Difference between revisions of "School:Universidad Católica del Uruguay"
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==<span id="docs-internal-guid-40ef68fe-7fff-81af-3506-62f9f516a9c1"><span style="font-size: 17pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Overview</span></span>== | ==<span id="docs-internal-guid-40ef68fe-7fff-81af-3506-62f9f516a9c1"><span style="font-size: 17pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Overview</span></span>== | ||
The '''Universidad Católica del Uruguay (UCU)''', founded in 1985, is the oldest and largest private university in Uruguay. It was the only private university in the country for more than a decade. UCU is run by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and is recognized nationally and internationally for combining academic excellence, social commitment, and innovation. | The '''Universidad Católica del Uruguay (UCU)''', founded in 1985, is the oldest and largest private university in Uruguay. It was the only private university in the country for more than a decade. UCU is run by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and is recognized nationally and internationally for combining academic excellence, social commitment, and innovation. | ||
| − | + | ||
The main campus is located in '''Montevideo (Parque Batlle)''', with additional campuses in '''Punta del Este''' and '''Salto''', and outreach centers in other regions. UCU has six academic units: '''Health Sciences, Business Sciences, Law and Human Sciences, Engineering and Technologies, UCU Business School, and the Graduate School''', with over 11,000 students. | The main campus is located in '''Montevideo (Parque Batlle)''', with additional campuses in '''Punta del Este''' and '''Salto''', and outreach centers in other regions. UCU has six academic units: '''Health Sciences, Business Sciences, Law and Human Sciences, Engineering and Technologies, UCU Business School, and the Graduate School''', with over 11,000 students. | ||
The university also operates several specialized centers, such as: | The university also operates several specialized centers, such as: | ||
| − | * | + | *'''Íthaka Center''' (Innovation & Entrepreneurship). |
*'''Ludus Center''' (Educational Innovation). | *'''Ludus Center''' (Educational Innovation). | ||
*'''Agora Center''' (Leadership and Public Life). | *'''Agora Center''' (Leadership and Public Life). | ||
Revision as of 22:12, 13 September 2025
Contents
- 1 Overview
- 2 Promoting student innovation and entrepreneurship
- 3 Actively supporting the university technology transfer function
- 4 Facilitating university-industry collaboration
- 5 Encouraging faculty innovation and entrepreneurship
- 6 Facilitating university-industry collaboration
- 7 Engaging with regional and local economic development efforts
- 8 Related Links
Overview
The Universidad Católica del Uruguay (UCU), founded in 1985, is the oldest and largest private university in Uruguay. It was the only private university in the country for more than a decade. UCU is run by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and is recognized nationally and internationally for combining academic excellence, social commitment, and innovation.
The main campus is located in Montevideo (Parque Batlle), with additional campuses in Punta del Este and Salto, and outreach centers in other regions. UCU has six academic units: Health Sciences, Business Sciences, Law and Human Sciences, Engineering and Technologies, UCU Business School, and the Graduate School, with over 11,000 students.
The university also operates several specialized centers, such as:
- Íthaka Center (Innovation & Entrepreneurship).
- Ludus Center (Educational Innovation).
- Agora Center (Leadership and Public Life).
- Ignis Center (Research on Digital Culture and Communication).
- University Health Clinics (Primary Care and Community Health).
- Berit Center (Jewish Studies).
UCU’s strategic orientation combines academic rigor, internationalization, sustainability, and innovation, aligning with Jesuit values of service and leadership.
Promoting student innovation and entrepreneurship
Main initiatives include:
- Hackathon “Suma Innovación a tu Carrera”, awarding scholarships to high school students through innovation challenges.
- LOOP Innovation Week (2018–2019) → evolved into UCU Week, held annually since 2021, where classes are suspended and students access entrepreneurial workshops, design sprints, and innovation bootcamps.
- Innovation Community (since 2020), a student-driven initiative to solve campus challenges.
- Podcast “Onda Emprendedora” and open sessions with local entrepreneurs.
