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Mexico’s colonial era is when the National Autonomous University of Mexico (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, UNAM) had its start. Its origins date back to 1551 when Spanish King Charles V issued an edict establishing the Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico (Real y Pontificia Universidad de México). The first university to be founded in North America was this one.

The institution was essential to the elite of New Spain’s education throughout the colonial era. It was greatly influenced by the Spanish Crown and the Catholic Church and prepared priests, attorneys, and administrators for the colonial system.

Unrest followed Mexico’s independence in 1821. Liberal regimes saw it as a bastion of colonialism and conservatism. The institution was briefly shut down in 1833 and then underwent multiple reorganizations.

The National University of Mexico was established in 1910 when the Mexican Revolution began. This occasion marked a critical turning point in the nation’s higher education reform process. The then-Minister of Education, Justo Sierra, was a major contributor to the establishment of the new university, which became a hub of Mexican scientific and cultural life.

An important turning point in the university’s history was its attainment of autonomy in 1929. This was vital for academic freedom since it allowed the institution to run its internal affairs independently. After this, the university was called the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).

In the 1930s and 1940s, the institution experienced rapid expansion. The faculty and program expansions led to increased enrollment. During this time, the institution became a haven for many intellectuals from Spain who were escaping Franco’s government, enhancing the academic life of the university.

In Mexico City’s Coyoacán neighborhood, the institution’s new campus began developing in the 1950s. Ciudad Universitaria, or University City, is the project that eventually became one of the most ambitious architectural endeavors in Mexican history. The campus opened in 1954 and had several buildings decorated with murals by well-known Mexican artists, representing the nation’s modernity.

As in many other colleges worldwide, the 1960s were turbulent for students at the university. The events of 1968, when the government violently ended student protests, deeply impacted Mexico’s political and social world.

The university expanded and changed over the 1970s and 1980s, forming new research centers and faculties. The institution was vital to the nation’s cultural life, supporting art, literature, and music.

The institution faced new obstacles throughout the 1990s. In 1999–2000, a protracted student strike opposed plans to increase tuition, leading to major adjustments in the institution’s management.

Early in the twenty-first century, the university continued to enhance its standing as the top institution in Latin America. New research initiatives were started, and international linkages were strengthened.

The university’s main campus was recognized for its cultural and architectural significance when it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.

In 2008, the institution commemorated the centennial of its restoration as the National University. Numerous scholarly and artistic events highlighted the university’s contribution to Mexico’s growth.

In 2010, an extensive endeavor to revamp the research infrastructure started. Modern, equipment-equipped laboratories and research institutes were constructed.

In 2011, the institution launched new offices abroad, particularly in China and France, increasing its international engagement and foreign student enrollment.

A noteworthy accomplishment in astronomy occurred in 2013: the university’s space research was instrumental in identifying the first planet in the habitable zone around the star Kepler-69c.

In 2015, the institution introduced a comprehensive digital education initiative. New online courses and creative distance learning techniques broadened access to education.

A new campus in Mérida, Yucatán, was inaugurated in 2016. This campus focuses on biotechnology research and sustainable development, increasing the institution’s reach throughout Mexico.

In 2018, the institution improved its standing in global university rankings, reaching the top 100 in several subjects, including engineering and the natural sciences.

2019, a new initiative to advance robotics and artificial intelligence research was introduced. A dedicated center assembled specialists from multiple academic departments.

In 2020, the institution expanded its virtual research and online learning capabilities in response to global challenges.

The year 2021 saw substantial growth in student social support programs. Scholarships were expanded, and new forms of financial aid were developed to guarantee access to education.

On its 100th anniversary in 2022, the institution commemorated the establishment of its symbol and motto, “Por mi raza hablará el espíritu” (The spirit shall speak through my race). Numerous intellectual and cultural events marked this milestone.

To fulfill its mission, the institution supported many theaters, museums, and other cultural establishments. As a result, it became a major hub for art and culture for students and the larger Mexican community.

The university has been a focal point of Mexican intellectual and cultural life. Numerous notable individuals in science, art, and politics have emerged from the university, including multiple Mexican presidents and Nobel Prize winners.

As a result, Mexico’s history and the university’s history are strongly entwined, with the institution’s past reflecting Mexico’s colonial era, independence struggle, revolutionary reforms, and contemporary progress. The university has played a major role in Mexico’s education and development since its founding as a colonial institution and contemporary research university.