National University of San Marcos

Coordinates: 12°03′30″S 77°05′00″W / 12.05833°S 77.08333°W / -12.05833; -77.08333
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National University of San Marcos
Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos
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The National University of San Marcos (Spanish: Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, UNMSM) is a

privilege by Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor) and the oldest continuously operating university in the Americas,[12] which is why it appears in official documents and publications as "University of Peru, Dean University of the Americas".[13][14][15][16][17][18]

The university had its beginnings in the general studies that were offered in the cloisters of the convent of the Rosario of the order of Santo Domingo —current Basilica and Convent of Santo Domingo— around 1548. Its official foundation was conceived by Fray Thomas de San Martín on May 12, 1551; with the decree of Emperor Carlos I of Spain and V of the Holy Roman Empire, in 1571, it acquired the degree of pontifical granted by Pope Pius V with which it ended up being named as the "Royal and Pontifical University of the City of the Kings of Lima".[19][20] Being recognized by the Spanish Crown as the first university in America officially founded by Real cédula, it is also referred to as the "University of Lima" throughout the Viceroyalty.[21] Throughout its history, the university had a total of four colleges under tutelage: the Colegio Real y Mayor de San Martín and the Colegio Real y Mayor de San Felipe y San Marcos, the Real Colegio de San Carlos —focused on law and letters, derived from the merger of the two previous ones—and the Royal College of San Fernando—focused on medicine and surgery—. In the times of emancipation, it acquired a main role in the formation of several of the leaders managing the independence of Peru.[22] After the proclamation of independence and during the republic, it maintains both colloquially and formally —in various treaties and documents historical—its name as "University of Lima" until 1946, the year in which its current name and denomination as National and Major University were made official.[23]

The University of San Marcos is considered the most important and representative Peruvian institution of higher education for its "tradition, prestige, quality and selectivity",[24][25] being also recognized as the institution with the highest scientific production in Peru.[26][27][28][29]

It has positioned itself in the 1st place at the national level in certain editions of various university rankings,[citation needed] such as in the first University Ranking of Peru prepared by the National Assembly of Rectors of Peru under the auspices of UNESCO in 2006,[24] in the University Rankings by Academic Performance of the URAP Center,[30][31][32][33] in various editions of the QS World University Rankings by Quacquarelli Simonds,[34][35][36][37][38] in the Web Rankings of Universities prepared by CSIC and known as Webometrics, in the University Web Rankings by 4ICU,[39][40][41][42] in the University Web Rankings by 4ICU,[43][44] and in the SIR World Reports by SCImago Research Center;[30][31][32][33] being together with the UPCH (created by professors from the Faculty of Medicine of San Marcos) and the PUCP (whose founder and benefactor was a San Marcos graduate), one of the only three Peruvian universities that have appeared in such a position, as well as the only public one to do so. In addition, it has a ten-year institutional license granted by the National Superintendence of Higher University Education (SUNEDU) and some international institutional accreditations that certify its academic and administrative quality.[45] In terms of research, according to information from the Scopus database, the University of San Marcos is to date the 1st Peruvian institution in the production of scientific articles, both annually and historically.[46][47] Various influential Peruvians and Latin Americans have come out of its classrooms,[48] all recognizing and valuing the high level of teaching and the active and important intellectual participation that the university and its students had throughout the history of Peru.[49] The University of San Marcos has been referred to many times as a reflection of Peru for expressing the advances and limitations that the country eventually has, in addition to the valued diversity, preparation and activism of its students.[50][51] Twenty-one Presidents of the Republic of Peru,[citation needed] five Peruvian candidates for Nobel Prizes of Physics, Literature and Peace[52] —of the total of six Peruvians nominated between 1901 and 1964, the only period currently published by the Norwegian Committee— and the only Peruvian Nobel Prize winner, Mario Vargas Llosa,[53][54][55][56][57]— they have been graduates, researchers and/or professors of this university.

In its 471 years of operation, the University of San Marcos has passed through several locations, of which it maintains and stands out: the "Casona de San Marcos", a historic location of the university with more than 400 years of history —part of the area and of the list of buildings in the Historic Center of Lima that were recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988[58][59][60][61]—and that are currently the venue for the main cultural activities and the granting of high degrees by the university; the current premises of the "San Fernando" Faculty of Medicine, inaugurated in 1901 for the first medical school in the country; and the so-called "University City", which has been its main headquarters since 1960, where most of the faculties, the central library, the university stadium and the rectory are located, and most of the academic and research activities are carried out. All these premises are located in the Cercado de Lima. The University of San Marcos currently has 66 professional schools,[62] grouped into 20 faculties,[63] and these in turn in 5 academic areas,[64] being the Peruvian university that covers the largest number of university subjects. All faculties offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. It also has various centers, institutions, and dependencies; such as its cultural centers, museums, libraries, clinics, and university clinics, editorial fund, among others. In addition, through its "Domingo Angulo" historical archive, the university preserves documents and writings of great historical relevance dating from the 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. In 2019, the "Colonial Fund and Foundational Documents of the National University of San Marcos: 1551–1852” was incorporated into the UNESCO Memory of the World Register, in recognition of its significance for the global collective memory.[65][66]

History

Óleo referente a la fundación de la Universidad de San Marcos, oficialmente la primera universidad del Perú y de América, y a su gestor fray Tomás de San Martín.
Oil referring to the founding of the University of San Marcos, officially the first university in Peru and America, and its manager Fray Tomás de San Martín.

The origin of the National University of San Marcos is also the origin of higher education in Peru and the Americas, which dates back to the General Studies carried out in the cloisters of the Convent of the Rosario of the Order of Santo Domingo—current Basilica and Convento de Santo Domingo—, near the Plaza de Armas in Lima around 1548, whose main objective was to satisfy the needs of the training and education of the clergy in the new territory conquered by the Spanish Empire. Subsequently, the Lima town council would send Fray Tomás de San Martín and Captain Juan Jerónimo de Aliaga to Spain, who —largely thanks to the efforts of the former— obtained the founding order of the university from Emperor Carlos I of Spain. and V of the Holy Roman Empire and Queen Juana I of Castile, daughter of the Catholic Monarchs, through the Royal Provision issued on May 12, 1551, in Valladolid. In this way, the foundation of the Royal University of the City of Kings, also referred to as the Royal University of Lima, was officially carried out.[67][68] The reading also of the Royal Certificate, which officially authorizes the operation of the "University of Lima", indicates as a mission: "indoctrinate the residents of these lands in the Christian faith and submission to the King." With this principle, the university began to function officially on January 2, 1553, in the Chapter House of the Convent of Our Lady of the Rosary of the Order of Santo Domingo, under the direction of its first rector Fray Juan Bautista de la Roca; the initial chair was taught by Andrés Cianca and Corona Cosme Carrillo, under the supervision of the rector.[69]

The chapter house in the Convent of the Rosario of the Dominicans, where the University of San Marcos began to function.

The orientation, in principle strictly monastic, as well as the exclusivism and conservation of the Dominicans, and the continuous decrease in members of other congregations, gave rise to the Dominicans losing predominance and also generated a reaction on the part of lay teachers; the demand for greater openness led them to ask the Royal Court for compliance with the

Royal decree of 1570, which provided for a free election of the rector by the teachers of the cloister. The claim fell on Viceroy Francisco Álvarez de Toledo who favored and ended the claim with the election of Pedro Fernández de Valenzuela on May 11, 1571, the first lay rector, and the significant change in the orientation of the university. The official status of the university is reaffirmed by the papal bull Exponi Nobis of Saint Pius V of July 25, 1571, after receiving the Royal Pass from the Council of the Indies; in it he avoided the ecclesiastical courts by declaring that "it absolves friars, readers, teachers, students and any of you from any and all censures, sentences and ecclesiastical penalties, for any reason and cause contracted", likewise the university acquires with this bull its pontifical degree, which is why it is renamed the Royal and Pontifical University of the City of the Kings of Lima. Produced this first reform, the university moved to its second location, near the outskirts of San Marcelo, where the Convent of the Order of Saint Augustine had previously operated.[67] On September 6, 1574, the official name of the university was chosen by lot —among the names of the four evangelists—, finally resulting in the official name of Royal and Pontifical University of San Marcos (Saint Mark), and therefore Mark the Evangelist as the patron saint of the University.[68] In 1575, the university changes its establishment again and is located in the old Plaza del Estanque, later called Plaza de la Inquisición, where the building of the Congress of Peru is currently located,[20] place where it would continue its operation throughout the time of the Viceroyalty of Peru.[69]

Engraving of the old facade of the place where the University of San Marcos worked throughout the viceroyalty, later this place would be ceded to the Congress of the Republic of Peru.

