The Universidad T?nica Federico Santa Mar? (UTFSM) is one of the most reputed engineering universities of Chile, situated in Valpara?o. It has a beautiful American neo-gothic campus with a great view over the sea.
The university takes its names of Federico Santa Mar?, a Chilean who lived in France. He raised a huge fortune as broker in the sugar market in Paris.
In his testament, Santa Mar? donated all his fortune to build in Valpara?o - his hometown - an high-standard technical and scientifical institution. This institution should be dedicated to prepare students with an deficient socio economical condition but great potential to learn technical and scientifical knowledge, so the could contribute to the progress of Chile.
On March 31, 1926, a foundation was created in sense to develop Santa Mar?'s legacy. Finally on 1931 the School of Crafts and Arts and School of Engineering Jos?Miguel Carrera was foundated. In 1935 it changed its name to Universidad T?nica Federico Santa Mar?.
1960 the Graduate School was created. In 1963 the university became the first high-education institution to confer a Doctor degree in Latin America.
The University is specialized in engineering and technician degrees, including civil engineering, mechanics, electricity, electronics, chemistry, computer science, etc.