Universidad del Norte was created on January 24, 1966, when a group of enterprise leaders, led by Mr. Karl C. Parrish, representing the National Association of Industrialists (Andi), the Barranquilla Foundation, known today as the Mario Santodomingo Foundation and the Colombian Institute of Administration (Incolda) wrote the act which proclaimed the university as a center of higher education. Later that same year, July 11th, under the presidency of Engineer Julio Muvdi, the University initiated its academic task in the Prado neighborhood. At the time of its opening, the university had 58 students and 10 professors for the basic cycles of Business Administration and Engineering.

On November 20, 1971, the then president of the Republic of Colombia, Misael Pastrana Borrero placed the first stone of the university's foundation. At that time, the economist Jose Tcherassi Guzmán was serving as President of the university and the institution had 1,027 students. In that same year the ICFES approved the Industrial Engineering and Mechanical Engineering programs; also, it granted the necessary licenses for the opening of the Psychology program.

In 1973, the university was officially inaugurated at its site on KM 5 of the highway to Puerto Colombia, thanks to the economic support of numerous companies that were united to the effort as founding donors. The main contribution being six acres of land from the Caribbean Cement Company (Cementos del Caribe). The construction of the first three buildings of the university was made possible thanks to a large donation of funds for part from the Andi Foundation; these resources were reinforced even more with donations from other companies. On February 22, 1973, the National Government officially recognized Universidad del Norte as a Center for Higher Education, by means of the 263rd Decree of 1973, signed by the President of the Republic and the Ministry of Education.

In April of that same year, engineer Julio Muvdi (Directive Council Advisor) assumed the presidency again. During his management, the following actions happened:

In December of 1973, Engineer Boris Rosanía Salive became President of the University. During his supervision the following occurred: The creation of the Health Sciences Division with the opening of the Medicine and Nursing programs, and the Preschool Education Program started under the direction of Psychologist Juan José Amar Amar. The Research Center of the Universidad del Norte, the CIUN, was also created. The research center is in charge of scientific research activities held by professors and students to help enrich the stated curriculum of the university. The Ministry of National Education approved the Psychology Program, and ICFES granted the license for operation of the Preschool Education Program at an expert level.

The third stage of the university's newly found development included a block for laboratories of several disciplines, an amphitheatre, facilities for human morphology, various classrooms and educational offices. A postgraduate program in University Education Methodology was designed and developed and piloted. This program improved of teacher performance and the stimulated interest of investigative activities.

At this time the Business Administration and Technology programs were in motion, as well as Industrial Relations, Costs Analysis, and Mechanical and Industrial Engineering. In 1974, a project with the ICBF (Colombian Institute of Family Welfare) was created, nowadays called the Atlantic Coast Project, with the purpose of giving attention to children from 0 to 7 years in the marginalized districts of Barranquilla and to the "La Playa" urbanization.

In 1977, the Civil Engineering Program and the construction of the second and third floors of classrooms for the E Block began, thus expanding the physical structure. With the appointment of Dr Jesus Ferro Bayona in 1980, philosopher and Doctor in Social Sciences, a stage of institutional and academic consolidation began and the presence of Universidad del Norte was reaffirmed at a national and international level.

In that same year, many reaffirming actions had taken place. The ground and material testing labs "Joaquin Ruiseco" were inaugurated, donated by Cementos del Caribe; likewise, a technological renovation of the Computer Center was obtained with the first donation of a computer on behalf of IBM, as well as computer equipment mainframes (macro computers) donated by Cervecería Aguila. ICFES approved the Medicine program and the following year the Systems Engineering program and they granted an operation license to the Law program. In 1981, the launching of Huellas Magazine happenned and the international program of Student Interchange began with the ISEP Agreement between the North American University and Universidad del Norte.

With the 113th Agreement, in 1983, the Business Administration and project Evaluation Masters were opened, the latter Open University. With these graduate studies programs the first programs of specialization began in the Caribbean Coast. Similarly, with the official presentation of the first book of Uninorte Editions, the University began a new stage of diffusion of cultural and academic thought in the city. In 1989, through an agreement with Universidad del Valle, Uninorte initiated the Masters in Mathematics, and the Masters in Education, in association with Universidad Javeriana. In 1993, the university had 11 undergraduate programs, 6 masters and 5 specializations; the University initiated the construction of the new library.

