Universidad de las Américas Puebla

The Universidad de las Américas Puebla, often called UDLAP, is a private university in San Andrés Cholula, close to the city of Puebla. It is well known for its strong programs in areas such as Finance, Arts, Humanities, Social sciences, Science, Engineering, Business, and Economics. Many people consider UDLAP to be one of the best universities in Latin America.

It has been recognized as the top private university with a single campus in Mexico by the newspaper El Universal. UDLAP is also one of only seven universities in Latin America to receive accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, which shows its high quality of education.

In addition to academics, UDLAP is proud of its sports teams, called the Aztecas. The university has achieved many successes in Mexican collegiate sports, making it a place where students can excel both in learning and in athletics.

History

The Universidad de las Américas, known as UDLAP, started in 1940 by Dr. Henry L. Cain and Dr. Paul V. Murray. It was first called Mexico City College and offered basic degrees in Arts and Sciences. Over the years, it grew and added more schools.

In the 1960s, the university changed its name to "University of the Americas" and moved to a new campus in San Andres Cholula, near Puebla. It kept growing, adding schools like Engineering and Business. By the 1990s, it built new labs and improved its technology. In the 2000s, it added programs in special areas like Nanotechnology and Culinary Arts, and started programs in Medicine, Odontology, and Nursing.

In 2011, the university opened a special place called the Capilla del Arte in the Historic Centre of Puebla. This building, built in an Art Nouveau style, is used for art shows, music, dance, theater, films, and literature, connecting the local community with students and artists.

Campus

The campus has 38 buildings spread over 180 acres, located about 12 miles west of Puebla's downtown and less than 2 miles south of Cholula's downtown. The buildings include classrooms, labs, dormitories, sports fields, gymnasiums, a library, a Student Center, an Auditorium, offices, and housing for professors. The campus was built on land that was once called the Hacienda de Santa Catarina Mártir.

Housing

The university has a special housing system, similar to some universities in the United States, inspired by Yale and Harvard. There are four residential colleges, each named after important people in the university's history: The Cain Murray, the Ray Lindley, the Ignacio Bernal, and the José Gaos colleges.

Academics

UDLAP offers many areas of study, including Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities, Engineering, Science, Business, and Economics. Over time, some schools have combined to give students a broader education.

The university also supports research, which is unusual for private universities in Mexico. Many professors are part of an important research group, and they help students join research projects early in their studies. UDLAP has produced many scientific publications.

UDLAP is highly respected. A study by the newspaper El Universal ranked it as the top private university in the Metropolitan area of Puebla. It is also one of the best private universities in all of Mexico, and employers rate it very highly.

Sports

Main article: Aztecas UDLAP

The sports teams at Universidad de las Américas are called the Aztecs. Their American football team has won three championships in the National League (ONEFA) and now plays in the Premier League of the CONADEIP. The university was chosen to host a special training school for young players from Real Madrid, which began on February 7, 2005. The men's basketball team from UDLAP won the championship in Puebla State in 2006.

Track & field

The most important athlete in track and field history is Herman Adam, a Mexican athlete born in Poza Rica on August 2, 1965. He competed in the Olympic Games in Seoul in 1988 and Barcelona in 1992, as well as the World Athletics Championship in Tokyo in 1991, and many other international events. He competed in the 100m, 200m, 400m, long jump, and the 4 × 100 m and 4 × 400 m relays. His record time of 10.39 seconds in the 100m at CONADEIP is still the world record.

UDLAP has teams that compete in national tournaments, including:

• Football
• Basketball
• Soccer
• Volleyball
• Track and field
• Tae Kwon Do

Accreditations

Besides being accredited by the Secretaría de Educación Pública, the Universidad de las Américas is also accredited by:

• SACS - Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
• ABET - Engineering Accreditation Commission
• IFT - Institute of Food Technologies
• FIMPES - Federación de Instituciones Mexicanas Particulares de Educación Superior
• CACEI - Consejo de Acreditación de la Enseñanza de la Ingeniería, A.C.
• ACCECISO - Asociación para la Acreditación y Certificación en Ciencias Sociales
• CONAET - Consejo Nacional para la Calidad de la Educación Turística A. C.
• CACECA - Consejo de Acreditación en la Enseñanza de la Contaduría y Administración
• CACEI - Consejo de Acreditación de la Enseñanza de la INgeniería, A.C.
• COMAEM - Consejo para la Acreditaciónb de la Educación Médica, A.C.
• COMAEF - Consejo Mexicano para la Educación Farmacéutica, A.C.
• CONAED - Consejo para la Acreditación de la Enseñanza en Derecho
• CNEIP - Consejo Nacional para la Enseñanza e Investigación en Psicología, A. C.
• ANPADEH - Acreditadora Nacional de Programas de Arquitectura y Disciplinas de Espacio Habitable A.C.
• CAESA - Consejo para la Acreditación de la Educación Superior de las Artes
• COMAPROD - Consejo Mexicano para la Acreditación de Programas de Diseño
• COAPEHUM - Consejo para la Acreditación de Programas Educativos en Humanidades

University facts

The Universidad de las Américas Puebla has around 763 teachers, with 44% working full-time. Over 8,000 students study there, and about 40% receive financial help from the university. Each year, many new students join, including some from other countries. The university also offers chances for students to study in over 300 universities across 30 different countries. Additionally, more than 1,000 students from around the world come to study at the university as exchange students.

Honoris Causa degrees

The Universidad de las Américas has given special honors to important people for their achievements. Some of these honors went to:

• Dr. William Richardson: Governor of New Mexico, United States
• Dr. José Julián Sidaoui: Deputy Governor of Bank of Mexico
• Dr. Mario Molina: Scientist and Nobel Prize Winner in Chemistry
• Dr. Enrique V. Iglesias: President of the Inter-American Development Bank

University activities

UDLAP has many fun events for students and people in the community. These include activities about learning, culture, and sports. Two times a year, UDLAP holds a special meeting called the Nobel Conference. Winners of the Nobel Prize come to share their stories and work.

The university also has museums like La Casa del Caballero Aguila and La Capilla del Arte UDLAP. These places host concerts, art shows, and talks. Since summer 2007, UDLAP has offered a special summer program for students in grades eight to ten through CTY.

Notable alumni

See also: Category:Universidad de las Américas Puebla alumni

The Universidad de las Américas Puebla has many successful graduates who have achieved important positions in various fields. While the full list of notable alumni is extensive, the university takes pride in the accomplishments of its former students who contribute to society in meaningful ways.

Notable faculty

Some well-known teachers and leaders have worked at Universidad de las Américas Puebla.

• Luis Ernesto Derbez was vice rector for academics in the 1980s
• Nora Lustig
• Roy R. Rubottom, Jr. was president from 1971 to 1973

See also: Category:Academic staff of Universidad de las Américas Puebla