The officially named University of San Marcos, then also known as the "University of Lima", began its work in the viceregal era with the faculties of Theology and Arts,[70] later the canons of Law and Medicine would be created, however in the academic field the norms that governed in Spain were adopted, that is to say, it began its functions with the teaching of Philosophy as the basis for any other higher study. On July 7, 1579, the «Chair of the General Language of the Indians» was established for the study of the most widespread family of Andean languages among the natives during the Inca Empire and the Viceroyalty of Peru: Quechua; its first professor was Juan de Balboa.[71] On November 27, 1579, the professors asked King Philip II for the institution of jurisdiction that governed the University of Salamanca, a medieval legal figure —an antecedent of the current university autonomy— that empowered the rector so that, with the exclusion of the ordinary courts, had civil and criminal jurisdiction over the members of the faculty. In 1581, and after the absolute presence of lay rectors between 1571 and 1581, Viceroy Francisco Álvarez de Toledo authorized clerics and laymen could be elected; Thus, both sectors alternately governed the University of San Marcos, during the colonial period, until 1820.[72]

Welcome mural of the National University of San Marcos, it mentions the date of its official foundation by royal decree: May 12, 1551.

The support for the secularization of the University of San Marcos given by Viceroy Francisco Álvarez de Toledo and for the institution of the jurisdiction exercised by its rector, and also exercised by the rector of the

Ferdinand VII of Spain, in Plaza de Santa Ana —today Plaza Italia— in the premises occupied by the Ministry of Government, the faculty was formed based on the College of Medicine of the same name that was located in the Plaza del Estanque.[74]
Throughout its history, the university had a total of four colleges under its tutelage: the Colegio Real y Mayor de San Martín and the Colegio Real y Mayor de San Felipe y San Marcos, the Real Colegio de San Carlos —focused on law and letters, derived from the merger of the two previous ones—and the Royal College of San Fernando—focused on medicine and surgery—.

The First Constituent Congress of Peru, was chaired by Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza and held in the chapel of the University of San Marcos on September 20, 1822.

In the times of emancipation, the university acquires a main role in the formation of several of the main managing leaders of the independence of Peru.[22] From the legal point of view in relation to property, the University of San Marcos, which belonged to the monarchical State, became part of the young Republic of Peru since its independence in 1821. The First Constituent Congress of Peru, which defined the new Peruvian Republic as a reality and as a project, was initially chaired by the former rector of the University of San Marcos, Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza; Of the 64 constituent deputies, 54 were San Marcos' alumnus and Carolines'; and the place where this great assembly met was the Chapel of the University of San Marcos.[68][75] Today, the Congress of the Republic of Peru continues to function in that same location. In 1822 the university hands over its collection of 50,000 books to form the newly founded National Library of Peru. In 1840, the Colleges of San Carlos and San Fernando are taken over by the University of San Marcos. During the government of Ramón Castilla, San Marcos was officially empowered by the president to approve new universities and control the newly created ones.[73] Throughout the 19th century, the premises of the University of San Marcos abandoned its academic functions, becoming more regular as a space for meetings of the Chamber of Deputies and the Congress of the Republic. The absence of care and the partial abandonment of their university functions led to a gradual deterioration of their environments. It is in this context of the end of the 19th century that the university completely donates its premises to the then still young Congress of the Republic of Peru.[68]

Local of the University of San Marcos at the beginning of the 20th century, the so-called Casona de San Marcos is currently the Cultural Center of San Marcos.

The exponential growth of the city during the industrial revolution of the 19th century, in addition to the efforts of the then

Arequipa and Cusco. During the War of the Pacific and specifically during the occupation of Lima by Chilean troops, art and cultural objects and assets were taken from the university in order to be taken to Chile by sea.[68] At the end of the 19th century, the “San Fernando" Faculty of Medicine, which was located in a building in the old Plaza de Santa Ana —today Plaza Italia—, moved to its current location in the Orchard of Mestas, that of the historic premises on Avenida Grau, Barrios Altos in the historic center of Lima.[74] Once the war ended, by law of 1901 it is stated that Peruvian university education corresponds to the National University of San Marcos and the minor universities of Trujillo, Cusco, and Arequipa, which were later joined by the Catholic University of Lima and technical schools.[73]

During the 20th century, the students of the University of San Marcos had an active participation in the intellectual, political, and social events of Peru. In the photo: President Augusto Leguía after a speech at the university.

At the beginning of the 20th century, university activists promoted a reform within the University of San Marcos; this effort transcended the limits of the university and became a reflection of a great social movement in Peru.[69] The university reform planned access to education for the middle and popular classes, which until then had a minority presence in San Marcos. These ideals began a long tradition of student activism at the university and altered the Peruvian political landscape. In 1909 the students of the University of San Marcos had active participation in protests against the Peruvian dictatorial governments. In 1916 the Federation of Students of Peru (FEP) was established, led mainly by students from San Marcos. The FEP's demands included university reforms such as updating curricula, removing untrained faculty and eliminating Peruvian government interference in the university. During the government of President Augusto Leguía, the university educational system was reorganized and university autonomy was granted.[76] In 1928, Herbert Hoover, 31st President of the United States, visited Peru. In his speech during the banquet offered by Peruvian President Augusto B. Leguía, the American president highlighted Lima as a "center of civilization" and the Major University of San Marcos as the "dean of knowledge".[77]

American president to resign due to the Watergate scandal
.

From the colonial era, through independence and the republic until 1946, the university was referred to both colloquially and formally —in various treaties and historical documents— as "University of Lima";[68] that year its name was made official as the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, a name that remains to this day. Between the 1950s and 1960s, the influx of more middle-class students at the University of San Marcos led the government to emphasize and create scientific and university research areas. In 1951, as a commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the founding of the University of San Marcos, the university acquires a new piece of land to build the new University City, where the Stadium of the University of San Marcos was inaugurated that same year. On the occasion of the quadricentennial, a ceremony was also held that brought together the rectors of the main Ibero-American universities, who decided to give her the title and recognition of "Dean of America". Due to this —and also given its primacy in the country— the university has since retained the names of the University of Peru and the Dean of the Americas.[6] In 1958, a significant incident occurs during the visit of then Vice President Richard Nixon,[78][79][80] who would later become the 37th president of the United States and also the first president to resign after the Watergate scandal. Nixon had scheduled a conference at the University of San Marcos as part of his visit to Latin America, however, this did not take place due to the protest of San Marcos, who spoke out against US policy in the region with phrases such as: Nixon, Go Home!.[81][82][83] Given the incident, the conference was transferred to the Catholic University of Lima, where Nixon had a particularly bad reception.[79]

Mural dedicated to the foundation and history of the National University of San Marcos, located in the headquarters of the "Jorge Basadre" rectorate. Made by the Peruvian muralist Domingo Huamán Peñaloza.

In the mid-1960s, due to the need for even more space, several faculties of the university began to move to the Ciudad Universitaria site, where 17 of the 20 faculties of the university are currently located.[84] This new campus is located in an area that housed archaeological complexes of the Maranga Culture, these were restored and protected —as in the case of Huaca San Marcos—, after having been partially destroyed during the construction of Av. Venezuela in the 1940s. In 1969, the system of organization by academic departments —today academic schools— was also introduced.[85] On September 22, 1984, the current statute of the university was promulgated. With nearly 40,000 students and more than 4,000 faculty, the university offers undergraduate studies in 65 areas, master's degrees in 77, and doctorates in 27, making it the largest academic offer in the country today. It currently has 20 faculties grouped into 6 main blocks, its academic departments publish several specialized journals and it operates 3 important museums in Lima as well as research institutes.[86][87] According to UNESCO criteria and indicators, the University of San Marcos is the only university in Peru that covers the various areas of knowledge such as pure sciences, human sciences, historical-social sciences, health sciences, economic-business sciences, and techniques and engineering.[6][88]

Currently, despite the budget limitations in the Peruvian university system, the University of San Marcos is considered the most important and representative Peruvian institution of higher education due to its "tradition, prestige, quality, and admission selectivity", being also recognized as the institution with the highest scientific production in Peru.[24][25]

It has been considered the best in Peru according to university rankings such as that of the National Assembly of Rectors of Peru in 2006, which was sponsored by UNESCO,[24] the 2010, 2011 and 2012 University Ranking by Academic Performance[30][31][32] produced by the URAP Center, the 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 of the QS World University Rankings,[34][35][37][36] the SIR World Report prepared by SCImago Research Center in 2009, 2010 and 2011; the 2020 and 2022 Scopus national scientific production ranking,[89][90] the University Web Ranking by 4ICU of 2015 and 2016,[43][44] and the world ranking of Webometrics universities of the Spanish National Research Council for 2011-I, 2012-I, and 2021,[39][40][41][91][92][93] in which it was located in the 1st place.

