The Universities of Caracas

The City of Caracas, the capitol of Venezuela, isUniversidad Católica Andrés Bello, or
home to many varied interests and attractions, but oneUCAB. A religious university founded by the
of the most fascinating and interesting, are its schools"Episcopado Venezolano a la Compañía
of learning. Higher education in Caracas has ade Jesús", or the Jesuit Order in 1953, it
long-standing tradition, stretching back three hundredspecializes in religious education for the priesthood of
years, to the colonization of the new world, eventhe church, providing solid education and support to the
before the founding of the United States of America.18,000 members of the worldwide Jesuit Order. A
The schools of Caracas range in size and scope, thecatholic-run school, it's private and admits only those it
nature of their funding and the way in which theyinvites to its halls, creating an air of mystery that has
recruit students.inspired local legends of mysterious catacombs, a
The schools of Caracas range from the Universidadreliquary of immense proportions and the idea that the
Central de Venezuela, the largest, most respected andschool possesses pieces of the true cross.
the oldest public university in Venezuela founded inOther universities in Caracas include such schools as
1721 by King Philip V of Spain, to the Universidadthe Universidad Metropolitana, the Universidad Nacional
Bolivariana de Venezuela, the most recent of theExperimental Simón Rodríguez and the
major schools and the most controversial school ofUniversidad Santa Maria. Also in Caracas are the
Caracas, founded in 2003 by presidential decree ofUniversidad Pedagógica Experimental
Hugo Chavez. The former school is known for its richLibertador, the Universidad José María
tradition and history while the other is thought to be aVargas, the Universidad Monteavila, the Universidad
propaganda mouthpiece of the socialist president ofNueva Esparta, the Universidad Experimental
Venezuela.Politécnica Antonio José de Sucre,
In the middle of the extremes, are schools like theUniversidad Alejandro de Humboldt and Universidad
Universidad Simón Bolívar, or USB.Bolivariana de Venezuela.
USB is a public school located in Caracas, whoseThese schools range in age from several years to
scientific and technological focus is well respectedseveral decades, founded by prestigious and influential
around the world. Its graduates are known to possessmembers of Venezuelan society, corporations and
some of the highest professional standards in thebusiness associations for the betterment of the people
world. Engineering and science students come from allof Caracas. Each focuses on specific fields of study,
over South America to study at this prestigious schoolwith expert faculty and well-regarded curriculum's.
and international corporations have been known toUnlike many so-called universities of Latin America or
poach students in their final years for work. Itsthe Caribbean nations, Caracas ' schools rarely have
architecture is likewise iconic, making it a destination forany problems with other, more first-world schools
tourists to Caracas and beyond.recognizing their credits.
One of the more interesting schools of Caracas is the