The University of Chile is the largest and oldest institution of higher education in Chile and one of the oldest in Latin America. Founded in 1842 as the replacement and continuation of the former colonial Royal University of San Felipe , the university is often called Casa de Bello in honor of its first president, Andrés Bello. Notable alumni include two Nobel laureates and twenty heads of state among many others. Higher education in Chile in colonial times dates to 19 August 1622, when the first university in Chile, Santo Tomás de Aquino, was founded. On 28 July 1738, its name... changed to Real Universidad de San Felipe, in honor of King Philip V of Spain. In 1841 the minister of public education, Manuel Montt, conceived the idea of funding a corporation for the "advancement and development of sciences and humanities". Andrés Bello formulated the project which with small modifications became a law on 19 November 1842, creating the Universidad de Chile. The Universidad de Chile was formally opened on 17 September 1843.
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| Location: | Santiago,
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| Founded: | September 17, 1842 |
| Total enrollment: | 31,281 |
| Colors: | Yellow, Red, Green, Blue |