Autonomous University of Central America

The Universidad Autónoma de Centro América (UACA), known in English as the Autonomous University of Central America, is a private, non-profit university in Costa Rica. It opened its doors to students in 1976 as a foundation under Costa Rican law, and is widely recognized as the first private university in the country. The institution was co-founded by the philosopher José Guillermo Malavassi Vargas, who has served as its rector since 1976. Its main campus, named Sede J. Guillermo Malavassi V., is located in Cipreses, Curridabat, and is described by the university as one of the best campuses in the country. UACA offers a range of undergraduate professional programs. Its published course catalogue includes Derecho (Law), Educación Física y Deportes (Physical Education and Sports), Medicina (Medicine), Arquitectura (Architecture), Enfermería (Nursing), and Ingeniería de Sistemas (Systems Engineering). The university also operates a virtual campus, U Virtual, and maintains several regional sites: Central, Pacífico Sur, Caribe, Pacífico Norte, and Occidente. As a non-profit foundation, UACA is governed by its rectorate and guided by a stated vision of becoming an outstanding Costa Rican university in academics, research, and social outreach. Its mission emphasizes forming professionals within a framework of respect and freedom, disciplined in logical and creative thinking, with a supportive and humanist attitude. The university has established cooperation agreements with other institutions and is a co-founder of UNIRE, the association of rectors of Costa Rica's private universities. It publishes the academic journal Acta Académica. UACA's identity is closely tied to its founding rector, Guillermo Malavassi Vargas, a former Costa Rican Minister of Public Education and co-founder of the National University of Costa Rica's Faculty of Philosophy and Letters. The university's motto, attributed to Malavassi, is 'Hay que defender la libertad de enseñanza y con frecuencia sufrir por ella' ('One must defend freedom of teaching and often suffer for it').

The Universidad Autónoma de Centro América (UACA) was founded in 1975 and opened its doors to students in 1976 as a non-profit foundation under Costa Rican law. It holds the distinction of being the first private university in Costa Rica, a milestone in the country's higher education landscape. The institution was co-founded by José Guillermo Malavassi Vargas, a philosopher and former Minister of Public Education, who has served as its rector since 1976. Under his leadership, UACA established itself as a pioneer among private universities in the nation. From its early years, UACA developed a range of professional programs. Its main campus, named Sede J. Guillermo Malavassi V., is located in Cipreses, Curridabat, and is described by the university as one of the best campuses in the country. Over time, the university expanded its presence with additional sites: Central, Pacífico Sur, Caribe, Pacífico Norte, and Occidente. It also launched a virtual campus, U Virtual, to offer online access to its programs. UACA has been active in building alliances and cooperation agreements with other institutions. It is a co-founder of UNIRE (Asociación Unidad de Rectores de las Universidades Privadas de Costa Rica), the association of rectors of private universities, and its founding rector served as its first president. The university publishes the academic journal Acta Académica, edited by Malavassi. In recent years, UACA has continued to develop its infrastructure, including the inauguration of a Medical Specialties Clinic, and its rector has received public recognition for his leadership.

• 1976

  UACA opens its doors to students as Costa Rica's first private university; Guillermo Malavassi Vargas becomes rector.

• 1975

  UACA is founded.

• UACA co-founds UNIRE, the association of rectors of private universities in Costa Rica.

• Inauguration of the UACA Medical Specialties Clinic.

Costa Rica's pioneering private university, emphasizing academic excellence, freedom of teaching, and humanist values.

• Law (Derecho)

  Undergraduate program preparing professionals with tools for integration and interpretation in the legal field.

• Physical Education and Sports

  Program for graduates whose main field of action is physical education and sports.

• Medicine

  Program for students with a vocation for helping people and sensitivity.

• Architecture

  Program preparing architects with broad job prospects in the public and private sectors.

• Nursing

  Program offered by the School of Nursing, emphasizing comprehensive training.

• Systems Engineering

  Program providing high theoretical knowledge and strong practical training in systems topics.

1. 1Universidad Autónoma de Centro Américauaca.ac.cr
2. 2Universidad Autónoma de Centro América - UACAuaca.ac.cr
3. 3Rectoría - UACAuaca.ac.cr
4. 4Universidad Autónoma de Centro Américawikidata.org
5. 5Autonomous University of Central Americaen.wikipedia.org