Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra

      

 

Historical review

More than 60 years at the service of society and science

The foundation of the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM), as the first private higher education institution, represents an important contribution of the Dominican Bishops' Conference to Dominican society, formed at that time by: Mons. Octavio Antonio Beras Rojas, Metropolitan Archbishop of Santo Domingo; Bishop Francisco Panal Ramírez, Bishop of La Vega; Mons. Juan Félix Pepén Solimán, Bishop of Altagracia, Higüey; Bishop Tomás Francisco O'Reilly, Prelate of San Juan de la Maguana, and his main ideologue, Bishop Hugo Eduardo Polanco Brito, Bishop of Santiago de los Caballeros.

At the historical moment that the University emerged, the first steps were taken towards a democratic society, after more than three decades of the Trujillo dictatorship. The foundation of the University was supported by the Dominican Episcopate and by distinguished people of Santiago, who made the first contributions for its prompt establishment. On September 9, 1962, the erection of the University was made public, dominating it "Mother and Teacher" in homage to the great social encyclical of His Holiness John XXIII. Upon erecting himself, Monsignor Polanco Brito began to carry out the steps for his academic organization.

On November 15, 1962, the work of the PUCMM began in a rented residence on Máximo Gómez street, corner of Sully Bonnelly, in the center of the city. A total of 15 professors, all by subject, and 60 students formed the nuclei of the first established faculties, which were those of Law, Education and Philosophy.

As part of the most significant contributions that the University has made to Dominican society, the following can be pointed out:

  • To be a space for open dialogue and agreement between the different social sectors of the country, with a view to establishing agreements on the national agenda and finding peaceful solutions to priority problems.
  • Contribute to the improvement of Dominican education, through:
    • Contribute to the improvement of Dominican education, through:
    • The development of action-research projects that contribute to improving teaching practice and students' cognitive skills.
    • Carrying out research in the areas of Basic Sciences, especially in Physics and Mathematics, contributing new knowledge to them, as well as in other areas.
    • Promoting the development of reading and writing in the first levels of training, among other initiatives.
  • The implementation of a successful financial aid program, which has allowed talented students to access a quality education, but who lack financial resources.
  • The development of community service programs for education and prevention of social, environmental and health problems, in the most disadvantaged areas and with the greatest risks.
  • Having been a pioneer in offering innovative study programs, in response to the development needs of the country, through comprehensive training, promoting Christian values ​​and ethical and moral principles in its students, as well as developing their artistic potential and ability of leadership. The careers in which the University was a precursor are:
    • Business Administration
    • Hotel Administration
    • Public administration
    • Nursing
    • Geology and Mining Engineering
    • Electromechanical engineering
    • Electronic Engineering
    • Telematics Engineering​​
    • Industrial engineering
    • Computer and systems engineering
    • Engineering Technology
    • Social work
  • The establishment, from its origins, of international relations with outstanding educational institutions and financial organizations, which has allowed not only the recognition of the country, but has also enabled professionals to have access to work and study opportunities abroad.

Account of main institutional events

  • Foundation of the University.
  • Beginning of teaching in a residence on Máximo Gómez street, Sully Bonelly corner, in the center of the city of Santiago.
  • The Dominican State, through Law 6150, recognizes legal personality to the University and the right to grant academic titles.
  • The Dominican government includes in its budget an annual grant for the University.
  • Start of UCMM-AID-St. Louis University, for the specialization and training of teaching and administrative staff.

  • Transfer of the University to the current Campus of Santiago.
  • Celebration of the first graduation of Law, Business Administration and Education professionals.
  • The University and the Higher Institute of Agriculture sign a cooperation agreement to offer the degree in Agricultural Engineering.
  • Implementation of the collaboration agreement with the United Nations Fund for the development of Engineering.
  • Review of regulations and statutory amendments. Integration of the Board of Directors.
  • Beginning of the First BID-UCMM Institutional Development Program.
  • Creation of the extensions of Bonao and Puerto Plata, the Office of Interns and Graduates and the Center for Dominican Studies.

  • Implementation of the new academic and administrative structure of the University.
  • Creation of the Editorial Department and birth of the magazine “Eme-Eme, Estudios Dominicanos”.
  • Opening of the "Rafael M. Moscoso" Herbarium.
  • Start of the services of the Pension and Retirement Plan.
  • Beginning of the II BID-UCMM Program, to consolidate the academic and administrative areas.
  • The Dominican State donates the Hotel Montemar to the University, for the development of a vocational technical program of Hotel Training.
  • Inauguration of the Administration and General Services Building.
  • Construction of the University Theatre.
  • Creation of the Department of Continuing Education and Technical Assistance (DECAT).

  • Implementation of the new academic and administrative structure of the University.
  • Creation of the Editorial Department and birth of the magazine “Eme-Eme, Estudios Dominicanos”.
  • Opening of the "Rafael M. Moscoso" Herbarium.
  • Start of the services of the Pension and Retirement Plan.
  • Beginning of the II BID-UCMM Program, to consolidate the academic and administrative areas.
  • The Dominican State donates the Hotel Montemar to the University, for the development of a vocational technical program of Hotel Training.
  • Inauguration of the Administration and General Services Building.
  • Construction of the University Theatre.
  • Creation of the Department of Continuing Education and Technical Assistance (DECAT).

