The University of the Américas Puebla (UDLAP) is a Mexican private university established in 1940 and located in San Andrés Cholula, near Puebla. The university is known for its programmes in arts and humanities, social sciences, science and engineering, and business and economics.
The university's name translates to "University of the Americas", the university motto is "the love for wisdom will enlarge us".
Since the university’s inauguration in 1940 as Mexico City college, the institution has undergone several programme additions and name changes including the creation of the graduate school in 1947, becoming a member of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and relocating to its current campus in 1970.
In 2006, 11 new bachelor's degrees and nine master's degree programmes opened, including the innovative programs at the undergraduate level in nanotechnology and molecular engineering and culinary arts. The launch of academic programmes in health sciences: medicine, odontology and nursing were announced in 2007. In 2011, the treatment plant of residual waters was inaugurated.
The campus, which serves over 8,000 undergraduate students, is made up of 38 buildings on 180 acres (728,000 m²), located 12 miles (19 km) west of Puebla's downtown. The buildings include six classroom buildings, two laboratory buildings, three on-campus dormitories, one off-campus dormitory, two soccer fields, one football field, one baseball field, two gymnasiums, tennis courts, two cafeterias, one library, one student centre, one auditorium, offices and professors' housing.
UDLAP is one of the few private universities in Mexico that invests in research. Approximately 25 per cent of the professors are members of the National System of Researchers. There were 364 publications produced between 2009 and 2011.
Despite this dedication to research the university does not fall short in sports. UDLAP has teams competing in national tournaments in several sports including football, basketball, soccer, indoor soccer, tennis, swimming, volleyball, baseball, softball, track and field and tae kwon do.The university’s sports teams are called the Aztecs. Their American football team has won three championships in the National League (ONEFA), and currently plays in the Premier League of the CONADEIP. The university was chosen as the site of the third Spanish Real Madrid youth overseas soccer school, and started activities on 7th February 2005. The UDLAP Men's basketball team is the 2006 Puebla State champions.
San Pedro Cholula is located on the state of Puebla. It is home to one of the largest pyramids in the world. Due to its proximity to Puebla, Cholula is famous for its nightlife. Some of the main attractions are the numerous temples including the Our Lady of the Remedies Church, the San Francisco Acatepec Temple and the Real Chapel, located in the main plaza.