In addition, it has a 10-year institutional license granted by the National Superintendence of Higher University Education (SUNEDU) and international institutional accreditations that certify its academic and administrative quality.[45]

The Peruvian writer Mario Vargas Llosa, Nobel Prize for Literature 2010. In 2011, his alma mater distinguished him with the highest decoration: the San Marcos Medal of Honor in the degree of Grand Cross.

Different influential Peruvians and Latin Americans have left their classrooms;[48] all acknowledging and valuing the high level of teaching of the university as the main educational entity in the country, as well as highlighting the active and important intellectual participation that the university and its students had throughout the history of Peru.[49] The University of San Marcos has been referred to many times as a reflection of Peru for having manifested and been part of the limitations and problems that eventually affected the country, however, the diversity and preparation of its students is recognized.[94]

In 2010, the Nobel Prize was awarded to a Peruvian for the first time, Mario Vargas Llosa, was awarded this distinction.[53][54] Vargas Llosa is one of the most illustrious students that the University of San Marcos has had,[95][96][97][55][56][57] in this sense, the university awarded him the title of Doctor honoris causa in 2001. As a tribute for obtaining the Nobel Prize, on March 30, 2011, within the framework of the celebrations for its 460th anniversary, the University of San Marcos distinguished Vargas Llosa with his highest decoration: the San Marcos Medal of Honor in the degree of Grand Cross; He also created a chair that bears his name and opened a museum room about the writer and his years in his alma mater. The ceremony was held in the "Casona de San Marcos" and was attended by intellectuals from San Marcos who have also been colleagues, friends and teachers of Vargas Llosa.[98][99][100][101][102][103][104][105] In 2018, the Meritorious Society Founders of Independence recognized the National University of San Marcos as a Meritorious institution by virtue of its participation, value, and historical significance in the construction and defense of Peru, also placing the university's banner in the Hall of the Heroes.[106] In 2019, the university awards, for the first time in its modern history, a doctoral degree based on a thesis written and defended entirely in Quechua, thus marking a historic milestone for the development of research in Native American languages in the country and the region.[107][108][109][110][111][112]

About the importance of the University of San Marcos in the history of Peru and America, the Liberator Simón Bolívar said the day he received the degree of Doctor Honoris Causa:[75]

«Gentlemen, when I stepped on the threshold of this Sanctuary of Sciences, I felt overwhelmed with respect and fear and seeing myself in the very heart of the wise men of the famous University of San Marcos, I see myself humiliated among aged men in the tasks of deep and useful meditations and elevated with such justice to the high rank they occupy in the scientific world. Naked of knowledge and without any merit, your kindness freely decorates me with a distinction that is the end and the reward of whole years of continuous studies. Gentlemen: I will forever mark this beautiful day of my life. I will never forget that I belong to the wise Academy of San Marcos. I will try to approach its worthy members, and as many minutes as I have after completing the duties to which I am contracted for now, I will use them in making efforts to reach, if not the summit of the sciences in which you find yourselves, at least in imitating you.»

— Simón Bolívar

About the importance of the University of San Marcos as the oldest Pan American university institution, Albert Einstein expressed when receiving the degree of Doctor Honoris Causa in the framework of the 400th anniversary of the university commemorated in 1951:[113][114][115][116][117]

Einstein to San Marcos
Images
image icon Manuscript in german by Albert Einstein in gratitude to the UNMSM (courtesy: HUJI)
Audio
audio icon Audio of Albert Einstein in gratitude to the UNMSM (courtesy: HUJI)

«It is a great pleasure for me to give my heartfelt thanks to my colleagues at the University of San Marcos for the distinction they have awarded me. Your action shows that the oldest American institution of higher education has preserved the supra-national character of the University. Now more than ever we have reason to appreciate this spirit. The institution of the university is based on the idea of the universality of the research domain, striving to obtain truths free of extraneous purposes, intentions, or prejudices; striving for the universality of spirit without restrictions for national or political reasons, of another kind. In short, what matters is striving for the universality of mind and spirit. It is no secret that we have been much more successful in developing the mind than in developing the personality. Apparently, even the quest for knowledge is threatened by the lack of people of the truly universal spirit. If universities remain faithful to their fundamental mission, they can contribute significantly to the solution of the crises that threaten us today."

— Albert Einstein

About the importance of the University of San Marcos, Mario Vargas Llosa, Nobel Prize for Literature 2010, said the day he was decorated by his alma mater:[105]

«The San Marcos years were fundamental for me from an intellectual point of view, from my literary training and also from my civic training. I have never regretted having entered the University of San Marcos and having spent six years here. [...] San Marcos had been throughout its history a dissatisfied, rebellious institution, where they had dreamed of a different future for our country. It must not be forgotten that the great intellectual figures of Peru have come out of this university, figures that both in the scientific domains and in the humanities have represented the cream of our country. [...] San Marcos is an ancient institution, as Arguedas said, antiquity is a value, and one of the Peruvian values is this university, the oldest in America, always a focus on extraordinary science, intellectual work, research, creation, and also an institution that has fought incessantly for freedom, for a better world than the one we have, for a world of greater equality, of greater opportunities, of greater tolerance, a world without violence, without repression, a world that is somehow equal to the best things that our country has given throughout history.»

— Mario Vargas Llosa
View of the main square of the University City; on the left side is the "Jorge Basadre" rectorate; on the right side the University Library; in the center the monument of Fray Tomás de San Martín.
View of the Cultural Center of the National University of San Marcos; on the left side is the University Park, the German Tower, and monuments of illustrious San Marcos; on the right side the historic Casona de San Marcos and the Panteón de los Próceres.
View of the central patio of the "San Fernando" campus of the University of San Marcos; in the back, there is the main entrance to the university auditorium; in the center the monument to Hipólito Unanue, founder of the university's medical school.

The first and oldest university in America

Royal Decree in which Emperor Carlos V authorized the official creation of the first university in America on May 12, 1551: the University of San Marcos, then the Royal University of Lima.

The National University of San Marcos, founded on May 12, 1551, is the oldest university in the Americas, being the university that has been in continuous operation for the longest time since its foundation, and the only one of the American universities founded during the 16th century. to remain in operation without permanent closure from then to the present.[20][73][118] The continuous operation is relevant when observing the cases of several universities founded in the colonial era that were finally closed during the Spanish-American wars of independence or due to internal conflicts. Due to its age and continuity, and on the occasion of the four hundredth anniversary of its foundation, in 1951 a ceremony was held that brought together the rectors of the main Ibero-American universities, who decided to give it the title and recognition of "Dean of the Americas".[49]

Regarding the primacy of a university in America, there are two universities that can receive this distinction:

  • The National University of San Marcos, which was the first university founded by Royal Provision and authorized by Royal Decree in America, on May 12, 1551. This implies that it was the first university officially and solemnly constituted by the Spanish Crown in America, that is, fulfilling all the royal and canonical formalities required at the time.[49] The General Archive of the Indies, which has documents from the Spanish colonial period between the 16th and 18th centuries, does not contain official documents prior to 1551 that recognize a university or institution of higher education prior to the University of San Marcos.[20]
  • The
    Mexico and others in the Americas.[13] Centuries later, the University of Santo Tomás de Aquino would be closed at the beginning of the 19th century due to internal wars in the Dominican Republic.[119][120]
Real Cédula
.

It is important to mention that both the University of San Marcos and the University of Santo Tomás de Aquino —and by extension the Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico— began to function as general studies and to deliver degrees on undetermined dates before becoming official as universities, the reason for which it is necessary for historians to establish starting points for the origin of the first universities in America, these being the documents with which the foundation of each university was authorized. The legal and real validity of each document remains in debate, as well as the results of future historical-legal research on the emergence of the university and higher education in America.

University symbols

Since its foundation in 1551, the University of San Marcos has had various institutional symbols, among which the following stand out:[121]

  • Emblem: Since its foundation until 1574, the first official shield showed an image of the
    Virgen del Rosario, considered the patron saint of the Dominican friars; on the right, a representation of the Pacific Ocean and below a lime —fruit, referring to the city of Lima—. The coat of arms was approved by King Carlos I of Spain in 1551. By the end of 1570, after the papal bull of Pius V, the coat of arms was modified, replacing the image of the Virgen del Rosario with that of the new patron of the university, the apostle Saint Mark and the Lion. The colors that were used in that coat of arms are ignored since the documents in the century were only black and white. It was not until 1929 that the colors: blue for the ocean, black or brown for the image of the saint, light blue for the background, and silver for the columns, became widespread. The second original shield with the image of San Marcos has been the longest-lasting symbol of the university: it was used for almost four hundred years. In 1929 the original colors mentioned in the ancient texts were officially introduced: blue for the ocean, black or brown for the image of the saint, light blue for the background, and silver for the columns, etc. This last update of the shield is the one that is used today, following a tradition that dates back to the middle of the century. Below is the original description given on the shield by the Constitution of the University of San Marcos of 1578:[122]
Flag of the University of San Marcos, the emblem represents the institution, and the white background the variety of academic colors of each faculty.