1994 constitutes a crucial year for the University, given that the ICFES and Colciencias approved Uninorte as the regional node of the CETCOL network (Science, Education and Technology) to provide access to the world-wide network, Internet. Additionally, the University signed an agreement of academic and scientific cooperation with the University of Mainz in Germany, as well as an agreement with the University of Paris XII, with the purpose of fortifying the Masters in Social Development and simultaneously obtaining the French state title in education and obtaining our accreditation at an international level. In this same year, the President of the Republic, Dr. Ernesto Samper Pizano, names the director, Dr Jesus Ferro Bayona, member of the National Council of Competitiveness, one of the strategic organisms of the national economic policy. In October of 1994, the General Library of Uninorte opened its doors. Because of its size, technology and academic resources, the library constitutes a monumental work for the University's community.

In that same year, the directors of the University signed an agreement with the prestigious Mayo Clinic from Jacksonville, Florida. By doing so, the academic activities in the health department were crystallized. Also, an agreement with the Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Spain was signed in order that both universities offer, starting 1995, the first Industrial Management Doctorate in Engineering for the Caribbean Coast. Cementos del Caribe also had donated 22 thousand square meters to the institution. The growth possibilities of the university were expanded.

Uninorte participated, in this same year, in the Academia Formation Project for Latin America, ALFA, created by the European Commission, with the objective of promoting cooperation between higher learning institutions in Latin America and Europe. In the framework of this program, Uninorte received the approval of five academic networks, the coordination of two networks and the adherence to four international networks. The University's President, Dr. Jesús Ferro Bayona, signed an agreement for academic and scientific cooperation with the Mainz University. Several German visiting professors have already participated in the exchange, and new groups of professionals will continue visiting our facilities in the following years.

On January 20,1995, Dr, Ernesto Samper Pizano officially inaugurated the new library and the Audiovisual Resources Center. Universidad del Norte joins the National Accreditation System in 1995, along with a select group of national universities, with the purpose of evaluating the institution and obtaining the respective accreditation, thus allowing the institution to guarantee the highest quality requirements are being met. In the framework of this accreditation and self-evaluation process, Uninorte received, in February 1996, a commission from the ABET, Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, an organization supported by the Education Department of the United States of America and the Higher Education Accreditation Counsel, as the only agency responsible for the accreditation of educational programs leading to a graduate level of Engineering in the country.

Also, Colciencias approved the Immune and Molecular Biology Investigations Program of Universidad del Norte. The activities carried out by the Immune and Molecular Biology Development Investigation Center, CIDIBIM, have been recognized by the National Science and Technology Council as a National program of Science and Technology in the activities of scientific research through the 003 resolution.

The Human Development Investigation Center, CIDHUM, was created on March 26, 1996, by Resolution 15 of the Presidency, but its activities as a research group were created in 1977, with the approval of the first Van Leer Foundation Project to Uninorte in the child development. Starting in the first semester of 1996, the Electronic Engineering program began, and the Universidad el Norte and Francisco de Paula Santander from Cúcuta, signed a cooperation agreement for the development of the Health Services Management Specialization in the city of Cúcuta.

Uninorte and the Colombian Institute of Technical Norms, ICONTEC, agreed on an Academic and Inter-institutional cooperation for the design and implementation of Postgraduate studies and programs for continuing education in areas which are common to both entities.

Continuing with the task of strengthening the access to advanced formation, in the second semester of 1996 activities for the Masters in Philosophy and the Specializations in Nursing under Maternal Infantile, Neurology and Neurosurgery began, as well as Public Management and Economy.

In a special ceremony which took place the 22nd of August of 1996, the Directive Council and the Presidency of the University celebrated the thirtieth anniversary of the Alma Mater. Within the framework of the event, a tribute to the founding directors and the first presidents was held. Several regional governmental organizations conferred a series of remarkable distinctions to the Institution.

The Director of Uninorte was invited by the Ministry of Education to be part of the National Commission for the Development of Higher Education, which was inaugurated in Bogota on July 4th by the President of the Republic, Dr Ernesto Samper and Dr. Maria Emma Mejía.