  • Opening of the “Incháustegui Archive” in the Santiago Campus Library.
  • Publication of the magazine "Mágister", specialized in physical-mathematical matters.
  • Start of work at the Santo Tomás de Aquino Campus, in Santo Domingo.
  • Creation of the Mother and Teacher Foundation.
  • Offer of services by teachers and students in the health area in peripheral health care centers for the benefit of the marginalized sectors of the region.

  • Commissioning of the Senior Management, Research and Graduate Center of the Santo Tomás de Aquino Campus.
  • Erection of the University Parish of the Campus of Santiago, under the invocation of "Our Lady of the Annunciation".
  • Opening of the Center for Business Studies and Services (CEYSE) and the Center for Urban and Regional Studies (CEUR).
  • Celebration of the Silver Jubilee of the University.
  • Canonical Erection and Pontifical Exaltation, by His Holiness John Paul II.

  • Opening of the Santo Tomás de Aquino School in the Santo Domingo Campus.
  • Opening of the Santa Rosa de Lima School in the Puerto Plata Extension.
  • Implementation of the Project for the Support of Democratic Initiatives (AID-PUCMM) in the Santo Tomás de Aquino Campus.
  • Opening of the Juan XXIII School on the Santiago Campus.
  • Visit to the country of His Holiness John Paul II.
  • Creation of the John Paul II Heritage Fund with an initial contribution from His Holiness John Paul II.

  • Beginning of the Higher Education Program for Adults (PROESA), with careers in Business Administration and Law.
  • Commissioning of a new academic structure on the Santiago Campus.
  • Start of the Automation Project of the University Library System.
  • Inauguration of the ¨Juan XXIII¨ Primary Care Center, in the southern area of ​​Santiago, PUCMM-SESPAS-KELLOGG FOUNDATION project.
  • Opening of the ¨Hugo Eduardo Polanco Brito¨ Room and Archive, in the Santiago Campus Library.
  • The process of installing the information system, internal administration and data network for the decentralization of academic processes on the Santiago Campus has concluded.

  • Beginning of the management and reception of courses via satellite in the Santo Tomás de Aquino Campus.
  • Application of the new Academic Regulations.
  • Reflection meeting of the University Community in the Jubilee Year, with the special presence of Their Eminences Pio Cardenal Laghi and Nicolás de Jesús Cardenal López Rodríguez.
  • Signature of the Agreement with the Secretary of State for Health for the development of Medical Residency Programs.
  • Consecration and inauguration of the Parish of Our Lady of the Annunciation.
  • Dedication of the former parish church on the Santiago campus as a chapel to Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
  • Creation of the Center for the Study, Prevention and Resolution of Conflicts (CEPREC).

  • Signing of the agreement to start the Consolidation and Expansion Plan of the University, through financing from the French Development Agency and the Societé de Promotion et de Participation pour la Cooperation Économique (PROPARCO).
  • Creation of the Center for Research in Education and Development (CIEDHUMANO).
  • Creation of the Dean of Graduate Studies. - Creation of the Center for Technology and Permanent Education (TEP).
  • Application of a new organizational structure.
  • Creation of the Vice-Rectory for Inter-institutional Relations, Research and Innovation.
  • Agreement with Disney Corporation and Tompkins Cortland Community College of the State University of New York.

  • Evaluation of the University, within the framework of the process of Quinquennial Evaluation of the Quality of Dominican Higher Education Institutions.
  • Inauguration of the Graduate Building, in Santo Domingo, and the Natural Sciences Internship Building, on the Santiago Campus.
  • Implementation of a new English program.
  • Obtaining the UNESCO-Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Prize by the Center of Excellence for Teacher Training (CETT) of the University.
  • Opening of the first Nanoscience laboratory in the Dominican Republic, through a strategic alliance with the National Fund for Innovation and Scientific and Technological Development (FONDOCYT), of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MESCyT).
  • Inauguration of the Student Center in Santo Domingo.
  • Creation of the Industrial Safety, Occupational Health and Environment Unit.
  • Creation of the Vice-Rectory for International Relations and Cooperation (VRIC) and the Vice-Rectory for Graduate Studies.
  • Approval of the new Regulation of Teachers and Teaching Career.
  • Declaration of the PUCMM as "Educational Heritage of Santiago", by the Municipal Council of the City Council.
  • Creation of the Center of Excellence for Research and Dissemination of Reading and Writing (CEDILE) and the Curriculum Development Center (CDC).
  • Declaration of the Santo Tomás de Aquino Campus as a Campus.
  • Inauguration of a stomatological clinic and a postgraduate parking building in Santo Domingo.

  • Creation of the Transversal Academic Literacy Program by the Center of Excellence for Research and Dissemination of Reading and Writing (CEDILE).
  • Launch of the UNESCO Chair in Teacher Training and Research in Reading and Writing.
  • Implementation of the digital version of the admission exam.
  • Creation of the Directorate of General Safety, Health and Environment.
  • Implementation of online teacher evaluation.
  • Inauguration of the Graduate Building on the Santiago Campus.
  • Creation of the Center for Constitutional Studies and Political Law.
  • Organization of the International Congress: "Catholics and public life", jointly with the Angelicum Foundation, of Chile.