- “Intervalos” Project, live student interviews with CEOs and business leaders.
Between 2023 and 2025, Íthaka launched additional programs:
- Potenciá Gastronomía: training and networking for culinary entrepreneurs.
- Mujeres que Construyen: supporting women in construction and design industries.
- Capacitaciones EDMP: training in entrepreneurial design and management practices.
- Emprendimiento que Quiere Crecer: accelerator program for scaling startups.
In 2025, UCU students joined the University Innovation Fellows (UIF) global network, consolidating UCU’s role in fostering entrepreneurship aligned with Stanford d.school and Twente University frameworks.
Actively supporting the university technology transfer function
UCU supports technology transfer and intellectual property (IP) processes through its collaboration with Agencia Nacional de Investigación e Innovación (ANII) and Íthaka. Although UCU does not yet have a fully independent Technology Transfer Office (TTO), Íthaka provides guidance on:
- Patent registration and IP rights.
- Legal mentoring for student and faculty startups.
- Seed fund competitions that include IP advisory services.
In 2024, UCU launched new training modules on IP law, startup financing, and innovation contracts, strengthening its role as a facilitator of technology transfer in Uruguay’s academic ecosystem.
Facilitating university-industry collaboration
UCU actively connects students and faculty with industry partners. Collaboration channels include:
- Íthaka Mentoring Program, linking projects with industry experts.
- Ignis Convoca, encouraging participation in international innovation contests.
- IdeasLab, a pre-incubation program to validate business models.
- Circular Opportunities, an initiative to support sustainable business models.
Employment and career integration:
- Career Fair (Feria Laboral), the largest in the country, where 80+ companies meet UCU students annually.
- UCU Job Portal (since 2023), matching students with internships and jobs.
- Professional practices in Engineering, Communication, Medicine, and Business, often developed with companies as final projects.
Academic–industry innovation:
- Engineering Promotion Fund (ANII) supports senior-year entrepreneurship projects.
- “Challenges” courses in Computer Science (team-based solutions to real problems in 3-week sprints).
- Graduate School Capstone Program, requiring every graduate student to engage in applied professional practice.
These collaborations ensure UCU graduates are prepared for interdisciplinary teamwork and market challenges.
Encouraging faculty innovation and entrepreneurship
Faculty are actively encouraged to integrate innovation in both teaching and research. The Ludus Center supports professors in adopting project-based learning, digital transformation, and AI in education, offering training and certification programs.
Professors also act as mentors within Íthaka’s programs, guiding student startups in legal, financial, and technical aspects. Several UCU faculty members are themselves entrepreneurs or serve as consultants for companies, bringing industry expertise into the classroom.
Recent highlights (2023–2025):
- Expansion of faculty mentoring networks in Íthaka programs.
- Faculty-led applied research projects with direct commercialization potential.
- Growth of interdisciplinary teaching teams, e.g., Medicine + Engineering in health-tech projects.
- Launch of faculty innovation workshops in sustainable business and circular economy.
This culture empowers professors to explore entrepreneurial pathways, while also creating role models who inspire students to pursue their own ventures.
Facilitating university-industry collaboration
The Universidad Católica del Uruguay (UCU) fosters strong connections between academia and industry, ensuring that students, faculty, and alumni engage with real-world organizations, businesses, and markets. Collaboration is promoted through structured programs, mentoring, fairs, and work-practice opportunities.
Innovation & Entrepreneurship
UCU integrates entrepreneurship with industry via several flagship programs:
- Íthaka Mentoring Program: Supports students, faculty, and alumni in developing business ideas and transforming them into startups. Each year, eight projects are selected and paired with expert mentors, including 25 academic staff members. The program also includes access to seed funds and legal mentoring from UCU professors.
- Ignis Convoca Program: Encourages participation in regional and international competitions, connecting students with global innovation networks.
- IdeasLab (pre-incubation program): Provided training, mentoring, and validation for early-stage ventures, laying the foundation for UCU’s incubation culture.
