Pontificia Universidad Católica de Perú

The Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, founded in Lima in 1917, is our nation’s number one university, one of the twenty-five best universities in Latin America and the only Peruvian university to be listed among the top five-hundred universities in the world in the international rankings. This placement is recognition of the quality of its education, research, publications, social responsibility, contribution to culture and indisputable institutional and academic leadership. None of this would be possible without the continuing efforts of all those who together comprise this institution: its professors, students, general staff and graduates.

As authorities, we have the responsibility of continuing this undertaking, as we continue the course set forth in the Institutional Strategic Plan, and of aiming to ensure that the Catholic University solidifies its academic leadership, enhances its international recognition and continues its service to Peruvian society. To achieve this, we must build on our strengths and potentials and strive to address those areas in which we are weak or which could be improved. The goal of the rectorial team is to consolidate a University of excellence, with international standards and a commitment to our nation, that is recognized as the most important multidisciplinary center of cultural, humanistic and scientific innovation in Peru, as a result of its wide-ranging academic and institutional leadership, its defense of democratic values, human rights and human development, and its promotion of the responsible use of natural resources and of the environment, all of this in conjunction with the Christian principles which serve as its inspiration.

This will be made possible by the combined efforts of students, professors, general staff and graduates, as we hold firm to the university model we have achieved – one in which there is a constructive dialogue between reason and faith, and which is at the service of Christian and Catholic values, as well as of human development and of our nation’s progress. To achieve this, we must defend our invaluable academic, financial and managerial autonomy in all necessary areas. Only with the contribution of everyone will it be possible to complete the administrative modernization, taking care to ensure that the administrative aspects not overshadow the academic aspects of our institutional life.

It is time to assume the goal of seeking a quality that is in keeping with the international standards of the most important universities in the world, and in particular those of the leading universities in Latin America.

The Catholic University’s desire is to continue its course of excellence, both in area of teaching as well as, fundamentally, in the area of research, as reflected by the creation, by the University Assembly, of the position of Vice-President for Research. To move forward with these purposes, we must develop our ability to obtain funding for research at the University, and we must continue to implement a clear policy in the with regard to intellectual property. The role of the Publishing Fund in the promotion of academic publications and university textbooks is crucial to this process of establishing our University as a center of excellence in teaching and research.

Without detriment to the efforts for greater and deeper knowledge in each of our disciplines, we promote greater communication and coordination of academic efforts between Sciences-Engineering and the Human and Social Sciences, by way of inter- and multi-disciplinary projects, such as Intersapiens. Many of the problems and challenges presented to us by today’s world must be approached in a comprehensive and convergent manner, requiring different and varied perspectives of knowledge and sciences. Our General Studies, in particular, reflect our commitment to the comprehensive and multidisciplinary education of our students. And, given that our University revolves around them, it is crucial to continuously improve the quality of education, research and the incorporation of the same into society as important agents of change.

Our leadership is built on the prestige which we have achieved, which in turn is based on objective and qualitative factors – such as quality of professors, prestige of graduates, quality of academic publications, technological developments, cultural events and all activities carried out by the University as a vivid expression of its mission and which give it its reputation and legitimacy among its peers and in society in general. The Catholic University has effectively used its institutional leadership and recognition for purposes that are creative, that promote academic and scientific development, and that allow it to serve as a voice of authority with regard to the great problems faced by our country. It is important that we continue to solidify our role as an important and relevant social actor in relation to development and democracy in Peru, ensuring that the University’s voice is heard with regard to our greatest problems.

In short, excellence, leadership, democracy, human rights and development, innovation and modernization are the elements that guide our University as it approaches its centennial.