«Firstly, it is established and ordered that this university have a major and minor seal with which to seal the titles of the graduates in it and the editions and letters, which are in the power of the rector who may be, in a small box under two keys that the one have the rector and the other the secretary because nothing can be sealed without both. [...] And have said seals have the arms and insignia of this university sculpted in such a way that they can be printed on what is to be sealed, which is a coat of arms placed in a partition divided from top to bottom and that on the bottom it does a cornet in the manner of the royal arms in which the garanada is, in which there is a file on the right side in the middle of the shield there will be a San Marcos writing and the lion together with him who is patron of this university, chosen by luck among many other saints and doctors of the church, and in the other half of the left hand, there will be the sea below and from it the two columns with the plux ultra that are the emblem of the new world and on top of them the three crowns and the star of the wise men, which are the arms of this city, and on top of the entire shield, this is a laureate head, with a garland, from which two cornucopias come out of the mouth on each side the tunic, the size of the top of the shield and around it is a letter saying: Academia Sancti Marci Urbis Regum in Peru; in gothic letters.»

UNMSM anthem
Adelante San Marcos glorioso
adelante tú siempre estarás,
porque nadie ha podido vencerte
y jamás nadie te vencerá. (bis)
Es tu nombre un timbre de orgullo
Tradición de nobleza y de honor,
Siempre grande, siempre limpia
tu bandera muy alto estará.
Sanmarquinos unidos por siempre
en tan grande y profunda misión,
levantemos muy alto la frente
Convencidos de nuestro valor.
  • Flag: In ancient manuscripts there are references to an official banner of the University of San Marcos, it was indicated that it was composed of the university's major shield centered on a white background; this description gave rise to the appearance of banners and flags of the university that followed these patterns during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. During the 20th century, concern arose to formalize the use of a single institutional flag for the university. Although the use of a white flag with the shield of the university in the center had already been generalized, its use was recently made official through a rectoral resolution on June 14, 2010, indicating that for historical reasons it was decided to place the official emblem: shield of the university, on a white background that contains all the chromatic possibilities of the light spectrum, referring to the variety of colors that individually distinguish each faculty in academic and sports activities.[123]
  • Anthem: The university anthem is regularly performed at special ceremonies and anniversaries of the University of San Marcos, mainly by the University Choir. The lyrics of the anthem were composed by Manuel Tarazona Camacho and the music by Luis Craff Zevallos.[121]

The National University of San Marcos also mentions other symbolic documents for the university. Among them are the Royal Certificate by which King Carlos I of Spain authorized the foundation of the university in 1551, and the Quipu found in the Huaca San Marcos, both remain in the custody of the university as documents and materials of high historical value.[121]

Administration and organization

Government

Chronological Series of the 214 Rectors of the University of San Marcos[124]
1551 – 1571
1571 – 1600
1600 – 1700
1700 – 1822
1822 – 1905
1905 – 1966
1966 – 2022

The University of San Marcos was originally governed by clerics of monastic orders; during the Age of Enlightenment, the Bourbon Reforms transformed it into a secular institution, which continues to this day.

Central headquarters of the "Jorge Basadre" rectorate, where the main administrative activity of the University of San Marcos is carried out.

Currently, the governing bodies of the university are:

  • University Assembly: It is the highest governing body in the university.[125] It is made up of the rector and the two vice-rectors, the deans of the faculties, the director of the graduate school, representatives of the teachers, and representatives of the students —which constitute a third of the total number of members of the assembly—, representatives of the graduates, and the president of the Federation of students of the University of San Marcos with the right to speak, without a vote. Administrative officials of the highest level can also attend the assembly, when they are required as advisors, without the right to vote.[125] The main attributions of the university assembly are: the modification of the statute of the university, requiring in such case the majority of its capable members; approval of the General Plan for the development and operation of the university and carry out its evaluation annually; pronounce and intervene in matters of general interest of the university and in special cases requested by the university council; in the same way, it is in charge of the election of the rector and vice-rectors, as well as declaring the vacancy of these positions.[125]
  • University Council: It is the body in charge of the direction and execution of the university.[126] It is made up of the rector —who chairs it—, the two vice-rectors, the deans of the faculties, the director of the graduate school, student representatives —a third of the total number of council members—, a representative of the graduates and the president of the Federation of students with the right to speak, without a vote. Just as in the university assembly, administrative officials of the highest level can attend the council when they are required as advisers, without the right to vote.[126] The powers of the council are: to formulate the general plan for the development and operation of the university, as well as to establish its policies; formulate and approve the general regulations of the university, the election regulations and other special regulations and present them to the university assembly for its ratification, confer academic degrees and professional titles approved by the faculties, grant honorary distinctions, recognize and revalidate studies and recognize degrees and titles from foreign universities when the university is authorized to do so.[126]
  • Rectorate: The Rectorate is the university's governing body consisting mainly of the Rector. The rector is the first executive authority of the university, as well as its legal representative and its institutional image. The University of San Marcos has had 216 rectors since its foundation, various characters have assumed the rectorship of the university throughout the viceregal and republican era of Peru, so the rector magnificus is also a symbol of institutional continuity since the foundation. until the present. The current rector is Mrs. Jeri Ramón Ruffner, a certified public accountant, who is also the first woman elected to this institutional position.[124]
  • Vice-Rectorate: It is made up of two vice-rectors: one undergraduate academic and the other for research and postgraduate. The current ones in charge are Carlos Carranza and José Niño[127][128]

The government and administration of the faculties and schools are in charge of the Deans and the School Directors, respectively.[129] In addition, the postgraduate units of each faculty are in charge of their respective directors, with the Director of the Graduate School as the general director.[130]

Academics

Admission

Admission for undergraduate studies is mainly through an

entrance examination. Although there are ways to carry out a special exam in the case of transfers, foreigners, first places in schools, and for the disabled, the most required type of exam is the ordinary one that is carried out twice a year: in March and in September. The entrance exam of the National University of San Marcos is considered the most rigorous admission exam for undergraduate studies in Peru, being statistically the most selective at the national level; This is mainly due to its difficulty and the large number of applicants that the university has. Precisely, this is expressed in the very strong competition that is generated in the admission of new students, with approximately 60,000 applicants per year for around 6,000 vacancies —divided into two admission processes: March and September, and which includes applicants who take the ordinary general exam and/or the pre-university center exam—, the selectivity ratio in admission being approximately 10%. Since 2016, the new evaluation method for each admission contest is the application of the cognitive skills test to the applicants (Test DECO®), which seeks that the applicants demonstrate ability and critical reasoning, before theorizing and memorizing when responding to different topics evaluated. It consists of an evaluation of 100 questions −30 of skills (5 in English language) and 70 of knowledge- which lasts three hours.[131][132] In the case of postgraduate studies, both for master's degrees, specializations and doctorates, admission is made through enrollment in the Postgraduate School of the University of San Marcos. As there are a limited number of vacancies, an admission exam is carried out that is prepared and graded by a special jury according to the area of study to which it is applied. There is also high competition in this process. In 2020, after the suspension of the first admission exam on March 12, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and after spending more than 6 months without applying it,[133] the University Council decided to approve the application of the online admission exam, being the first of its kind in the history of the university, on October 2 and 3 of that same year.[134]

Faculties

The University of San Marcos has 20 faculties grouped into 5 academic areas, in which 65 undergraduate programs, 77 master's degrees, and 27 doctorates are offered; Thus, it is the university with the largest number of study programs, both for undergraduate and postgraduate courses, in Peru. Currently, the organization of the university by academic areas is supervised by its Undergraduate Academic Vice-rectorate.

Health Sciences

Interior of the main building of the campus of the Faculty of Medicine "San Fernando" of the National University of San Marcos, from which most of the current faculties of health sciences in Peru would derive.

