Universidad Nacional de Loja

About the university

The National University of Loja is a public university in Loja, southern Ecuador. University-level teaching in the city dates to 1859, when the Federal Government of Loja, led by Manuel Carrion Pinzano, ordered higher studies to be offered under the auspices of the then Colegio San Bernardo; in practice, Jurisprudence was the first effective chair. university is considered one of the country?s oldest institutions of higher education. In 1859, during the Federal Government of Loja headed by Manuel Carrion Pinzano, a decree provided for higher studies (jurisprudence, philosophy and letters, theology, and medicine) to be attached to Colegio San Bernardo; Jurisprudence effectively began to be taught that year, marking the start of higher education in Loja. On 26 December 1895, Supreme Chief Eloy Alfaro issued a decree creating the faculty of jurisprudence in Loja, attached to Colegio San Bernardo, and authorizing it to confer academic degrees in law?consolidating the city?s university tradition.