegio Nacional.
- Fernando del Paso, writer.
- Octavio Paz, poet and essayist; a Literature Nobel Prize laureate (he never graduated).
- Alfonso García Robles, a Peace Nobel Prize laureate.
- Jaime Sabines, poet.
- Enrique Semo, historian, writer, activist, Mexico City Secretary of Culture
- Alfonso Caso, archaeologist.
- Audre Lorde, writer, poet and activist.
- Jorge Volpi, novelist and essayist; current director of Canal 22 in Mexican free television.
- Jacobo Zabludovsky, journalist and first TV Anchorman in Mexico.
- William F. Buckley, writer and political philosopher; attended in 1943 prior to being commissioned in the US Army during the World War II.
[edit] Physicians and surgeons
- Carlos Fernández del Castillo, M.D. (pancreatic diseases, pancreatobiliary surgery, gastrointestinal surgery) (Massachusetts General Hospital, USA)[1] [2] [3]
- Guillermo Soberón Acevedo, biochemist and a member of El Colegio Nacional.
- Ruy Pérez Tamayo, pathologist.
[edit] Scientists
- Luis E. Miramontes, co-inventor of the contraceptive pill.
- Dr. Rodolfo Neri Vela, the first Mexican in space.
- Mario J. Molina, a Chemistry Nobel Prize laureate.
- Guillermo Haro, astronomer, co-discoverer of Herbig-Haro objects.
- Carlos Frenk, astronomer, a pioneer in simulations of large-scale structures.
- Nabor Carrillo Flores, a soil mechanics expert, a nuclear energy advisor and former president of UNAM.
- Miguel José Yacamán, physicist.
- Miguel Alcubierre, theoretical and computational physicist (see Alcubierre metric).
- Marcos Moshinsky, a theoretical physicist.
- Antonio Lazcano, a notable biologist working in the field of origin of life.
- Víctor Neumann-Lara, a pioneer in the graph theory in Mexico.
- Salvador Zubirán, a physician, founder of the National Institute of Nutrition.
- Miguel de Icaza, free software programmer (dropped out).
[edit] Tycoons
- Carlos Slim Helú, the second richest man in the world, according to the latest Forbes list (see the 2008 Forbes Billionaire List).
[edit] Sports stars
- Hugo Sánchez Márquez, one of Mexico's most acknowledged football players and former Real Madrid player.
[edit] Noted faculty
- Max Cetto, architect.
- Alejandro Corichi, astrophysicist.
- Axel Didriksson Takanayagui, a writer education researcher and current Secretary of Education working for the Government of Mexico City.
- Erich Fromm, a German-born philosopher and psychoanalist, founder of the Mexican Institute of Psychoanalysis.
- Paul Kirchhoff, anthropologist and ethnohistorian, one of the founders of anthropologic studies at UNAM.
- José Gaos, philosopher.
- Jorge González Torres, politician, former presidential candidate.
- José Miguel Insulza, a Chilean politician, secretary of the Organization of American States.
- Imanol Ordorika, a specialist in education.
- Maricela Ortega Villalobos, physiology.
- Kiyoto Ota, sculptor.
- Arturo Rosenblueth, physiologist.
- Adolfo Sánchez Vázquez, a Spanish-born philosopher.
- Sara Sefchovich, writer.
- Manuel Sandoval Vallarta, physicist and cosmic ray researcher.
- Miguel León-Portilla, historian and náhuatl language researcher.
- Edmundo O'Gorman, historian and writer.
- Rodolfo Neri Vela, former astronaut.
[edit] University ranking
According to The Times Higher Education Supplement 2007 edition (London), which coincides with other worldwide recognized ranking lists, UNAM is the 74th best university in the world and the first in Iberoamerica.
[edit] See also
- XHUNAM-TV ("Teveunam", UNAM's educational and cultural television channel)
- DGSCA (Departamento de Servicios de Cómputo Académico, Hub of Computer Sciences/Engineering in UNAM)
[edit] References
[4]Unam, la 74 mejor en el mundo <http://www.dgcs.unam.mx/gacetaweb/2006/061009/gaceta.pdf>
[5]Unam, la mejor en Iberoamérica <http://www.el-universal.com.mx/nacion/143868.html>
[edit] External links
- Official website (Spanish) (English)
- Culture (Spanish)
- All UNAM Websites (Spanish)
- Ciudad Universitaria - Google Maps satellite photo
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