About:
One of the most prestigious higher education institutions in Mexico – Universidad de las Américas Puebla (UDLAP) – is located in Cholula, the oldest city in Latin America, whose magic is the result of a combination of art, culture, history, traditions, and modernity. UDLAP is only a two-hour drive from Mexico City, one of the most cosmopolitan and populated cities in the world, and 20 minutes from Puebla, a UNESCO world heritage city. Given its excellent geographic location, close to beaches, forests, and archeological centers, there are cultural, artistic, and recreational activities that enhance a student´s university experience.
UDLAP’s history begins with the Mexico City College, which was founded in 1940, laying the foundations for an international university. Now, with over 75 years of experience, it has become an excellent academic institution with over 70 licenciatura and graduate study programs in diverse areas. It offers a multicultural experience to its students, including the 55 nationalities represented on campus due to its exchange agreements with close to 40 countries.
Students from UDLAP receive a well-rounded education in which academic quality is guaranteed by a faculty – 99% of whom have graduate degrees – that has ample knowledge and experience. UDLAP’s faculty also devote time for research and artistic creation, and one of every three full time professors belongs to Mexico’s National Research System. UDLAP has only one campus that guarantees academic excellence and offers an integral experience to its students. The labs, library, computer rooms, and classrooms have the latest technology, allowing students to transform their theoretical knowledge into practice, thus strengthening their abilities and competencies.
Quality at UDLAP is backed by international accreditations, such as the one granted by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) since 1959. This accreditation has been ratified to its highest level, UDLAP being one of only two universities outside the United States to have a level 6, on a par with that country´s quality standards. The Civil, Industrial, Mechanical, and Mechatronic Engineering programs are accredited by the International Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). The Food Engineering program is accredited by the International Food Technology (IFT).
In Mexico, the Mexican Federation for Private Higher Education Institutions (Federación de Instituciones Mexicanas Particulares de Educación Superior - FIMPES) has given an outright accreditation to UDLAP, the highest possible recognition. Also, close to 100% of study programs that can be accredited have been or are in process of being accredited by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (Consejo para la Acreditación de la Educación Superior - COPAES).
Excellence at UDLAP has also translated into recognition in national rankings, such as in the one made by “El Universal”, a newspaper, in which it has been catalogued as one of the best private universities in Mexico since 2012. At an international level, UDLAP is the only one-campus university in Latin America to have 5 stars overall from QS Stars in 2017, earning 5 stars in teaching, internationalization, inclusion, infrastructure, and employability.
The success of UDLAP alumni is noticeable: 50% of them have started to work or started a business before graduation, and over 90% of graduates who choose to work have a job in the first 6 months. Art and culture are an essential part of UDLAP. The campus is on a former hacienda from the 18th century that houses a valuable art collection, part of the Google Art Project, thus becoming the only university in Latin America on this platform. In every given day of the year an UDLAP student has access to diverse cultural events. The sum of knowledge and activities at UDLAP means that 93% of students rate their university experience as satisfactory or very satisfactory, since university life allows them to form links with people of different ideologies, from different countries and cultures. Sports, integral wellbeing, art and culture are key elements at this institution. Likewise, the social commitment of this university means that over 80% of students with an outstanding academic record have some form of scholarship.