2016 Yearbook - Universidad ORT Uruguay

5 INSTITUTIONAL OVERVIEW Universidad ORT Uruguay accredited by the Ministry of Education and Culture in September 1996. It offers 62 professional degrees at the graduate, undergraduate, and short-term levels in Architecture, Engineering, Biotechnology, Management, Economics, International Relations, Design, Animation, Communication, and Education. More than 10,000 students enroll annually in programs across five schools and institutes. ORT, founded in 1942 as a technical school, has been a pioneer in introducing new academic programs and educational technologies in Uruguay. Each year, it dedicates significant resources to the continuous improvement of teaching and research methods, educational infrastructure, and faculty training. The academic staff includes more than 1,400 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 17,000 graduates are successfully employed, in many cases in business or social ventures they have created themselves. The academic infrastructure includes practical and experimental 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 more than 170 universities and international organizations worldwide to facilitate student exchanges and collaborative research and teaching projects.