On October 2, 1996, collaboration between the University of Huelva, Spain and Uninorte was carried out developing bilateral activities. In March of 1997, Uninorte wrote an agreement with the University of Lyon (France), to create the Specialization in Management and Cultural Development, with emphasis and projection for the Caribbean region. As of 1997, a new modality within the interchange programs began: the Multilateral ISEP (International Student Exchange Program), in which Universities of countries like Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Holland, Korea, Argentina, Brazil and Mexico participated.

From the second semester of 1997, Uninorte opened Specializations in Organizational Development and Human Processes, Negotiation and Handling of Conflicts, offered in agreement with the Chamber of Commerce of Barranquilla. Also, the University signed an agreement with the Educative Foundation "Cerrejón Zona Norte", FECEN, to offer the Specialization in Pedagogical Processes.

August 21, 1997, the official inauguration of the new facilities of the Language Institute of Uninorte was held. With the construction of this site, the University was the first educative institution in the country that implemented the construction system using prefabricated PVC panels, thus counting on elements pertinent to an intelligent building. The Institute offers teaching, investigation and services, in the internal programs in both undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as external programs directed towards professionals, companies and the community in general. Within the advanced formation course, the Institute has offered, since 1995, the Specialization in English Teaching, with the collaboration of the Department of English of the University of Liverpool, England, through an agreement with the British Council.

On that same date, the Electronic Room of the General Library was placed in service for the university community, with a centralized consultation system through the internet and a CD ROM servant system which works as a multi-user. In addition, the stained-glass art titled "Eternity" by architect Zulma Buendía, located in the left wing of the library, was inaugurated.

The 10th of July, at the Hydraulic Laboratory of Las Flores, the delivery and presentation of the "Technical and Economic Feasibility for the deepening of the access channels to the harbor terminals of Barranquilla" study, was elaborated by Uninorte with the support of the Dutch company Haskoning. This project presented the developments of the investigative works and situation diagnosis of the Magdalena River.

On August 8, the mayor of Cartagena, Dr Guillermo Paniza, in cooperation with the President of Uninorte, Dr. Jesus Ferro Bayona, began the Degree on Psycho- affective Development and the program "Abilities to live better".

On October 23, 1997 the inauguration of the First Stage of the Hospital Universidad el Norte, a Health Services Institution, (IPS in Spanish) took place. The hospital was designed to offer health assistance with a familiar medicine approach to the populations with limited resources in the municiples of Soledad and the District of Barranquilla.

On February 1998, the directors of Uninorte celebrated with an ecumenical ceremony, the 25 years of work within the academic campus. Representatives from the Catholic, Hebrew, Presbyterian and Evangelical churches were present, as well as the directors of the Institution, teachers and the student community.

With great success the III International Congress for Human Development was held in March of 1998: Focusing on the XXI century, it was organized by the Human Development Investigation Center, CIDHUM. Many prestigious professors, personalities and intellectuals of Latin America, Europe and Mexico were present.

In the month of May, the university community had a chance to witness all the modalities of European culture through Cátedra Europa, which had guests from France, Spain, Germany, Italy and Great Britain. With all of these countries Uninorte tightened their academic and cultural bonds.

In August 1998, the directors inaugurated the most modern Robotics Laboratory in the country. This Automatization and Robotics Laboratory is at the service of the country and for its technological dowry - Israeli and North American. It is one of the most modern and advanced labs of the nation. Its infrastructure is oriented towards investigation, teaching and external services and is an invaluable support for the formation processes of the undergraduate and postgraduate students of the University. Colciencias highlighted Universidad del Norte as one of the private universities of the country that makes more investigations and invests more in this matter on the national scope.

Also during the progresses of this month, Uninorte obtained an operation contract from the Scientific Research Center of the Hydraulic Research Laboratory of Las Flores, which was attained by Cormagdalena through a public hearing.

On August 28th 1998, the First promotion of Communicators received their graduate diplomas. 14 young people obtained their title as Social Communicator and Journalists with Emphasis in Production and Media Management. Uninorte FM Stereo "The cultured alternative of radio in Barranquilla" reached its 15th year of operation in the month of September. For their celebration they offered a concert in the Amira de la Rosa Theater, with the Cuban group "Camerata Romeu".

