Pedagogical and Technological University of Colombia

The Pedagogical and Technological University of Colombia (or La Universidad Pedagogica y Tecnologica de Colombia) is best know as La UPTC and was first established as the University of Boyaca in 1827. It was later renamed as the Male Normal School of Tunja and was built upon the foundations of the Pestalozzi school, an education reform which gave rise to the Faculty of Education in 1934.

In 1950, the Pedagogical University of Colombia was created and eventually became The Pedagogical and Technological University of Colombia in 1962.

This public university is located primarily in Tunja, in the Eastern ranges of the Colombian Andes and has now risen to be regarded as one of the most important and prestigious universities in the country.

Although it has a presence in seven different departments in Colombia (the equivalent of counties), it is headquartered in Boyaca. Specialising in education, the sciences and technology, it comprises 11 faculties, 52 undergraduate academic programmes onsite, 15 undergraduate distance academic programmes and 23 postgraduate programmes.

Other branches are located in Sogamoso, Duitama, Chiquinquira and Bogota D.C. Boyata, which refers both to the municipal area of Boyaca and the town itself, is an important location for Colombians as it was there that Colombian troops won independence from Spain at the Battle of Boyaca in 1819.

Dotted with charming colonial towns, Boyaca is most well known for its Parque Nacional Natural El Cocuy (PNN) which is almost 250km northeast of the department’s capital Tunja, which is a bustling student centre. It also the most high up and coldest departmental capital in Colombia.