Universidad Nacional Experimental Marítima del Caribe

The Universidad Nacional Experimental Marítima del Caribe (UMC) is a public university in Venezuela, established on 7 July 2000 by decree of President Hugo Chávez. It is the only university in the country that trains maritime engineers and future third officers of the Venezuelan Merchant Marine. The institution also offers degrees in computer engineering, environmental engineering, administration, tourism, and a higher technical program in aquatic transport. Its main campus is located on Avenida El Ejército in Catia La Mar, Vargas state (now La Guaira state). UMC is the principal university in La Guaira state and the central coastal region, and the most important institution in Venezuela for maritime studies. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various fields and mentions. The university serves a student population of approximately 5,000, drawn mainly from Venezuela's Central Region, and also welcomes students from other countries. The university traces its historical roots to the early 19th century, when the idea of a nautical school was first proposed in Caracas. After several attempts, a Nautical School was approved in 1811 and began classes on 1 July 1811, but was destroyed by the earthquake of 26 March 1812. The modern UMC was created in 2000 as an experimental national university, continuing this maritime educational legacy. As a state-owned institution, UMC operates under the Venezuelan national university system and is funded by the government. Its academic offerings focus on maritime and related disciplines, preparing professionals for the merchant marine, port operations, environmental management, and information technology sectors. The university is a key contributor to Venezuela's maritime human capital and maintains a strong regional presence.

The history of maritime education in Venezuela, which ultimately led to the creation of the Universidad Nacional Experimental Marítima del Caribe (UMC), began in the early 19th century. On 10 May 1802, the second Royal Consul of Caracas, Francisco Javier de Longa, proposed to the Consulate's Governing Board that a Nautical School be established to instruct youth. The Consulate decided that it was not feasible to establish such a school at that time. Later, on 10 November 1809, Captain General Vicente Emparan, together with the commander of the naval station of Puerto Cabello, Juan, proposed to the Consulate the construction of a Nautical School similar to those founded by Spanish consulates. The revolution of 19 April 1810 ended the Spanish monarchical institutions in Venezuela and led to the expulsion of their officials; the Supreme Junta of Caracas was created. On 5 September 1810, the pilots of the naval station of Puerto Cabello, Juan Trujillo and Pedro Iglesias, asked the Supreme Junta of Caracas for permission to build a Nautical School in La Guaira. The request was passed to the Consulate, which studied the feasibility of founding the school and appointed councilors Sebastián Córdoba and Carranza to present the project for the creation of the Nautical School, whose objective would be to train pilots. On 14 January 1811, the Consulate approved the plan presented by Córdoba and Carranza, and on the 19th of the same month it was ratified by the Supreme Junta of Caracas. In May 1811, the Consulate determined that the installation of the School would be completed in June of that year and requested authorization to begin activities on 1 July 1811. The Supreme Executive approved the request, so the Consulate proceeded to publish the approval in the Gaceta de Caracas and in 100 notices from the printing press of Juan Bailía, which were distributed in the ports and cities of the provinces. The start of classes at the Nautical School was set for 1 July 1811. The Nautical School carried out its educational activities for eight months and 25 days, ending its functions in this first stage due to the destruction of its headquarters building caused by the earthquake of 26 March 1812. After this early attempt, maritime education in Venezuela evolved over the following centuries. The modern Universidad Nacional Experimental Marítima del Caribe was created on 7 July 2000 by decree of President Hugo Chávez. It was established as an experimental national university, a category in Venezuela for institutions with innovative academic structures. The university was founded to address the need for specialized maritime professionals, particularly maritime engineers and officers for the Venezuelan Merchant Marine. Since its founding, UMC has become the principal university in La Guaira state and the central coastal region, and the most important institution in the country for maritime studies. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in various disciplines, including maritime engineering, environmental engineering, computer engineering, business administration, tourism, and a higher technical program in aquatic transport. The university has a student population of approximately 5,000, primarily from Venezuela's Central Region, and also attracts students from other countries. Its main campus is located on Avenida El Ejército in Catia La Mar, Vargas state (now La Guaira state).

• 2000

  Universidad Nacional Experimental Marítima del Caribe created on 7 July 2000 by decree of President Hugo Chávez.

• 1812

  Nautical School destroyed by the earthquake of 26 March 1812.

• 1811

  Nautical School approved; classes begin on 1 July 1811.

• 1810

  Pilots Juan Trujillo and Pedro Iglesias request permission to build a Nautical School in La Guaira.

• 1809

  Captain General Vicente Emparan and Juan propose a Nautical School to the Consulate.

• 1802

  Francisco Javier de Longa proposes a Nautical School to the Consulate of Caracas.

Venezuela's only university for maritime engineering and merchant marine officer training; the leading maritime studies institution in the country.

• Ingeniería Marítima

  Undergraduate program training maritime engineers and future third officers of the Venezuelan Merchant Marine.

• Ingeniería Ambiental

  Undergraduate program in environmental engineering.

• Ingeniería en Informática

  Undergraduate program in computer engineering.

• Licenciatura en Administración

  Undergraduate degree in business administration.

• Licenciatura en Turismo

  Undergraduate degree in tourism.

• Técnico Superior Universitario en Transporte Acuático (PNF)

  Higher technical program in aquatic transport.

1. 1Wikidata entry for Universidad Nacional Experimental Marítima del Caribewikidata.org
2. 2Wikipedia (Spanish) article on Universidad Nacional Experimental Marítima del Caribees.wikipedia.org