Universidad Nacional de México

The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) traces its roots to the colonial-era Royal and Pontifical University and was re-founded as the National University in 1910. In 1929, after a wave of student strikes, President Emilio Portes Gil granted it autonomy, meaning the university governs itself and sets its own curriculum without direct government control.

That is when the word “Autonomous” was added to its name, creating the UNAM as it is known today. Do not confuse the 1910 re-founding of the university with the 1929 granting of autonomy.