The Culture Festival, organized by the Cultural Center Cayena of Uninorte, with the sponsorship of Cultural Fund of Promigas S.A., celebrated its 10 year anniversary in September of 1998. The Festival was a launching platform for the rising local talents as well as a space in which newcomers and experts could show their art and express their thoughts, experiences and artistic evolution.

As a definitive contribution to the consolidation of the relations of Universidad el Norte with the countries of the European Union, the directors of Uninorte and the University Johannes Gutenberg of Mainz, Germany signed a new agreement on November 20th of 1998. The agreement included governmental and nongovernmental interchange with universities and institutions of America and Europe among others. A group of professors of Uninorte, in cooperation with Superbrix Company, developed a new project named "Horno quemador de cascarilla de arroz TEO III", which simultaneously allows significant improvements in the productivity of the agro-industrial entrepreneurs and likewise helps the preservation of natural resources.

The Hydraulic Research Laboratory of Las Flores, which is technically and scientifically managed by Universidad del Norte, presented to the directors of Cormagdalena, regional corporations, ex-ministers and civil employees of the Coastal departments, the "Environmental Restoration Plan of the degraded Ecosystems of the Dique Canal," which aimed to fulfill the 260th Resolution of the Ministry of Environment, whose objective is sediment control, the maintenance of navigation in most of the channel and the restoration of the sewer "El Estero."

In January of 1999, the directors of Uninorte inaugurated the Multimedia Laboratory of the Language Institute, which contributes to improve the quality of the learning of foreign languages, to practice international relations and to widen students' culture. The Laboratory is equipped with the latest in computer science advances and provided with state-of-the-art programs for languages education which furthermore reinforces the virtual university project.

The National Accreditation Council, CNA, accredited the Industrial Engineering Program of Uninorte in 1999, making this program the first undergraduate program to be accredited in the Coast and second on national scale. This recognition is important if you take into consideration that there are only 278 institutions of higher education (technical, technological and university) and 4,168 undergraduate programs within the national context.

From April 12th to the 16th the second version of the Cátedra Europa program was held, which again relied upon the participation of outstanding European personalities who presented cultural, scientific and educational vies of the invited countries: France, Greece, and Russia.

With the intention of developing basic skills for investigation, Universidad del Norte opened the Masters in Education in 1999, placing itself as the first institution of higher education in the country that offered this type of program.

Uninorte presented to Cormagdalena, in May of 1999, the feasibility study of the Environmental Restoration Plan of the Degraded Ecosystems of the area of influence of the Dique Canal, done by the Hydraulic Laboratory of Las Flores between July 98 and April 1999. With this plan the university sought to diminish the sedimentation of the water bodies to mitigate the environmental damages and to guarantee that the different productive activities from the zone register into the concept of sustainable development.

Identities, citizenship, migration and displacements in the Caribbean, were the main topics of the IV Seminar of Caribbean Studies, which took place in August of 1999. The seminar had outstanding writers and essayists from Spain, Puerto Rico, USA, Cuba, Brazil, Germany, France, Venezuela and Colombia. The event was organized by Universidad del Norte, Universidad del Atlantico and the Regional Commission of Science and Technology.

Universidad del Norte initiated the New Program of Spanish Language Teaching for Foreigners, which began with a group of diplomats, civil employees of the ministries of foreign trade and Caribbean professors. This program depends upon the auspice of the Colombian Agency of International Cooperation and the Vice-presidency of the Republic.

The directors of Uninorte celebrated in August the National Accreditation granted by the National Ministry of Education to the programs of Industrial Engineering and Systems Engineering. The Systems Engineering program is constituted as the first program in this area that has been accredited in the country. With these accreditations, Uninorte leads the processes of self-evaluation and quality of academic programs for higher education of the Caribbean Coast.

With the participation of more than a thousand people, in September 1999, the First Alliance Encounter for the Improvement of Education was held, organized by the Universidad del Norte, with the support of Uniatlántico, Telecaribe, Tiempo Caribe, Fenalco, Andi, Regional Commission of Sciences and Technology, Chamber of Commerce, Conaced, the PNUD and Fundesarrollo.

The National Government granted, in August of 1999, the Luis Lopez de Meza medal and parchment to Universidad del Norte, recognizing it as one of the best universities of the country. The recognition was given by the President of the Republic, Dr. Andrés Pastrana Arango for the high educative quality levels reached by Uninorte.

