Universidad Rafael Landívar (URL)

Rafael Landivar University (URL) was founded in 1961 by a team composed of committed laity as well as members of the Society of Jesus as the first Guatemalan private institution of higher education in the country, independent, of Christian inspiration and based on Jesuit education, which service and justice are key priorities.   According to this, URL pays special attention to values, ethical issues and the development of moral character; encourages critical, analytical and creative approaches to solving problems; tries to prepare students for a rapidly changing and diverse society; and between other aspects, incorporates a global and international dimension for growth and learning. The institution involves a various academic community focused on teaching and study, the discovery of new knowledge, and serving the country through its diverse campuses in all regions of Guatemala.

Landivar is part of the network of 30 universities entrusted to the Society of Jesus in Latin America (AUSJAL). It has the mission of “developing common projects in accordance with their strategic priorities, in order to seek a greater contribution of higher education institutions to their societies”.

Today, the University (URL) includes one main Campus in the city of Guatemala, five another campuses located in Quetzaltenango, Huehuetenango, Quiché, Cobán and Zacapa; as well as additional extensions in different parts of the nation: Antigua Guatemala, Escuintla and Jutiapa. All of them serve undergraduate and graduate students in nearly 126 majors and programs that lead to officially recognized higher education grades such as bachelor degrees in several areas of study, for example finance, law, marketing, medicine, and also in agricultural, politics, between others. Likewise, the investigators conduct many studies in other areas, including science, engineering, education, and psychology.

Thus, the university has the following nine schools or faculties: (i) Architecture and design; (ii) Agricultural and environmental sciences; (iii) Health sciences; (iv) Economics and business; (v) Law and social sciences; (vi) Political sciences; (vii) Humanities; (viii) Engineering; and, (ix) Theology.

In the same way URL provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library and administrative services, in order to offer not only these spaces but also seeking access - through scholarships programs - for people who don’t have opportunities neither enough resources for educational studies.

Certainly, Rafael Landivar University search for educate students for lives of service and meaning, equips them with knowledge and skills to be discerning persons in solidarity with others. The education that URL offers is founded on the development of knowledge and research that aims to form students intellectually, morally and spiritually toward lives of mutual support, service and professional success. As it was mentioned already, the institution is centered in the goal of shaping students into the habit of reaching out to the needs of society; inspiring them to live purposeful and fulfilling lives of leadership and service to others.

References

·       Rafael Landivar University website https://principal.url.edu.gt/

·       Education – Men and women for others https://www.jesuits.org/our-work/education/

·       International Association of Jesuits Universities https://iaju.org/associations/ausjal