Universidad Católica de Cuenca

Universidad Católica de Cuenca (UCACUE) is a private Catholic university based in Cuenca, Ecuador. It was founded in 1970 by the Catholic priest César Cordero Moscoso with the support of Manuel de Jesús Serrano Abad, then Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cuenca. The institution is rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition and operates as a private higher-education brand under the auspices of the local church. The university has expanded its presence beyond its home city through branch campuses in Morona Santiago (1973), Azogues (1980), and La Troncal and Cañar (1990). It serves over 11,000 students and organizes its academic offerings into seven faculties: Health and Welfare; Engineering, Industry and Construction; Administrative Sciences; Social Sciences; Information and Communication Technologies; Education Sciences; and Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Veterinary Medicine. Across these faculties, UCACUE delivers 23 university programs, 2 postgraduate programs, and 23 certificate courses. The main campus, known as the Humboldt campus, includes the university church La Santísima Trinidad, whose bell tower rises above the entrance portal. In 2009, the church was elevated to the rank of Basilica minor by Pope Benedict XV. The university's official website is ucacue.edu.ec, and it remains an active private institution in Ecuador's higher-education landscape.

Universidad Católica de Cuenca was established in 1970 by the Catholic priest César Cordero Moscoso, with the backing of Manuel de Jesús Serrano Abad, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cuenca. From its base in Cuenca, Ecuador, the university began to extend its reach regionally. In 1973, a branch was opened in Morona Santiago, followed by Azogues in 1980. A decade later, in 1990, further branches were established in La Troncal and Cañar. These expansions allowed the university to serve students across multiple provinces. Over the years, UCACUE developed a comprehensive academic structure. It now enrolls over 11,000 students and offers 23 university programs, 2 postgraduate programs, and 23 certificate courses through seven faculties: Health and Welfare; Engineering, Industry and Construction; Administrative Sciences; Social Sciences; Information and Communication Technologies; Education Sciences; and Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Veterinary Medicine. The main campus, the Humboldt campus, features the university church La Santísima Trinidad, which was elevated to a Basilica minor by Pope Benedict XV in 2009. The university continues to operate as a private Catholic institution, with its official website at ucacue.edu.ec.

• 2009

  University church La Santísima Trinidad elevated to Basilica minor by Pope Benedict XV.

• 1990

  Branches opened in La Troncal and Cañar.

• 1980

  Branch opened in Azogues.

• 1973

  Branch opened in Morona Santiago.

• 1970

  Founded by César Cordero Moscoso with support from Archbishop Manuel de Jesús Serrano Abad.

Private Catholic higher education institution in Ecuador

• Health and Welfare

• Engineering, Industry and Construction

• Administrative Sciences

• Social Sciences

• Information and Communication Technologies

• Education Sciences

• Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Veterinary Medicine

1. 1Wikidata entry for Universidad Católica de Cuencawikidata.org
2. 2German Wikipedia article on Universidad Católica de Cuencade.wikipedia.org