- Circular Opportunities: Although no longer active, this initiative trained entrepreneurs addressing social and environmental problems, leaving a legacy of socially responsible innovation within Íthaka.
Job Opportunities and Career Integration
UCU facilitates student access to the labor market through multiple initiatives:
- Feria Laboral: An annual career fair bringing together more than 80 companies from diverse sectors, providing information and direct hiring opportunities for UCU students.
- UCU Job Portal (since 2023): An online platform where students upload CVs and apply to internships and jobs tailored to their skills.
- On-campus internships: Opportunities for students to gain experience in administration, research centers, and technical support within the University itself.
Work-Practice Opportunities
UCU emphasizes interdisciplinary and transversal education, preparing students for today’s job market, which demands teamwork across diverse disciplines rather than isolated specialization.
- Most degrees include mandatory internships in external companies, particularly in senior years.
- Certain programs invite students to carry out joint projects with companies and academic staff, such as audiovisual production, business consulting, and content creation.
- The Engineering Department, supported by the Engineering Promotion Fund (ANII), allows senior students to complete an entrepreneurship-focused final project.
- Computer Science “Challenges” courses: Three-week innovation sprints where teams propose solutions to real societal or business problems.
- Graduate School Capstone Program: A compulsory applied project for all graduate students, directly connecting them to professional practice and industry partners.
Through these initiatives, UCU consolidates itself as a bridge between academia and industry, promoting innovation, employability, and the entrepreneurial spirit among its students and faculty.
Engaging with regional and local economic development efforts
The Uruguayan government has been strengthening the startup ecosystem through the National Agency of Research and Innovation (ANII) and the National Development Agency (ANDE). Both institutions play a central role in funding, mentoring, and supporting innovation initiatives in Uruguay. ANII provides grants for research projects, national and international postgraduate scholarships, and programs that foster an entrepreneurial culture in both public and private sectors. ANDE focuses on sustainable economic development with social equity and territorial balance.
UCU, through the Íthaka Center, is recognized as an official Sponsoring Institution of Entrepreneurship (Institución Patrocinadora de Emprendimientos – IPE) before ANII and ANDE. Thanks to this recognition, Íthaka’s pre-incubated entrepreneurs gain access to capital and resources to validate and scale their ideas.
Íthaka also runs competitions such as Tecnolog and Kenn S. George, which provide teams with workshops, mentoring, and seed capital for the winning projects. These initiatives have positioned UCU as one of the most active universities in fostering early-stage entrepreneurship in Uruguay.
Since 2023, Íthaka has partnered with Municipio CH, ANDE, and the Ministry of Interior in the “Andrés Abt Entrepreneurs’ Sentry Boxes” project, which repurposes disused police booths into spaces for entrepreneurs to showcase and sell their products. This project not only generates new job opportunities but also contributes to urban renewal and community integration.
UCU’s Strategic Plan for the Future
Aligned with its Strategic Plan 2025, UCU commits to fostering value creation in academia and society. The University’s priorities include becoming more innovative, inclusive, creative, and globally connected. UCU constantly reinvents itself through new degree programs, interdisciplinary approaches, and initiatives such as the UCU Business School and international partnerships.
Looking ahead, UCU is preparing to reinforce this commitment through the creation of a Vice-Rectorate for Innovation, which will unify and expand all entrepreneurial, technological, and creative initiatives within the institution. This new structure will act as a transversal axis across faculties, ensuring that innovation is not only a support area but also a core element of the university’s identity.
By consolidating a dedicated Vice-Rectorate for Innovation, UCU seeks to accelerate its growth, attract international collaborations, and position itself as a regional benchmark in innovation-driven higher education. This initiative will strengthen collaboration with industry, foster research commercialization, and empower students and faculty to lead projects with real and lasting impact.
Related Links
Universidad Católica del Uruguay Student Priorities
Fall 2017 Fellows
Fall 2018 Fellows
Fall 2019 Fellows
Fall 2021 Fellows
Fall 2023 Fellows
Fall 2025 Fellows
Marco Montelatici ----
Related links
Related links
