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The Pontifical Catholic University of Valpara¨ªso (PUCV) was founded in 1928 as the first university in the region, and the fourth in all of Chile.

The university¡¯s first intake totalled 250 students ¨C a figure which now stands at more than 15,000. International students number around 1,000 and are drawn mainly from South America, North America and Europe.

Alumni of PCUV include an abundance of individuals working in the fields of government, politics and human rights.

Over 100 degree programmes are offered at PUCV across nine faculties: Engineering, Law, Economics and Management, Architecture and Urbanism, Philosophy and Education, Agricultural and Food Sciences, Sciences, Marine Sciences and Geography, and Ecclesiastical Theology.

PUCV¡¯s motto is ¡®Faith and Work¡¯. The university prides itself on fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among its students and in conducting research that addresses some of Chile¡¯s cultural, social, and economic problems.

It also has a reputation for international co-operation and forging strong links with overseas universities. Its involvement in a number of exchange programmes and international mobility networks connects its students to more than 200 partner universities worldwide.

The university is famed for its school of architecture. Known as 'The?Valpara¨ªso School' and considered highly creative, the school's faculty members live in Open City - a community they themselves have designed, along with their students, and which came to prominence in the 1960s and 1970s.?

Located on the Pacific coast of the country, Valpara¨ªso is the cultural capital of Chile, best known for its brightly coloured buildings, vibrant street art, galleries, markets and boutiques. In 2003, it was given UNESCO world heritage status. It is also an area of outstanding natural beauty, with easy access to mountains, forests, lakes, volcanoes?and vineyards.