History
With the restoration of democracy in our country at the end of the 50’s decade, an unusual interest in socio-economic development emerged in different regions. In our Department -the Magdalena Grande- the idea of creating a center for higher studies began to arise again in order to serve as a support for this process; in addition, because there was a crucial moment at the time that created great expectations about the future development of economic, political, social and cultural activities not only in the region and the country, but also throughout the American Continent, since the triumph of the Cuban revolution had such considerable impact on the public opinion that it became a mandatory point of reference in the generation of new ideas and hopes.
At the regional level, important events were also taking place. These events created a unique situation for our immediate future development such as the modernization of the port of Santa Marta, the culmination of the Atlantic Railway, the construction of the road that connects us quickly with Barranquilla and therefore with the rest of the Caribbean coast. Also, the project of the Caribbean highway, the rapid process of urbanization which Santa Marta was undergoing and the boost of agricultural development which was given to the region with new crops such as cotton, African oil palm, rice, etc., were essential for our development. Likewise, banana cultivation was being improved to increase its profitability.
The University of Magdalena is a state-owned institution of territorial order, created by Ordinance No. 005 of October 27, 1958, organized as a stand-alone institution of special regime, linked to the Ministry of National Education with regard to policies and planning within the educational sector.
It has legal personality granted by the Government of the Department of Magdalena by Resolution 831 of December 3, 1974. Its corporate purpose is the provision of the public service of higher education, through the exercise of academic, administrative, financial and budgetary autonomy, with own and independent government, income, and equity.
The Political Constitution rules it by Bill 30 of 1992 and other dispositions that apply to it according to its special regime and the rules that are enacted in the exercise of its autonomy.