Uninorte, was invited by the National Government to represent the country in the IX Conference of Governments from the Americas, held in Otawa, Canada in September. Dean Jose Amar Amar, from the Humanities and Science Division traveled to represent the University in company of the First Lady of the Nation, Mrs. Nohora Puyana de Pastrana. Dr. Amar presented the subject "A beginning: An investment in children from 0 to 6 years of age," as well as the advances and programs developed by the Atlantic Coast Project.

In September of 1999, Universidad del Norte initiated, through the Center of Continued Education, CEC, the program Cátedra Colombia with the purpose of providing spaces of reflection in the political, economic and social fields as well as in national current events. The first guest was doctor Gustavo Bell Lemus, vice-president of the Republic who engaged in a dialog with the leaders and industrialists on "Colombia in the crossroads". The President of Uninorte, Dr Jesus Ferro Bayona, was chosen main member of the Administration Council of the board of directors of the Colombian Association of Universities, ASCUN.

On November 11th 1999, Universidad del Norte culminated its participation in intervention contracts in the workings of dredged, environmental supervision and control monitors in the Access Channel to the Port of Barranquilla. This process was executed by a group of engineers from Uninorte.

Universidad del Norte, in favor of experiences that allow citizens of our region to approach knowledge and culture of other nations, created the Cátedra Fulbright for the enrichment of their academic and cultural perspective. This began in August and its objective is to facilitate a space of academic reflection on social, economic, political and cultural transformations of our region and of the United States.

With the purpose of preparing a greater number of educators of the region in Mathematics, Universidad del Norte, in agreement with Universidad del Valle, started the Masters in Mathematics, directed to mathematicians, lawyers in mathematics, statistical engineers, and professionals with solid formation in this area. Uninorte's President, Dr Jesus Ferro Bayona, made a series of official visits to North American institutions such as University of Saint Thomas, Miami, and to the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, with the purpose of formalizing a series of academic agreements. Dr. Ferro traveled in company of the International Relations Director, engineer Jeannie Caicedo and engineer Yesid Donoso, professor of Networks in the Systems Engineering program.

More than 30 micro-industrialists on the Atlantic Coast have benefited from the collaboration of more than 50 students of Universidad del Norte. These students were part of a pilot plan of the Administrative Research Laboratory, a project of the Administrative Sciences Division of Uninorte and the Enterprise Development Department, of the Government of the Atlantic department, with the purpose of deigning support programs that generate a greater business performance in the region.

On April of 2000 the third version of Cátedra Europe took place in the university, organized by the Academic Secretary, which had the following countries as guests: Germany, France and Portugal. Within the framework of the event, an acknowledgement to the University of Mainz was made and was received by the scholar Josef Reiter.

With the purpose of extending and spreading the knowledge on the European Union, Universidad del Norte presented the Europe Seminar 2000, which depended on the auspice of the Ministry of Foreign Relations and the Delegation of the European Commission for Colombia and Ecuador. The main subjects were relationships and economic, political, cultural and scientific interchanges between the European Union and Colombia.

The Academic Council of Uninorte gave the "Roble Amarillo" medal to the Minister of Education German Bula Escobar, who was distinguished by his work and his desire to contribute to the improvement of Colombian education. The French Embassy in Colombia, The French-Colombian Alliance and Universidad del Norte signed an agreement of inter-institutional cooperation with the intention of offering the education of the French language to the students of the undergraduate programs of Uninorte. The agreement was formalized by the Ambassador, Dr. Guy Azais and the President of Uninorte, Dr Jesus Ferro Bayona.

The directors of Uninorte, at the service of the university community, inaugurated a new and modern computer science room, with more than 70 computers, located in block B. The new room is connected to Uninorte's Institutional Network "Roble Amarillo", through fiber optic cable, which allows access to all interior and exterior computer science services. During the event, a plaque was awarded in recognition to the company Monomeros Colombo Venezolano, S.A., which donated the equipment for the new room.

In June, Universidad del Norte launched the television program, "Growing in family." It was made specifically for the psycho-affective development of the affected families in the earthquake of the Eje Cafetero. This program was created as a result of the investigation that Uninorte initiated in 1990, looking for an answer in psycho-affective education to prevent and to promote integral health of the individual. This program was endorsed by the Ministry of Education has showed positive results.

