Abstract

LOPEZ BOHORQUEZ, Alí Enrique. Establishment of the first universities in Venezuela (18th and 19th centuries). Educere [online]. 2009, vol.13, n.45, pp.385-398. ISSN 1316-4910.

Venezuela only had one higher education institution during colonial times: University of Caracas, established in 1721. Eightynine years later, in 1810, the Governmental Superior Junta of Mérida created the University San Buenaventura of Mérida de los Caballeros, reason why it can be considered the first Venezuelan republican university and from Hispanic America. Once the republic was formed in 1830, after the separation of Venezuela from Colombia, a process for the request of opening other universities in the country was started. However, it would not be until 1891 and 1892 when the University of Zulia and the University of Carabobo were established on those dates respectively. The first two institutions had their origins at the Seminar Schools of Caracas and Mérida; while the other two emerged from the National School working in Maracaibo and Valencia, without a continuous history between these institutes, ecclesiastical or secular, and the aforementioned universities. Apart from exposing their foundation process, this article aims to contrast what happened with the University of Mérida.

Keywords : Venezuela; universities; Caracas; Mérida; Maracaibo; Valencia.

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