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Education
of development. A group of Catholic parents
approached the government and the Society of
Jesuits with the intent of promoting the establishment
of a second university. They wanted an alternative to
the University of El Salvador to professionally train
the graduates of Catholic schools.
The original idea of the association of parents did
not progress, but the Society of Jesuits, who had for
years contemplated the possibility of establishing
a university, urged an alternative; the university
would be directed towards economic and social
development of the region. In this vision there was a
perception, not entirely clear, about the great social
injustices. The college founders chose the name and
symbol for freedom of José Simeón Cañas.
The University of El Salvador, who felt is monopoly of
higher education threatened, along with the political
opposition who supported the Catholic Group, was
opposed to the UCA. But the government also
wanted an alternative to the The University of El
Salvador and, therefore, supported the project and
in 1965 the first board of directors, composed of five
Jesuits, was officially inaugurated on September 15
and they began classes with 357 students on the
Don Rúa premises, provided by the Salesians, in
early 1966.
Very important facts of Salvadoran history have
happened at the UCA such as the murders of the
rector, Ignacio Ellacuría, the academic vice rector,
Ignacio Martín-Baro, the director of IDHUCA,
Segundo Montes, the director of the Library of
theology, Juan Ramón Moreno, a professor of
philosophy, Amando López, who also were teachers,
researchers and writers, together with another Jesuit,
Joaquín López, director of Fe y Alegría, and two
women, Elba and Celina Ramos on November 16,
1989, causing a huge impact on the university and
society. The work of the Jesuits and the UAC itself
has been recognized internationally with several
awards, including the Prince of Asturias Award (the
medal given to the best Spanish universities) and
several Honoris Causa doctorates along with medals
from various U.S. Universities.
Also, the UCA has signed a series of agreements
with other universities, some of which have been
very important, because they have facilitated the
exchange of professors. Today it is a modern
university which has a wide range of university
courses.
UNIVERSIDAD FRANCISCO GAVIDIA (UFG)
Mario Antonio Ruiz Ramírez
Rector
Alameda Roosevelt 3031, San Salvador
Tel: (+503) 2209 2800 /01
Fax: (+503) 2223 1707
info@ufg.edu.sv
www.ufg.edu.sv
Activity: university
Date of creation: 1981
Francisco Gavidia was a Salvadoran writer, educator,
historian and journalist. He is considered the founder
of Salvadoran literature. Gavidia fills a time and
marks a stage in Salvadoran history. He practiced all
literary genres, including poetry, theater, storytelling
and narration and in his honor the university that
bears his name was established.
University Francisco Gavidia of El Salvador is one
of the main universities of the country because of
the number of students. It is located in the city of
San Salvador, the capital of the country. Since the
day the university opened its doors to the first group
of students in 1981, the history of the institution
has not been written but is reflected in its published
work, in its academic trajectory, in its research
investment, in its contribution to society training
competent and responsible professionals as well as
its achievements through its social projection and its
commitment to needed disadvantaged areas of the
population.
An institutional path that covers a quarter century
of serving the nation with the greatest purpose: the
formation of human resources that are needed to
meet the challenges demanded by the economic
and social development of the country and the
region, in an environment of competitiveness whose
horizons are determined by contemporary scientific
and technological advances. This story has been
building as the evolution of events has scored points
or patterns of importance in the life of the UFG. The
most important periods cover cycles similar in length,
but different in meaning. During that timeline, the
first period is defined from 1981 to 1990, the second
includes the transition in the years 1990 to 1999 and
the third period starts in 2000 to the present.
UFG’s mission is to train competent and ethical
professionals, innovators, and entrepreneurs by
implementing a process of academic quality that wil
allowed them to thrive in a globalized world.