The area of Health Sciences is made up of the following faculties:

  • Faculty of Medicine «San Fernando» (FMSF): It is the Faculty of Human Medicine of the University of San Marcos, also called the "San Fernando" Faculty of Medicine, it is the first medical school in Peru. Its history dates back to the first chairs of medicine outlined among the first ones taught at the University of San Marcos in the 16th century, after the creation of the Royal College of Medicine and Surgery of San Fernando in 1811, and finally to its official installation as faculty on October 6, 1856, by Cayetano Heredia. The faculty also colloquially receives the name Faculty of Medicine of Lima.[135] At present it offers undergraduate, specialization, and postgraduate studies in its professional schools of human medicine, obstetrics, nursing, medical technology and nutrition. San Fernando sends abroad and receives students from abroad through the Student Exchange Section (SIE), approximately 40% of its graduates carry out their postgraduate studies abroad.[136][137] In the National Medical Exams in Peru (ENAM), the "San Fernando" Faculty of Medicine has obtained first place on numerous occasions.[138][139]
  • Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry (FFB): It is the first university-level institution to train pharmaceutical chemists in Peru. Its origins go back to the creation of the Protoboticary in 1808 and the inclusion of pharmacy teaching in the synoptic table of the curriculum of the College of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Surgery. In 1931 the School of Pharmacy was created. It would not be until October 29, 1943, that the law approved the creation of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry.[135] The faculty currently offers studies of undergraduate, specialization, and postgraduate; in its professional schools of: pharmacy and biochemistry, food science and toxicology.[140]
  • Faculty of Dentistry (FO): Dentistry was born as a profession at the national level as a section of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of San Marcos in the year 1868. It would not be until 1920 that these studies became independent with the creation of the Institute of Dentistry. The following year this institute was incorporated into the university and the Faculty of Dentistry was officially created.[135] At present, the premises of the faculty are located on the university campus and offer the teaching of studies of undergraduate, specializations and postgraduate; in its professional school of dentistry. It also has dental clinics serving the community.[141]
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FMV): The teaching of veterinary medicine in Peru begins with the National School of Agronomy. On the other hand, in 1940 the Veterinary Section was created at the Chorrillos Military School, which in 1943 would become the Military School of Veterinary Sciences. In 1944 the two aforementioned schools came together, creating the National School of Veterinary Sciences, which in 1946 would become the current Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, beginning the teaching of veterinary medicine at the university level in Peru.[135] In 1956, the faculty moved to its current location in San Borja. Being the pioneer faculty in the teaching of veterinary medicine in Peru, it currently offers studies of undergraduate, specialization, and postgraduate; in its professional school of veterinary medicine. It also has a veterinary clinic serving the community.[142]
  • Faculty of Psychology (FPSI): The first antecedent of the study of psychology in Peru is the creation of the Psychology Section in 1955 as part of the Faculty of Letters of the University of San Marcos. In 1963 the Department of Psychology was created and from then on, along with the development of experimental psychology worldwide, the creation of the Faculty of Psychology began to take shape, an initiative promoted by the German psychologist Walter Blumenfeld; which is officially created in 1988, being the first in Peru.[135] At the moment the faculty offers the studies of undergraduate, specialization, and postgraduate; in its professional school of: psychology, with pre-specialties in clinical, organizational, social-community and educational psychology, and in his professional school of: organizational psychology and human management. It has various experimental psychology laboratories, a toy library, a teaching clinic, and psychological clinics at the service of the community, among others.[143]

The following table lists the faculties that makeup area A, as well as the professional schools that make it up:

Academic area Faculty Department Undergraduate Postgraduate Other
BA/BS Lic. MA/MS Dr./PhD Dip. Spec.
A: HEALTH SCIENCES 01.
Faculty of Human Medicine
 01.1. Human Medicine ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
01.2. Obstetrics ✔ ✔
01.3. Nursing ✔ ✔
01.4.1. Medical Technology: Clinical Laboratory and Pathological Anatomy
01.4.2. Medical Technology: Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation
01.4.3. Medical Technology: Radiology
01.4.4. Medical Technology: Occupational Therapy 		✔ ✔
01.5. Nutrition ✔ ✔
04. Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry
 04.1. Pharmacy and Biochemistry ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
04.2. Food Science ✔ ✔
04.3. Toxicology ✔ ✔
05. Faculty of Dentistry
 05.1. Odontology ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
08. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
 08.1. Veterinary Medicine ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
18. Faculty of Psychology
 18.1. Psychology ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
18.2. Organizational Psychology and Human Management ✔ ✔

Basic Sciences

The Basic Sciences area is made up of the following faculties:

Main pavilion of the Faculty of Mathematical Sciences of the National University of San Marcos, it is located within the University City.
  • Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering (FQIQ): It has its background in the Faculty of Sciences at the University of San Marcos, created on April 7, 1855. On that date, the studies of chemistry in San Marcos were formally started by the Italian doctors Antonio Raimondi and José Eboli. In 1935, the specialty of chemistry was created at the university. In 1946, then President José Luis Bustamante y Rivero promulgated Law 10555, which created the Faculty of Chemistry at the University of San Marcos. On April 24, 1964, the study of chemical engineering was introduced, with which the faculty acquired the current name of Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering.[144] It offers studies of undergraduate, specialization, and postgraduate; in its professional schools of chemistry, chemical engineering, and agro-industrial engineering.[145]
  • Faculty of Biological Sciences (FCB): It has its background in the creation of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, on August 28, 1861, which included the chair of natural history. On March 15, 1866, it became independent as the Faculty of Sciences; It then included the area of natural history, the subjects of mineralogy, geology, botany, and zoology. The first dean was Antonio Raimondi, an Italian scholar of the natural sciences of Peru. Since the beginning of the 20th century, it has been in charge of the Natural History Museum of Lima and other research institutes. In the middle of the 20th century, there was a reform of the biological sciences study program and the granting of the professional title of biologist was established.[144] It currently offers studies of undergraduate, specialization, and postgraduate; in its professional schools of biological sciences, genetics and biotechnology, and microbiology and parasitology.[146]
  • Faculty of Physical Sciences (FCF): The studies of classical physics began in the Faculty of Mathematical Sciences of the University of San Marcos in the middle of the 19th century. However, the study of modern physics was not officially instituted until 1966, with the creation of the Faculty of Physical Sciences.[144] It currently offers studies of undergraduate, specialization, and postgraduate; in their professional schools of physics, and mechanical engineering of fluids. He is in charge of the university's Historical Museum of Physical Sciences and the Institute of Physical Research.[147][148]
  • Faculty of Mathematical Sciences (FCM): The Faculty of Mathematical Sciences began its operation in the year 1850. In 1862 it was called the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, later in 1876 it took the name of the Faculty of Sciences. Renowned scientists and mathematicians such as Federico Villarreal and Santiago Antúnez de Mayolo would emerge from this faculty. At the end of the 20th century, the initiative to create the current National University of Engineering would arise from this faculty.[144][149] Today, the faculty is called the Faculty of Mathematical Sciences, and it is located in Ciudad Universitaria. It offers studies of: undergraduate, specializations and postgraduate; in their professional schools of: mathematical sciences, statistics, operations research and computational science.[150][151]

The following table lists the faculties that makeup area B, as well as the professional schools that make it up:

Academic area Faculty Department Undergraduate Postgraduate Other
BA/BS Lic. MA/MS Dr./PhD Dip. Spec.
B: BASIC SCIENCES 07. Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering 07.1. Chemistry ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
10. Faculty of Biological Sciences 10.1. Biological Sciences ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
10.2. Genetics and Biotechnology ✔ ✔
10.3. Microbiology and Parasitology ✔ ✔
13. Faculty of Physical Sciences 13.1. Physics ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
14. Faculty of Mathematical Sciences 14.1. Math ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
14.2. Statistics ✔ ✔
14.3. Operative investigation ✔ ✔
14.4. Scientific Computing ✔ ✔

Engineering

The Engineering area is made up of the following faculties:

Main pavilion of the Faculty of Industrial Engineering of the National University of San Marcos, it is located within the University City.
  • Faculty of Geological, Mining, Metallurgical, and Geographical Engineering (FIGMMG): The teaching of geological engineering began when the specialty of geology was created in 1935, later in 1968 the academic programs of geology and geological engineering were created.[152] In 1971 the academic-professional School of Metallurgical Engineering was created. The School of Mining Engineering was created on November 5, 1980.[153] The School of Geographic Engineering was created the next day, on November 6, 1980.[154] In 1983, the university assembly approved the creation of the Faculty of Geology, Mines, Metallurgy, Geographical Sciences, and Fluid Mechanics, that integrated these professional schools. In 1991 the faculty is restructured and the school of fluid mechanics becomes part of the Faculty of Physical Sciences. In 2009 and 2014, the School of Civil Engineering and the School of Environmental Engineering were created respectively; this being the final conformation of the current Faculty of Geological, Mining, Metallurgical and Geographic Engineering.[144] It currently offers studies of: undergraduate, specialization, and postgraduate; in its professional schools of geological engineering, mining engineering, metallurgical engineering, geographic engineering, civil engineering and environmental engineering.[155]
  • Faculty of Industrial Engineering (FII): It has its main antecedent in the industrial engineering academic program, established in 1969. However, this program did not function independently until 1982, the year in which it was separated from the specialties of electronic engineering and fluid mechanics engineering. It would not be until December 7, 1988, that the university assembly would create the current Faculty of Industrial Engineering, the same one that is consolidated in its organization, with the perspective of fully fulfilling the role that corresponds to it according to its study programs.[144] It offers studies of undergraduate, specializations, and postgraduate; in its professional schools of industrial engineering, textile engineering, and occupational health and safety engineering.[156]
  • Faculty of Electronic and Electrical Engineering (FIEE): It has its origins in the initial electrical and electronic courses at the Faculty of Physical Sciences. Subsequently, these studies would become independent of the faculty and would jointly constitute a new one, the current Faculty of Electronic and Electrical Engineering of the University of San Marcos. It currently offers studies of undergraduate, specialization, and postgraduate; in their professional schools of electronic engineering, electrical engineering, and telecommunications engineering.[144][157]
  • Faculty of Systems Engineering and Informatics (FISI): Its main antecedent is the School of Computing founded with the collaboration of the French government in the Faculty of Mathematical Sciences in 1969, being the first school of computing, systems, and informatics in Peru. In 1996, these studies became independent with the creation of the academic-professional school of Systems Engineering. On October 30, 2000, by rectory resolution, the Faculty of Systems Engineering and Informatics of the University of San Marcos was created.[144] He is currently in charge of the University's Computer Science Center. It offers studies of undergraduate, specialization, and postgraduate; in its professional schools of systems engineering, and software engineering.[158]

