THE UNIVERSITY OF ANTIOQUIA (U. of A.) is the academic institution of higher education's most important department of Antioquia and the oldest state university in Colombia, founded in 1803. It is also one of the best universities in the country, received institutional accreditation from the CNA September 5, 2003, for a period of 9 years, together with the Universidad de los Andes, the universities and the second period of accreditation higher after the National University of Colombia.
Its headquarters are located in Medellin and has offices in other locations alternate Antioquia Amalfi, Andes, Carmen de Viboral, Envigado, Puerto Berrio, Santa Fe de Antioquia, Segovia and Yarumal. Its student population rises to 34,417 (2006), the second academy in Colombia with more students, surpassed only by the National University of Colombia with all sites combined.
It is a decentralized department of Antioquia, an entity organized as an autonomous university with a special regime, linked to the Ministry of Education when it has to do with policy and planning in the education sector and in relation to the National Science and Technology.
It consists of 26 units divided into 14 academic faculties, four schools, four colleges and four corporations that offer about 68 undergraduate programs. In graduate school, offers ten doctorates, 84 majors, 41 masters and 27 medical specialties, for a total of 162 programs in that format. The teaching staff of university professors is 1698 (2005) of which 262 are doctorates, 302 have a specialization, 798 master's
degrees and 334 undergraduate and professional.
In addition to excel in academics and research, also stands as an important cultural center. There are institutions and university departments that promote culture and arts, such as the University Museum, Central Library, Editorial U.de A. and Cultural Station, among others.
