Libre University of Colombia

Free University of Colombia, also called Unilibre, is a nonsectarian, coeducational, private and nonprofit university based in Bogota, Colombia, with six satellite campuses located in Cali, Barranquilla, Pereira, Cartagena, Cúcuta, and Socorro. It is considered one of Colombia's most comprehensive universities, receiving a high quality accreditation from the Ministry of Education for 4 years, and offers sixty-seven degree programs at the undergraduate level and one hundred sixty-three graduate level programs. Since the original intention of this institution of higher education was to offer the space for unbiased learning during a radical political period in the country, the proper translation would be "Freedom University," given it promotes freedom of speech and political thought. The university is a member of the Association of Colombian Universities (ASCUN) and the Iberoamerican University Network Universia. History The Universidad Libre was established in 1890 as Universidad Republicana (Republican University of Colombia) by the Colegio Académico. In 1910, Universidad Republicana went through terrible economic mishaps. A group of investors determined to save the institution led by Don Eugenio Lopez, proceeded to try to amass the necessary funds to keep the institution alive. On April 13, 1912, Universidad Republicana S.A. was constituted as a society but its commercial name was Universidad libre. In 1913 after many legal battles, Universidad Libre became an independent entity from Universidad Republicana.