In the month of August, the National and Departmental Governments, as well as the Directive Council, professors, students and civil employees rendered a felt tribute to the Director, Dr Jesus Ferro Bayona, for his 20 years at the service of Universidad del Norte and the community.

In September, the directors of Uninorte inaugurated the second stage of the Hospital Universidad del Norte, a project of great social impact that has benefited more than 100 thousand people from stratas 1, 2 and 3. This second stage includes the Infantile Maternal Room, integral attention to pregnant women, and an area for the care of newborns.

The Cultural Center Cayena celebrated the XII Culture Festival, in September, during which a tribute to the Colombian cultural patrimony and XII National Encounter of Literature focused on "Literature of the Great Caribbean."

In July, the community received a visit of the director in chief of the Bernard Van Leer Foundation of Holland, Dr. Rien Van Gendt and the project official of this same Foundation, Dr. Marc Mataheru. The directors shared with the community members who have benefited from the Atlantic Coast Project the aspects of the visit. Later they met with the civil employees of the Project, who presented the programs that they have been developing with the University.

With the intention of enriching the cultural and academic understanding, with an international outlook, the University initiated the Cátedra Fulbright-Uninorte, in which the first conference dealt with the subject "Cultural and social processes: In search of convergence." The objective of the Cátedra Fulbright is to provide a space of academic reflection around the social, economical political and cultural transformations of our region and the United States of America.

The Minister of Education, Dr German Bula Escobar and Uninorte's President, Dr Jesus Ferro Bayona, signed a support agreement for the Delfos Association, Caribbean region: Pedagogical appropriation and the use of Communication and Information Technologies in the Teaching-Learning Process.

In July, the second version of the Spanish Course for Foreigners took place. 30 students of the West Indies University of Jamaica and a Swedish engineer participated. This interchange program depended on the auspices of the Colombian Agency of International Cooperation, ICFES, and the support of the Regional Commission of Science and Technology. The program works to not only teach the Spanish language, but to enrich the university community with experiences and interchanges in their daily relations with other cultures.

In October the directors of Uninorte inaugurated internally the Cultural and Sports Coliseum. This modern building has the capacity for three thousand people and offers its services to the university community. It has a multiple court with fixed and retractable stands for sports like basketball, volleyball and indoor soccer. In addition it has tennis courts, dance and aerobics rooms, a gymnasium and weight room, music and arts room and a student hall. It's equipped with an adaptable scene, illumination and sound cabins, radio transmission systems and a press room. The University's Wellness office and the Cultural Center Cayena office are located here as well.

Universidad del Norte inaugurated in October the first Expouninorte Fair 2000, in which the investigative work of professors, researchers and students linked to the scientific and technological activities of the Institution. The Fair was made with all the international specifications of a science exhibition. During the event, a cycle of scientific conferences were made and the first Practices and Investigation Encounter, which focused on "Enterprise practice and its contribution to the investigation in Business Administration", happened.

Cartagena hosted in December the First Latin American Encounter of Andrology, organized by Uninorte and the Spanish Association of Andrology. This event congregated for the first time, in an international scope, outstanding specialists in the area of andrology, urology, genetics, psychology and biology, other specialists, and students of Male sexual and reproductive health. Participants from Spain, Chile, Venezuela, Argentina, Portugal and Colombia were present.

The Ministry of Education, through the National Council of Accreditation, CNA, granted accreditation to the programs of Psychology, Medicine and Mechanical Engineering. In the year 2000, several university professionals stood out on the national scope. The President of the Republic, Dr Andrés Pastrana named Dr Jesus Ferro Bayona a main member of the National Council of Science and Technology, a grand organization of the Direction and Coordination of the National System of Science and Technology whose policies are executed by Colciencias.

The National Council of Higher Education, a section of the Ministry of Education, named Dr Alberto Roa Varelo, Academic Vice-President, a member of the National Council of Accreditation, CNA. The National Council of Science and Technology chose as an advisor of the Science and Technology Program, Dr. Jose Amar Amar, dean of the Division of Humanities and Social Sciences of Uninorte. Engineer Javier Páez, dean of the Division of Engineering, was also named advisor of the National Technological, Industrial and Quality Development Program.

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