The following table lists the faculties that makeup area C, as well as the professional schools that make it up:

Academic area Faculty Department Undergraduate Postgraduate Other
BA/BS Lic. MA/MS Dr./PhD Dip. Spec.
C: INGENIERÍAS 07. Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering 07.2. Chemical engineering ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
07.3. Agroindustrial engineering ✔ ✔
13. Faculty of Physical Sciences 13.2. Mechanical Engineering of Fluids ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
16. Faculty of Geological, Mining, Metallurgical, and Geographical Engineering 16.1. Geological Engineering ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
16.2. Geographical Engineering ✔ ✔
16.3. Mining Engineering ✔ ✔
16.4. Metallurgical Engineering ✔ ✔
16.5. Civil Engineering ✔ ✔
16.6. Environmental engineering ✔ ✔
17. Faculty of Industrial Engineering
 17.1. Industrial Engineering ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
17.2. Textile Engineering ✔ ✔
17.3. Occupational Health and Safety Engineering ✔ ✔
19. Faculty of Electronic and Electrical Engineering 19.1. Electronic Engineering ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
19.2. Electric engineering ✔ ✔
19.3. Telecommunications Engineering ✔ ✔
19.4. Biomedical engineering ✔ ✔
20. Faculty of Systems Engineering and Informatics 20.1. Systems engineer ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
20.2. Software Engineering ✔ ✔

Economics and Management Sciences

Main pavilion of the Faculty of Economic Sciences and the Faculty of Accounting Sciences of the National University of San Marcos, it is located within University City.

The area of Economics and Management Sciences is made up of the following faculties:

  • Faculty of Administrative Sciences (FCA): It has its beginnings in the administration studies given at the Faculty of Political and Administrative Sciences, created in 1875. In 1920 the faculty changed its name to the Faculty of Political and Economic Sciences, restructuring its curricular plan. In 1943 it changed its name again to the Faculty of Economic and Commercial Sciences. Around 1960 the faculty had the School of Administrators. In 1984, the creation of an independent faculty for the study of administration was established, which is the current Faculty of Administrative Sciences.[159] The faculty currently offers studies of undergraduate, specialization, and postgraduate; in its professional schools of administration, tourism administration, and international business administration.[159][160]
Conference on Behavioral Economics in the Hall of Degrees of the Faculty of Economic Sciences of the National University of San Marcos.
  • Faculty of Accounting Sciences (FCC): It originates with the accounting studies given at the Faculty of Political and Administrative Sciences, created in 1875. In 1920 the faculty changed its name to the Faculty of Political and Economic Sciences, restructuring its curricular plan. In 1943 it changed its name again to the Faculty of Economic and Commercial Sciences. Around 1960, the faculty had the School of Accountants. In 1984, the creation of an independent faculty for the study of accounting was established, which is the current Faculty of Accounting Sciences of the University of San Marcos.[159] It currently offers studies of undergraduate, specialization, and postgraduate; in its professional schools of accounting, tax management, and business and public auditing.[161]
  • Faculty of Economic Sciences (FCE): It has its background in economics studies given at the Faculty of Political and Administrative Sciences, created in 1875. In 1920 the faculty changed its name to the Faculty of Political and Economic Sciences, restructuring its curricular plan. In 1943 it changed its name again to the Faculty of Economic and Commercial Sciences. Around 1960, the faculty had the School of Economists. In 1984, the creation of an independent faculty for the study of economics was established, which is the current Faculty of Economic Sciences.[159] It offers studies of undergraduate, specialization, and postgraduate; in its professional schools of economics, public economics. and international economics.[162]

The following table lists the faculties that makeup area D, as well as the professional schools that make it up:

Academic area Faculty Department Undergraduate Postgraduate Other
BA/BS Lic. MA/MS Dr./PhD Dip. Spec.
D: ECONOMIC AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES 09. Faculty of Administrative Sciences
 09.1. Business Administration ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
09.2. Tourism Administration ✔ ✔
09.3. International Business management ✔ ✔
11. Faculty of Accounting Sciences 11.1. Accounting ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
11.2. Tax management ✔ ✔
11.3. Business and Public Audit ✔ ✔
12. Faculty of Economic Sciences
 12.1. Economics ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
12.2. Public Economics ✔ ✔
12.3. International economics ✔ ✔

Humanities, and Legal and Social Sciences

The area of Humanities and Legal and Social Sciences is made up of the following faculties:

Main pavilion of the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences of the National University of San Marcos, it is located within the University City.
  • Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences (FLCH): It has its antecedents in the founding of the University of San Marcos, when it had the faculties of theology and arts, which would later derive in the Faculty of Letters that would develop its main activities in the Court of Letters of the Casona de San Marcos. In 1854 and under the government of Ramón Castilla, it adopted the name of Faculty of Philosophy and Humanities; In 1876, the title of the Faculty of Letters was returned to him. At the beginning of the 20th century, the faculty changed its name several times to include new programs, until in 1965 the current name of the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences was fixed. It is currently located in the University City.[163][159][164] It offers studies of undergraduate, specialization, and postgraduate; in its professional schools of literature, philosophy, linguistics, social communication, art, library and information sciences, dance, and conservation and restoration. The faculty is in charge of various research institutes, museums such as the Museum of Art and the Language Center of the University of San Marcos.[165]
  • Faculty of Education (FEDU): It has its antecedents in the chair of Pedagogy dictated at the University of San Marcos from March 18, 1876, with the authorization of the then president of Peru Manuel Pardo y Lavalle. From 1901, the chair of Pedagogy was part of the curriculum of the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters as a compulsory course. On December 14, 1925, the Pedagogy section was created in the Faculty of Letters. It would not be until April 24, 1946, that with the promulgation of the University Statute of 1946, the Faculty of Education was created at the University of San Marcos. In 1984, the professional schools that it has today were created. It currently offers studies of undergraduate, specialization, and postgraduate; in its professional schools of education and physical education. Located mainly in the University City, it also has the San Marcos Application College, located in the district of Lince.[163][159][166]
Main pavilion of the Faculty of Law and Political Science of the National University of San Marcos, it is located within the University City.
  • Faculty of Law and Political Science (FDCP): Its antecedents date back to the founding of the University of San Marcos in 1551, when the Colegio Real Felipe was created within the university for the teaching of law. In 1770, the historic Real Convictorio de San Carlos was founded – merging the existing San Felipe College of Law and the San Martín College of Philosophy and Law.[163] In these cloisters several ideologues of the South American emancipatory feat were formed. During the government of Augusto B. Leguía, the Faculty of Jurisprudence was transformed into the Faculty of Law. On June 28, 1935, a new university statute was issued, in which it was called the Faculty of Law and Political Science as it is known to this day.[159] Currently located in the Ciudad Universitaria, it offers studies of undergraduate, specialization, and postgraduate; in their professional schools of: law and political science. It also has a free legal office at the service of the community.[167]
  • Faculty of Social Sciences (FCS): The history of the faculty goes back to the creation of the first chairs of social studies, such as those of history from 1857, that of sociology from 1896, and that of archeology from 1920. In 1969, with the promulgation of the Organic Law of the Peruvian University, the Department of Historical-Social Sciences is created at the University of San Marcos. On September 24, 1984, in accordance with the University Law, a new administrative academic structure was established, creating the Faculty of Social Sciences, grouping the social studies programs taught at the university.[163][159] Currently located in the University City, it offers studies of undergraduate, specialization, and postgraduate; in their professional schools of history, sociology, anthropology, archaeology, social work and geography. The faculty is in charge of the university's Museum of Archeology and Anthropology.[168]

The following table lists the faculties that makeup area E, as well as the professional schools that make it up:

