The Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila
South of what today is West Texas and high in the dry lands of interior Mexico, the land and its people date to the earliest of times. Dinosaurs ruled here at least 145.5 million years ago and left fossils still studied today. Early hunting and foraging nomads left their own human traces in petro glyphs and cave paintings dating back to 10,000 B.C. Over time, five tribes predominated: the Huauchichiles, Coahuiltecos, Tobocos, Irritilas, and Rayados. These waring peoples never integrated before today’s State of Coahuila, “land of tall trees” in the old tribal dialect, was named the “Nuevo Extremadura” by Spain who ruled her new world’s northern territories from Saltillo, “Little Spring of Water.” Saltillo is rich in history and tradition. That little spring still flows from our Church of the Spring of Water. Legend has it that a simple donkey with a large crucifix on its back was guided by a peasant who went in the wrong direction. The donkey sat down and refused to move at the site of what is today’s Cathedral. Resplendent today, our baroque Cathedral was built between 1745 and 1800 and includes representations of the Indian gods. Alberto del Canto founded the city in 1577. The Franciscans arrived. Being attacked so many times, the Padres relocated Indians from St. Esteban de la Nueve Tlaxcale to here. The settlement grew.
Today Saltillo is the capital of Coahuila. The Texas Territory was ruled from here. Mexico’s own “mile high city” is a dry arid Capital surrounded by mountains with a first class ski resort and golf course. Saltillo remains a more colonial style, safe city where Spanish and Mexican cultural traditions abound in an atmosphere welcoming outsiders as guests. Hand woven sarapes originated here. 700,000 people live in this quaint city with its traditional Spanish style plazas and an old city center buzzing with activity as residents buy and sell in the always crowded narrow streets and markets, as they have for centuries. Saltillo has escaped modern trends like high skyscrapers. Instead Spanish and ancient Mexican traditions remain to be experienced. Scattered around the city, this modern university stands welcoming our international guests and students.
Saltillo is the center of the Universidad Autonoma de Coahuila, Its 39 schools and facilities offering 50 undergraduate and graduate programs are spread over ten cities around the State. Major campuses are in Saltillo, Torreón, and throughout the Northern Region which borders on the USA. Additionally the University operates 14 high schools as well as health care and vocational education programs offering certificates. 3,876 faculty make up the University. 248 researchers work on specific projects ranging from highly technical ones in the exact sciences to programs aimed at increasing the life and health of our people. Our faculty publish in referenced journals nationally and internationally. Major research centers include the Centers for Social Economic Research, Applied Mathematics, Material Analyses, and Biomedical Research, among others. The University offers very active Extension Services through the State and also GED opportunities for all. Three major language centers plus satellite operations teach intensive and regular classes in Spanish, English, Italian, French, and German. The largest Center enrolls 1,700 students, primary through adult. Additionally we certify the curricula of 54 middle and high schools plus 5 other universities as we strive for excellence. This is reflected in the Art School’s offering professional studio arts and ceramics among other specializations.
The University operates 3 teaching hospitals, including one dedicated to children, with 200 full time teaching faculty in addition to 127 physicians who also teach their specializations. Additionally we support medical research and the training of physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and other health care workers at all levels. All programs aim for the highest standards of excellence.
All University degrees and licenses are accredited by the Ministry of Education. Most have disciplinary accreditations. We belong to CUMEX (Mexican Universities Consortium) which recognizes institutions that have accredited and evaluated educational programs and facilities. The university meets the ISO 9001:2000 Certification Standard.
The Universidad Autonoma de Coahuila’s antecedents trace back to the Colegio Josefino, begun by the Fathers to educate children. It became more formalized when a private Ateneo grew to become a respectable secondary school by 1867. Ultimately from this humble beginning, the State Congress approved the formal University of Coahuila in 1957. The designation “Autonoma” took place in 1973. Throughout the years, we have constantly grown to service the public interest as well as our students of all ages and levels.
Mindful of a university’s goal to educate its students’ minds and bodies, our sports facilities are excellent. Teams compete nationally in soccer, basketball, American football, baseball, and softball as well as gymnastics, karate, tae kwon do, tennis, ping-pong, volley ball, handball, judo, and weight lifting. And, of course, we have several ballet folkloricos to share, including one which performs in Europe, and a precision gymnastic group who’s performances always win wide acclaim.
Our degrees and programs are constantly being reviewed for academic excellence. New programs are constantly under development to serve our people:
