Universidad Nacional de Colombia

Year of foundation: Sept

Contact

www.unal.edu.co

Institutional postal address: Carrera 45 No. 26-85, Edificio Uriel Gutiérrez, Bogotá D.C., Colombia

City: Bogotá

Institutional e-mail: info@unal.edu.co

Institutional phone: +57 (601) 3165000 ext 18020

Mission / Vision

MISSION: To be the nation’s university that, as a center of culture and knowledge, educates well-rounded, responsible, and autonomous citizens, oriented to be agents of change with ethical and social awareness, capable of contributing to national development, drawing from the richness and diversity of the regions, and from a foundation of respect for difference and social inclusion. VISION: By the year 2034, we are the leading Colombian university, recognized for our contribution to the Nation and for our excellence in education, research, and social and technological innovation. Our ability to reinvent ourselves has led us to establish a novel, flexible, efficient, and sustainable academic and administrative organization, with transparent and effective communication within the institution, with the Nation, and with the world, committed to the social transformation processes required to achieve an equitable, inclusive, and peaceful society. (VISION)

Goals

• To contribute to national unity, in its role as a center of intellectual and cultural life open to all currents of thought and to all social, ethnic, regional, and local sectors. • To study and enrich the cultural, natural, and environmental heritage of the nation, and contribute to its conservation. • To critically assimilate and create knowledge in the advanced fields of science, technology, the arts, and philosophy. • To train professionals and researchers on a scientific, ethical, and humanistic basis, equipping them with a critical awareness that allows them to act responsibly in response to the needs and trends of the contemporary world, and to creatively lead processes of change. • To educate free citizens and promote democratic values, tolerance, and commitment to civic duties and human rights. • To promote the development of the national academic community and foster its international integration. • To study and analyze national problems and independently propose relevant formulations and solutions. • To provide support and advice to the State in scientific, technological, cultural, and artistic matters, with academic and research autonomy. • To share the benefits of its academic and research activities with the social sectors that make up the Colombian nation. • To contribute, through cooperation with other universities and State institutions, to the promotion and encouragement of access to quality higher education. • To encourage student integration and participation in achieving the goals of higher education.

Main activities

The Universidad Nacional de Colombia (UNAL) stands out for its impact on higher education, research, outreach, and its focus on social well-being and sustainable development by providing access to the common good of knowledge. Some of its main activities include: 1. Higher Education: It offers a wide range of academic programs, including undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degrees, in disciplines such as humanities and social sciences, arts, agricultural sciences, law and political science, economics and administrative sciences, health and life sciences, engineering, and exact and natural sciences. 2. Research: UNAL is recognized as one of the top institutions for research output in Colombia. The university has over 1,000 research groups, 594 of which are classified according to standards of quality, productivity, and scientific relevance. It develops projects in various areas such as humanities, science, technology, health, and sustainability, aiming to contribute to the resolution of social, national and international issues. 3. Outreach and Social Impact: Through its outreach projects, the university is committed to improving the living conditions of people in urban areas, rural regions, and local communities through programs focusing on inclusion, rural education, and peace initiatives, among many others. 4. Internationalization: UNAL participates in various academic networks and collaborates with universities and research centers worldwide to promote academic exchange and student mobility.