Academic area Faculty Department Undergraduate Postgraduate Other
BA/BS Lic. MA/MS Dr./PhD Dip. Spec.
E: HUMANITIES, AND LEGAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCES 03. Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences 03.1. Literature ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
03.2. Philosophy ✔ ✔
03.3. Linguistics ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
03.4. Social Communication ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
03.5. History of Art ✔ ✔
03.6. Librarianship and Information Sciences ✔ ✔
03.7. Dance ✔ ✔
03.8. Conservation and restoration ✔ ✔
06. Faculty of Education 06.1.1. Initial education
06.1.2. Primary education
06.1.3.1. Secondary Education: English and Spanish
06.1.3.2. Secondary Education: Language and Literature
06.1.3.3. Secondary Education: History and Geography
06.1.3.4. Secondary Education: Philosophy, Tutoring and Social Sciences
06.1.3.5. Secondary Education: Mathematics and Physics
06.1.3.6. Secondary Education: Biology and Chemistry 		✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
06.2. Physical education ✔ ✔
02. Faculty of Law and Political Science 02.1. Law ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
02.2. Politic Science ✔ ✔
15. Faculty of Social Sciences 15.1. History ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
15.2. Sociology ✔ ✔
15.3. Anthropology ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
15.4. Archeology ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
15.5. Social Work ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
15.6. Geography ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

Campuses

Since its foundation, the University of San Marcos has passed through five different main locations, having two main transfers during the 16th century, one in the mid-19th century, and the last one in the mid-20th century:[169]

  • 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th centuries: The first one, the premises of the Convent of Nuestra Señora del Rosario of the Dominican Order; the second one, near the outskirts of San Marcelo, where shortly before the Convent of the Order of San Agustín had functioned; the third —since 1575— in the primitive Plaza del Estanque, later called the Plaza de la Inquisición, the current location of the Congress of Peru.
  • 19th and 20th centuries: In the second half of the 19th century, it was moved to the premises of the old Convictorio de San Carlos —a San Marcos residence at that time—, today the Cultural Center of the University of San Marcos operates in said premises. In the same way, at the end of the 19th century, the "San Fernando" Faculty of Medicine moved to its permanent location on the current Avenida Grau.
  • 20th and 21st centuries: Since the mid-1960s, during the government of Manuel Prado, the university began to occupy its main campus, the current Ciudad Universitaria, located between Avenida Universitaria and Avenida Venezuela. The rectory, the central library and 17 of the 20 faculties of the university are currently located there.

University city

Aerial view of a large part of the University City of the National University of San Marcos

Since 1966, the University City of the National University of San Marcos, generally known as "University City of Lima" or simply "University City", is the main campus of the National University of San Marcos and the focal point of Universitary Av. — by giving this its name and for being the point from which this road expands both north and south. Its main entrances are located at Universitaria Av., Venezuela Av., Germán Amézaga Av. and Óscar Benavides Av.—formerly Colonial Av.—, in the Lima District. In the University City of the National University of San Marcos the main administrative facilities of the university are located, such as the rectory. In it are located 17 of the 20 faculties of the University of San Marcos, the central library, the Stadium of the University of San Marcos, the university gymnasium, the dining room of the University City and one of the university residences. In addition, the City includes the archaeological complex of Huaca San Marcos, which is preserved and studied by students and researchers from San Marcos.[170]

Since 2007, road works have been carried out outside the University City. The works imposed by the former mayor Luis Castañeda of the Metropolitan Municipality of Lima were widely questioned by the students, due to the fact that he intended to mutilate almost 29,000 square meters of the campus, and because the construction of a ring road would imply the disappearance of areas green areas and part of the buffer zone necessary for academic activities on campus. In 2008, specialists from the National University of Engineering and the CDL-College of Engineers of Peru joined the timely student request for the reformulation of the municipal works, pointing out that these works were oversized, that they lacked support enough technicians and that there were other options for traffic flows in the area. Currently, the works are paralyzed by a precautionary measure from the National Institute of Culture (INC), after verifying that these works damaged part of the cultural heritage in the Huaca San Marcos. Once the management of former mayor Luis Castañeda has ended, an agreement is expected between the new management of mayoress Susana Villarán and the university, which means a better benefit for both parties and for the neighbors, preserving the integrity of the Huaca San Marcos, conserving the buffer zone and green areas of the campus, and not incurring in unjustified and badly designed constructions. In January 2011, the new municipal management recognized that the ring road was unnecessary, agreeing with the position of the University of San Marcos, which was supported by the evaluations of specialists from the College of Engineers of Peru and the National University of Engineering. Representatives of the university took this news in the best way, pending a conciliation and agreement to adjust the work for the university population and the Lima commune.[171][172]

Central Library

Exterior view of the Central Library «Pedro Zulen». In it, manuscripts dating from the 16th century are preserved, the years in which the University of San Marcos began to function.

Since 1768 the university sought to establish —in addition to the collections of each faculty— a central library, however, this would not come to fruition until 1871. Looted during the Chilean occupation during the War of the Pacific, at the beginning of the 20th a modernization process undertaken by the librarian Pedro Zulen and the Peruvian historian Jorge Basadre, a process that achieved the total reorganization and cataloging of the existing titles.[170][173] The current "Pedro Zulen" Central Library of the university is the culmination of various computerization and modernization projects. The central library works in a 19,800 m² building, making it the largest university library in Peru and one of the largest in Latin America. It is made up of four buildings linked together, has five levels, and is located in the Civic Plaza of the university campus.

Monument of Fray Thomas de San Martín, manager of the foundation of the National University of San Marcos, outside the "Pedro Zulen" Central Library.

The building has the capacity to serve 2,500 users simultaneously. It has a multifunctional stage, 400 seats, and various high-tech systems that allow surveillance by video cameras, Internet connection, videoconference systems, multimedia projectors, radio links, and professional audio and sound equipment. The library has all its automated processes, such as those related to the acquisition of university publications, as well as the cataloging and classification of the texts and resources offered by the library. The university seeks to digitize all the information of national origin found in the library through its virtual library service, thus in the medium term it would include collections of newspapers and magazines —dating back to the 18th century—, books by renowned Peruvian authors and important works that, due to their small number or being unique copies, are of restricted use. The Central Library "Pedro Zulen", under the auspices of UNESCO, leads the initiative to develop and implement digitalization and electronic publication processes in the area of these and other documents, using international standards such as OAI-PMH, TEI Lite, Dublin Core, ETD-MS, XML, among others. This initiative which has received the name of Cybertesis of the University of San Marcos is currently the largest repository in Peru.[170][174]

Library system

Each one of the faculties of the National University of San Marcos has its own specialized library in the study areas of each faculty, these are connected to each other through the Library System (SISBIB) of the university. Currently, in addition to the library system, the University of San Marcos has the "Pedro Zulen" Central Library, which includes most of the university's titles, and which directs the main activity of SISBIB.[170] In addition to the central library and the libraries of each faculty located in the University City, the SISBIB is also in charge of four specialized libraries located like other university dependencies: Spain Library of the Arts, Library "Raúl Porras Barrenechea Institute", Library of the Museum of Natural History "Javier Prado", and Library-Museum "Temple-Radicati".[175]

University clinic

Clinic of the University of San Marcos, in which medical care and consulting rooms are offered to students, teachers, workers, and the neighboring community.

The current San Marcos University Clinic, inaugurated in February 1998 by reorganizing the previous clinical offices, is located within the university campus. At this health center, care is provided to students, retirees, teachers, administrative staff and the neighboring community, performing operations and other emergency cases due to trauma, burns, and serious injuries. It provides pharmacy, radiology, respiratory disease care, diabetes screening, AIDS screening, psychology, dentistry, gynecology, cosmetic surgery, etc.[170][176] Regularly carries out, in conjunction with other institutions, vaccination, blood donation and sexual education campaigns.[177]

University Residence

Residence of the University City. Currently, 102 students are staying there.

The University of San Marcos has two residence halls for its two main campuses:

  • The University City Residence Hall is located on the main campus, between Avenida Universitaria and Avenida Venezuela. It houses male and female students; provincials from the coast, mountains, and jungle of Peru; of all specialties. This residence currently houses 101 students.[170][178]
  • The Julio C. Tello Residence Hall is located at Av. Grau 1190, near the "San Fernando" School of Medicine of the University of San Marcos. This campus houses provincial students —only males— of all specialties. It currently has 92 students.[179]

Stadium of the University of San Marcos

Main article: Estadio Universidad San Marcos
Metallica (World Magnetic Tour) at the San Marcos University Stadium.

