2014 Yearbook - Universidad ORT Uruguay

5 INSTITUTIONAL OVERVIEW Universidad ORT Uruguay, founded in 1942 as a technical school, was recognized as a university by the Ministry of Education and Culture in September 1996. It offers 63 professional degrees at the graduate, undergraduate, and short-term and technical levels in Architecture, Engineering, Biotechnology, Management, Economics, International Relations, Design, Animation, Communication, and Education. More than 12,500 students are enrolled in programs across five schools and institutes. ORT has been a pioneer in introducing new degree programs and educational technologies in Uruguay. Each year, it dedicates significant resources to improving teaching and research methods, educational infrastructure, and faculty training. The academic staff includes more than 1,300 faculty members and researchers, selected for their professional excellence and commitment to teaching, more than a third of whom work on a full-time basis. The educational philosophy promotes critical thinking, the pursuit of quality, innovation, an entrepreneurial spirit, and respect for ethical standards in professional practice. Graduates and students are distinguished by their professional and creative contributions in their fields, earning awards and recognition and achieving high levels of employment. More than 15,000 graduates are successfully working in our country or abroad, in many cases in business or social ventures they have created themselves. The academic infrastructure includes practice and experimentation laboratories in computer science, electronics, and biotechnology; videoconferencing rooms; design, technology, and 3D prototyping workshops; and a professional TV studio. Students and faculty have access to two libraries with specialized collections and electronic databases. ORT is a member of major international academic associations, including the International Association of Universities (AIU) and the Union of Latin American Universities (UDUAL). It is a member of World ORT, an international educational network founded in 1880 by the Jewish community of St. Petersburg, Russia. It maintains academic cooperation agreements with 160 universities and international organizations worldwide to facilitate student exchanges and collaborative research and teaching projects.