USM was founded in Valparaíso on 27 April, 1926, when the Federico Santa María Foundation was established, thanks to his Will and Testament. The entrepreneur and businessman from Valparaíso wanted to leave his country with a center of scientific and technological studies, to train professionals at the highest level.

On 20 December 1931, the Crafts School and the Engineering College “José Miguel Carrera” were inaugurated with academic activity starting in 1932. In 1935, the Foundation was officially named Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María.

In the 1970’s the university started a university technician training program in the area of science and technology, with the establishment of the Viña del Mar branch “José Miguel Carrera”, and the Concepción branch “Rey Balduino de Bélgica”.

In 1995, the first Campus in Santiago (Vitacura) opened.

In 1996, the USM Campus Guayaquil opened in Ecuador, making it the first Chilean University to open a campus abroad.

In 2000, USM and Lan Chile joined to found the Aeronautical Sciences Academy (ACA) at the Santiago - Vitacura Campus. This innovative project links the academic sector to the aeronautical industry with its mission to prepare top level professionals for the Latin American market.

In 2009 the second Campus in Santiago (San Joaquín) was opened. This new campus will strengthen the university ́s presence in the Metropolitan Region.

After 80 years the University is reputed for its prestige and leadership in engineering, science and technology

It is the university’s mission to contribute to the creation of new knowledge through teaching, research, and the university experience; to the humanistic, scientific, and professional training of students. Using knowledge acquired in and outside the classroom, students are inspired to be change-agents for the development and improvement of society.

The institution has national and international significance, and in accordance with the founder’s last will, seeks academic excellence, continually supporting those who, lacking economic means, have the intellectual capacity and the drive to achieve success.

USM was accredited for 6 years (until 2011) by the CNA, former National Undergraduate Accreditation Commission (CNAP), ranking it as one of the best universities in Chile for its prestige, development, quality of teaching and students, its innovation and institutional coherence.

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