UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL DE LOJA

The National University of Loja (UNL) is a public, autonomous, and non-profit higher education institution founded in 1859 in southern Ecuador. With over 160 years of history, UNL has become one of the country’s most traditional universities, offering 47 undergraduate and 44 postgraduate programs across five faculties. Its academic work spans areas such as health, education, engineering, law, agricultural sciences, and social sciences, with a strong focus on addressing regional and national development challenges. UNL’s mission is to train professionals with solid scientific and technical knowledge, grounded in ethics, social responsibility, and inclusiveness. Its vision is to be Ecuador’s leading sustainable public university, driving academic innovation and contributing to human development. These guiding principles are complemented by core values such as democratic participation, sustainability, and strong societal engagement. Through its Institutional Development Strategic Plan (PEDI) 2024–2028, UNL reaffirms its commitment to transformation and international cooperation. The plan was built collectively with more than 1,600 participants and defines strategic objectives, measurable indicators, and key projects to strengthen teaching, research, innovation, and social outreach. With this framework, UNL positions itself as a partner for South–South collaboration, contributing knowledge, talent, and innovative solutions to shared global challenges.