The Organization of American States honored the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos on May 1 for its long-standing contribution to education and culture in Latin America over its 475 years of existence.
The recognition took place during the commemoration of the signing of the Charter of the Organization of American States, originally signed on April 30, 1948. The treaty aims to promote peace, justice, solidarity, and sovereignty in the region.
Authorities from the Organization of American States attended the event, including resident representative Miguel Ángel Trinidad. Jeri Ramón Ruffner, rector of Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, was also present along with government officials and academic leaders. Trinidad said that San Marcos has played a key role in training professionals over nearly five centuries and highlighted education as a fundamental pillar for national development. He pointed out that “the university’s history has decisively contributed to strengthening both Peru and Latin America.”
Rector Jeri Ramón Ruffner said that this ceremony holds deep historical and diplomatic significance by bringing together two institutions with shared values such as democracy, peace, and cooperation among nations. “On one side is the Organization of American States, which upholds a tradition founded on democracy, peace and solidarity; on the other is Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos whose nearly five-century history has been dedicated to thought leadership, civic education and service to Peru,” she said.
She added that “San Marcos has accompanied Peru’s republican construction and contributed to democratic thought across the continent.” She also stated: “In our classrooms have studied jurists, scientists, diplomats, humanists and leaders who have served both country and continent. Our institution has always defended ideals such as justice citizenship social transformation.” According to the official website, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos promotes cultural well-being through initiatives supporting responsibility equity inclusion sustainable development; it operates as an autonomous public entity recognized by Peru’s constitution; it leads public universities in rankings from QS Scimago Webometrics; it utilizes multiple campuses including central facility provincial extensions; it offers 81 undergraduate programs along with postgraduate options research community outreach; it is focused on advancing knowledge dissemination national sustainable development.
Jorge Luis Cáceres Arce—rector at Universidad Católica de Santa María—presented an award celebrating San Marcos’ anniversary as president of Asociación de Universidades Peruanas. Rector Jeri Ramón Ruffner received this distinction on behalf of her university community.
In her closing remarks Ruffner said these recognitions honor not only their historic trajectory but also their current relevance future outlook: “We receive these distinctions with humility institutional pride renewed commitment toward our country region.” The university remains committed to advancing education research community engagement while maintaining its top ranking among public universities globally according to its official website.