The Stadium of the National University of San Marcos, officially known as the "Colossus of America", is located practically in the center of the University City. Its main accesses are through the block 5 of Av. Amézaga and the block 36 of Av. Venezuela, in the city of Lima, Peru. It was inaugurated in 1951 commemorating the 400th anniversary of the founding of the University of San Marcos. The San Marcos stadium initially had a total capacity of 70,000 people, becoming at the time the stadium with the highest capacity in Peru.[180] It has recently been conditioned to an official capacity of 32,000 people. The remodeled venue will be the official venue for the 2019 South American U-17 Championship and the 2019 Pan American Games.

At the local level, it has been the official stadium of the university soccer team, Club Deportivo Universidad San Marcos, which played until 2011 in the Second Division of Peru. In addition to sports practice, the stadium has also been used as a space for the devleopment of extra-curricular activities for students, teachers and administrative staff of the University of San Marcos.[181] In recent years it has also been the scene of massive concerts, featuring bands and artists such as Metallica,[182] Korn, Gustavo Cerati, Marc Anthony, Bon Jovi,[183] Green Day, The Smashing Pumpkins, Fania All-Stars, Iron Maiden, Shakira, Slayer, Van Halen, Bad Religion, Juanes, Aerosmith, Pearl Jam, Noel Gallagher, Lady Gaga, etc.[184]

Casona of the National University of San Marcos

Old San Carlos (1912) by Teófilo Castillo, representing the interior of the Mansion of the University of San Marcos. Painting currently in the custody of the Museum of Art of Lima.

The

University City of Lima. After its recent restoration, the "Casona" is the main reference of the cultural and artistic activity of the University, and one of the best-preserved constructions of the colonial era in the city of Lima. It is one of the main tourist attractions of the Historic Center of Lima. The complex is part of the area and the list of buildings in the historic center of the capital that in 1988 was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO
.

San Fernando Campus

The Faculty of Medicine of the National University of San Marcos "San Fernando" (acronym: FMSF-UNMSM) is one of the twenty faculties that make up the said university. The faculty, within the organization of the university, is part of the Health Sciences area and has the Schools of Human Medicine, Obstetrics, Nursing, Medical Technology, and Nutrition, which offer both undergraduate and graduate studies. The Faculty of Medicine is also the focal point of the San Fernando campus, which has the largest number of faculties and schools related to the health sciences. The campus is located in Barrios Altos. Within the campus there is also the Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, the Botanical Garden of Lima, a university dining room (Cangallo), the Medical Student Center and its academy; and there is also the Central Morgue of Lima.

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

Faculty that has only the School of Veterinary Medicine, which offers both undergraduate and postgraduate studies. The campus has the school buildings, a hospital for little and exotic animals, a university dining room, and the postgraduate classrooms. It is located on its own campus in the district of San Borja (ex fundo Cahuache).

Research

Mural dedicated to research and knowledge (Main Library).

Throughout its history, the National University of San Marcos has significantly contributed to the scientific development of Peru. Currently, the National University of San Marcos is one of the few Peruvian universities that conduct research – only 10 out of over 80 universities.[185] This is mostly due to the fact the national government has not properly financed research development in the last decades.[186]

Regarding the development of research activities in San Marcos, halfway through the 20th century, the Peruvian government issued provisions to place emphasis on and create areas of scientific and student-led research. As a result, throughout these years many museums and institutes have been created within San Marcos to promote research in different areas of human knowledge. During the last years of the decade of 1990 and the beginning of 2000, the university renewed its research system through the assignation of specific projects to diverse academic departments.[187]

Research Institutes

Currently, the University of San Marcos has 37 academic research units usually referred to as institutes.[188][189][190] Each of these are grouped according to the academic area in which they carry out their research, thus they are classified mainly in the areas of: health sciences, basic sciences, engineering, economic and management sciences, and humanities and legal and social sciences. According to their areas of study, the research centers have museums and specialized laboratories where they exhibit and carry out studies on subjects related to their areas. Each institute also has its own publications where they present reports and results of the work and studies of their researchers.[188] In addition to these institutes, the University of San Marcos is also in charge of other important institutes, museums, cultural centers, libraries, and seminaries in Lima that —in a non-compulsory way— carry out research jointly with their related faculties.[191]

Since 2015, after winning the first competition for centers of excellence convened by the National Council of Science and Technology (CONCYTEC), the University of San Marcos also has the Center for Technological, Biomedical and Environmental Research (acronym: CITBM), This being the first center of excellence in Peru dedicated to the integration of scientific research with development and technological innovation. It is led by the University of San Marcos and is made up of three national companies and three international centers of excellence. It also has several national and international collaborators. The center's two lines of research are: biotechnology and health; and water, soil and society.[192]

Below is a list of the main research institutes of the University of San Marcos:[191]

Health Sciences:
  • FMSF: Clinical Research Institute
  • FMSF: Center for Research in Biochemistry and Nutrition "Alberto Guzmán Barrón"
  • FMSF: National Institute of Andean Biology
  • FMSF: Pathology Research Institute
  • FMSF: Institute of Tropical Medicine "Daniel A. Carrión"
  • FMSF: Institute of Ethics in Health
  • FMSF: Research Unit of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry
  • FFB: Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Resources "Juan de Dios Guevara"
  • FFB: Institute for Research in Biological Chemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology "Marco Antonio Garrido Malo"
  • FFB: Latin American Center for Teaching and Research in Food Bacteriology
  • FO: Stomatological Research Institute
  • FMV: Veterinary Institute of Tropical and Altitude Research
  • FPSI: Institute for Psychological Research
 Basic Sciences:
  • FCB: Research Institute of Biological Sciences
  • FCF: Physics Research Institute
  • FCM: Research Institute of Mathematical Sciences

Engineering:

  • FQIQ: Research Unit of the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
  • FQIQ: Institute of Chemical Sciences
  • FQIQ: Institute of Chemical Engineering
  • FIGMMG: Research Institute of Geological, Mining, Metallurgical, Geographical Engineering
  • FII: Industrial Engineering Research Institute
  • FIEE: Research Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • FISI: Research Institute of Systems Engineering and Informatics
 Economics and Management Sciences:
  • FCA: Research Institute of Administrative Sciences
  • FCC: Research Institute of Financial and Accounting Sciences
  • FCE: Research Institute of Economic Sciences

Humanities, and legal and social sciences:

  • FLCH: Institute of Humanistic Research
  • FLCH: Institute of Applied Linguistics
  • FLCH: Research Institute of Peruvian and Latin American Thought
  • FLCH: Institute for Linguistic Research
  • FEDU: Educational Research Institute
  • FDCP: Law and Political Science Research Unit
  • FCS: Social Historical Research Institute

Some of the previously mentioned research institutes of the University of San Marcos are described below:

Peruvian wart. This disease was previously analyzed by the medical student, also from San Marcos, Daniel Alcides Carrión
, a martyr to Peruvian medicine.
  • Clinical Research Institute: It is the institute in charge of stimulating, coordinating, and carrying out basic and applied research in medicine, in the context of problems of national or regional interest.[194]
  • Center for Research in Biochemistry and Nutrition "Alberto Guzmán Barrón": Founded in 1957, it is the center responsible for basic and applied scientific research in the fields of biochemistry, nutrition, health, molecular biology, molecular genetics, and related areas, giving priority to lines of research that help solve problems of national interest.[195]
  • National Institute of Andean Biology: It is the body responsible for research aimed at better understanding the problems of life at altitude, in genetic, morphological, biochemical, physiological, pathological, sociological, anthropological aspects, etc.[196]
  • Institute of Pathology: It is the unit in charge of contributing to research and national scientific-technical development in the field of human pathology.[197]
  • Institute of Tropical Medicine "Daniel A. Carrión" (IMT): It was created in 1963 by an agreement between the German government and the University of San Marcos, it was the first specialized institute for research and treatment of tropical and infectious diseases in Peru. Thanks to this institute, the "San Fernando" School of Medicine has been designated by the Ministry of Health of Peru as the main reference center for leprosy throughout the country. Currently, it offers the community, mainly low-income people, specialized medical care in infectious and tropical diseases, both in outpatient clinics and laboratory analysis, at affordable prices.[198][199]
  • Institute of Ethics in Health: Body in charge of guaranteeing the ethical development of medical and health research produced by the university.[200]
  • Research Unit of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry: It is in charge of planning and coordinating the research activities of both the Institute of Biological Chemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology, and the "Juan de Dios Guevara" Institute of Natural and Therapeutic Resources. Likewise, it develops workshops and research conferences in coordination with the institutes of his faculty.
    Leviathan melvillei; the Perucetus colossus, the heaviest animal that ever existed, and the first Plesiosaurus found in Peruvian territory. These fossils have been discovered and studied by paleontologists from San Marcos such as Rodolfo Salas Gismondi, Mario Urbina Schmitt, and Iván Meza Vélez, and are currently exhibited at the Museum of Natural History of the University of San Marcos
    .