Simón Bolívar University (Venezuela)

The Simón Bolívar University (Universidad Simón Bolívar in Spanish) or USB, is a public institution divided in two branches, one in Miranda state and one in Vargas state, with scientific and technological orientation. The Simón Bolívar University is arguably the most prestigious science and technology university in Venezuela and one of the most important ones in South America. It is the most selective higher education school in the country admitting only the 95th percentile of its standardized admission test.

For other universities, see Simón Bolívar University (Colombia) and Simón Bolívar University (Mexico).

Simón Bolívar University
Universidad Simón Bolívar
Motto
"La Universidad del Futuro"
Motto in English
"The University of the Future"
TypePublic
Established1967
RectorEnrique Planchart
Academic staff
850 (approx.) (2016)
Students15,415 (USB 2016)
Undergraduates6,435 (2016)
Postgraduates8,980 (2016)
Location
Sartenejas
,
Miranda State
,
Venezuela

10°24′38.09″N 66°52′52.33″W
ColorsYellow  
Websitewww.usb.ve
Laberinto Cromovegetal (1995) by Carlos Cruz-Diez, an iconic work of gardening art

The university began academic activities in 1970 in the Sartenejas Valley in Caracas and seven years later in Camurí Grande Valley, Vargas. Currently has these two locations. Its rectory is Sartenejas headquarters, located in the Baruta municipality of Miranda state.

The USB has graduated approximately 25,000 engineers, architects, urban planners and graduates, along with 5,000 specialists, masters and doctors.

According to a research by the QS World University Rankings 2015, the USB has the No. 2 position nationally, while ranked No. 34 in Latin America.[1]

History

On May 1967 the government created a commission composed by Luis Manuel Peñalver, Luis Carbonell, Mercedes Fermín, Miguel Angel Pérez and Héctor Isava to study the possibility of creating a new university that would offer studies to directly promote the economic and social development of the country. On July 18, 1967 the President of Venezuela Raúl Leoni signed a decree which officially founded the University as an Instituto Experimental de Educación Superior focused mainly on scientific and technological research. The original name given to the university was Universidad de Caracas; however, the first name of the Central University of Venezuela was also "Universidad de Caracas" and it was still known by that name. Members of The National Academy of History, the Bolivarian Society of Venezuela and other important institutions expressed their wish to relate the name of El Libertador Simón Bolívar to the name of the recently created university, which resulted in the change to the name of Universidad Experimental Simón Bolívar in 1969. Ernesto Mayz Vallenilla was the rector when president Rafael Caldera inaugurated the University on January 19, 1970.

From the confluence between the name "Universidad Simón Bolívar" and its slogan "The University of the Future", the Venezuelan designer, Gerd Leufert developed the design inspired by the photographic reproduction of an electrical circuit. The figure includes eight semicircular lines and a small rectangle in the center of them, forming a structure similar to a rounded pyramid, whose meaning is that of a gateway, which represents the unity of various knowledge and their projections into the future.

As of 2010, Simón Bolívar University has over 38,000 alumni[2]

Campus

Location
Espejo Solar by Alejandro Otero, located at the laguna de los espejos

The closed-campus-style grounds are located in the Sartenejas valley, in the municipality of Baruta, Miranda State. Its total surface is approximately of 3,489,000 m².

Library

The Simón Bolívar University Library (USB) is an academic library with special emphasis on sciences, mathematics, engineering, and humanities.

The library of the USB has, among its special collections, the Ernesto Mays Vallenilla archive. His archive includes the books of his personal Library, in addition to his own philosophical works as professor and researcher. The archive has a particular relevance within the university, not only because Mayz Vallenilla was its founder dean, but because he devoted a large part of his philosophical research to the understanding of the modern human being within the context of metatechnics. Concept that he developed witnessing the profound changes and advances in computer science and forecasting the possibilities of artificial intelligence. His book, The Foundations of Meta-Technics, sought to capture an understanding of a trans-human logic and, with it, of a new human identity for the XXI century.

Degrees
Library of the USB

It offers the following undergraduate programs (B.Sc.):

It offers the following graduate programs (M.Sc., Ph.D. and Specializations):

Extracurricular activities
USB entry on the Formula SAE

The university fosters a thriving environment for extracurricular activities. Its student clubs are the origin of the most awarded Latin American teams in international competitions. The Model of United Nations team is one of the best in the world. The Harvard National Model of United Nations team has the most "Best International Delegation" Awards in the history of the conference (5 times), the World Model of United Nations team has won the "Best Large delegation award" 3 times. The Baja SAE has ranked top 5 during 10 continuous years.

The student clubs are very organized and disciplined teams. They typically have strict admission processes and put a strong focus on hard work and commitment.

Traditions
Estructura Hidrocinética was designed in 1975 by Gabriel Martín Landrove
Simón Bolívar statue by the Peruvian artist Joaquín Roca Rey
Owl located at the Dean's office

Several myths and legends are part of the student's culture:

La Cebolla: The logo of the university is called "La Cebolla" or "the onion" in Spanish in contrast to its technological symbolism (it was inspired by the photograph of an electric circuit). It was designed to represent a group of doors one into another, a metaphor for the hard work and effort students have to do in order to walk from the big door that leads them in, to the little one that leads them out (see ).

A brief history and description:The sculpture creation started in 1975 when Gabriel Martin Landrove, a USB architect student, won an institutional contest. Construction took place until July 5, 1991 when Phd Professor Stefan Zarea conducted the final works and inaugurated it.[3] The artistic concept was inspired by the morning dew condensed over a tree sleeve falling down into another one. The sleeves are represented with 576 metal trowels arranged as a 48 by12 matrix in a conical truncated structure that allows the water to create multiple small waterfalls. This huge structure can rotate over its own vertical axis and the movement is produced by a pelton wheel dispose at the lower level of the conical structure. The rise of the water to the top and its rotational momentum is produced by hydraulic force drive by an electrical pump. There is also a tree level shallow pool, a top circular viewer and an intricate circular walk sides that complements the design.

The University turns it on during special occasions, like graduations, and since 2008 is under heavy maintenance program. On January 19, 2010, the maintenance department finished the second stage of its restoration with the restart of the conical structure including their rotational movement. It is left for the close future, the restoration of the mirror pools, water filtration systems and night illumination.[4]

References
  1. http://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/latam-university-rankings/2015#sorting=rank+region=+country=366+faculty=+stars=false+search=
  2. http://www.usb.ve/pdf/dip_nov_2010.pdf
  3. La Universidad Simón Bolívar a través de sus símbolos. 2005. Maria Teresa Jurado de Baruch. Editorial Equinoccio. Sartenejas, Baruta.
  4. http://www.usb.ve/institucion/simbolos.html

Aerial Photos
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