Higher University of San Simón

Higher University of San Simón Overview

The Universidad Mayor de San Simón (UMSS), often referred to as the "Supreme House of Learning," stands as a distinguished public university in Bolivia, with its main campus situated in the city of Cochabamba. The institution's educational reach extends across various academic units spread throughout the Cochabamba department. Notably, it holds the distinction of being the oldest university in Cochabamba and the third oldest in Bolivia, following the Universidad Mayor, Real y Pontificia San Francisco Xavier de Chuquisaca (1624) and the Universidad Mayor de San Andrés (1830) in La Paz. UMSS proudly hosts a diverse student body from across Bolivia and neighboring nations such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Peru. It offers a range of professional programs, postgraduate studies, second specialization options, and community extension courses.

According to the Webometrics University Ranking 2021, UMSS has been recognized as the second-best university in Bolivia. Nevertheless, there remain opportunities for further enhancement and recognition at the Latin American level.

Historical Background:

The establishment of the Universidad Mayor de San Simón traces back to the enactment of the Law on November 5, 1832, under the leadership of Marshal Andrés de Santa Cruz. This law also heralded the creation and operation of an Academy of Jurist Practitioners, effectively marking the inception of the Faculty of Law. Between 1834 and 1835, UMSS conferred its first three Doctor of Law degrees. The Decree of August 25, 1845, ratified as Law on November 12, 1846, stipulated the division of the Republic into three university districts; Cochabamba assumed responsibility for the Santa Cruz de la Sierra district.

In 1863, the Faculty of Medicine was established, with operations continuing until 1872. However, it was later reinstated through a Supreme Order issued by Dr. Aniceto Arce on February 4, 1892.

The Faculties of Law and Medicine served as the initial academic-professional entities that laid the foundation for the Universidad Mayor de San Simón.

While drawing inspiration from Spanish universities, particularly those of the Colonial New World, the UMSS emerged as a breeding ground for libertarian ideals that would eventually shape the Republic. Bolstered by the reformist ideas of Córdoba, as articulated in the "Manifiesto Liminar de la Juventud Argentina" published on July 21, 1918, in the "Gaceta Universitaria" of the Universidad de San Carlos, the fervor of autonomy struggles gained a continental dimension. In Bolivia, these ideals were solidified through the February 23, 1931, Decree Law, which incorporated University Autonomy into the Political Constitution of the State following a referendum on January 11, 1931, called by the government of General Carlos Blanco Galindo.

However, as noted by Dr. Arturo Urquidi Morales, "legal autonomy alone is insufficient." Spiritual autonomy is equally crucial, serving as a moral force capable of safeguarding the institution against challenges and transforming it into an impregnable bastion of scientific culture, untethered and committed to the purest aspirations of national independence.

Over time, UMSS has actively engaged in studying and debating critical issues, including mine nationalization, agrarian reform, universal suffrage, indigenous rights, ecology, bilingual intercultural education, and pressing regional needs. Autonomy, in this context, opens up to new ideas and patriotic concerns, fostering an environment of spiritual openness in the face of dogmatism and intolerance. It becomes an agora of creativity and analysis, a crucible for qualitative changes proposed for the National Community.

Presently, UMSS is steadfastly committed to transcending its role as a mere producer of professionals. The university aims to expand its social mission, enhance its academic and scientific standing, and realize national and democratic objectives.

In 2018, the Universidad Mayor de San Simón achieved the top spot among Bolivian universities and ranked 2879th out of over 20,000 universities worldwide in the "Ranking Mundial de Universidades en la Web," solidifying its status as the country's premier public university at the time. This ranking was compiled by the Cybermetrics Lab of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC).

Renowned for its national academic prestige, UMSS continues to forge exceptional professionals for Bolivian society. The university's growth is driven by its student body, who consistently strive for excellence.

Academic and Administrative Units:

UMSS encompasses a variety of units and directions dedicated to diverse facets of academic and administrative functions, including:

• Program for Graduation of Non-Graduated Students, offering over 9 modalities for graduation
• Center for Higher University Studies
• Center for Aerospace Surveys and Geographic Information System Applications for Sustainable Natural Resource Development
• Population Study Centers
• Planning and Management Centers
• Honorable University Council
• University Faculty Federation
• Local University Federation (FUL)
• UMSS Radio San Simón 102.4
• UMSS Television (TVU), located on 25 de Mayo Street between Colombia and Heroínas, offering a range of live programs to serve the Cochabamba community

Faculties:

UMSS is organized into several esteemed faculties, each specializing in distinct areas of study:

• Faculty of Economic Sciences
• Faculty of Science and Technology
• Faculty of Humanities and Education Sciences
• Faculty of Juridical and Political Sciences
• Faculty of Architecture and Habitat Sciences
• Faculty of Agricultural and Livestock Sciences
• Faculty of Medicine
• Faculty of Dentistry
• Faculty of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Faculty of Politechnical Sciences of Valle Alto
• Faculty of Social Sciences
• Faculty of Rural and Territorial Development
• School of Forestry
• Faculty of Nursing
• Decentralized Unit of Sacta Valley
• Faculty of Veterinary Sciences

As a bastion of academic excellence, the Universidad Mayor de San Simón remains dedicated to its mission of shaping outstanding professionals, contributing to the advancement of knowledge, and nurturing the aspirations of Bolivian society. With a legacy spanning centuries, UMSS stands as a dynamic institution committed to intellectual growth, societal progress, and the empowerment of its diverse student body.