Catholic University of the West

About

The Catholic University of the West (French: Université catholique de l'Ouest), also known as UCO or colloquially as la Catho, is a private higher education institution located in Angers, France.

Early in the 11th century, the Université d'Angers was founded in Angers became famous under the direction of Marbodus, later Bishop of Rennes, and of Ulger, later Bishop of Angers, both pupils of the canonist, Fulbert de Chartres. It was enlarged in 1229 by an influx of students, many of them Englishmen, from the University of Paris, who sought in Angers a shelter from the direct control of the King of France. Angers then became a center for the study of civil law, and a "studium generale," although it was officially recognized as such by an Episcopal ordinance only in 1337. In 1364 it received from King Charles V a charter granting the same privileges as those enjoyed by the University of Orleans. It was only in 1432 that a papal bull of Pope Eugene IV added the usual colleges of Theology, Medicine and Arts to the College of Canon and Civil Law. This organization continued until the French Revolution. After the National Assembly had granted to all freedom of teaching, the French bishops decided to found five Catholic universities, and Angers, due to Bishop Charles Émile Freppel, was chosen for the western portion of France, including the Dioceses of Angers, Rennes, Laval, Le Mans, Angoulême, Tours and Poitiers. The institution then took the title of "Facultés Catholiques de l'Ouest." The main campus is situated in the city of Angers and hosts more than 7,000 students. Catholic University of the West has international partnerships with more than 75 universities in the world. Starting from 2009, the institution is trying to maintain international partnerships and agreements with universities around the world.

1875: The Catholic University of Angers was re-founded by Freppel. The College of Law, inaugurated at Cathedral St. Maurice on November 15, was the first of its kind in France. The other colleges reopened in the following years: Literature (1876), Sciences (1877) and Theology (1879). 1879: The institution was organized according to the catholic canon as a Catholic University by Pope Pius IX. 1898: The School of Agriculture and Viticulture, predecessor of the current Superior School of Agriculture (ESA), was founded by Ernest Vétillart October 1909: The School of Commercial Sciences (ESSCA) was created. 1947: The Foreign Center for French Language and Civilization Studies was founded. 1950: The Technical School of Chemistry (ETSCO) was founded. 1956: The School of Electronics of the West (ESEO) was created. October 22, 1993: The ceremonial first brick was laid for the new buildings of the institution. 2002: Robert Rousseau was appointed the Rector of the institution. 1 January 2008: Guy Bedouelle became Rector of the institution. Bedouelle, was known for his work in literature and theology, and served the Catholic Church as juror, international historian, council member and teacher. 1 September 2012: Dominique Vermersch, an economist, became Rector of the institution.

Law, Economics, Management and Political science Education Humanities Science Social and Human Science Theology and Religious Studies The Centre International d'Études Françaises, located at the Angers campus, provides dedicated instruction in the French language. In 1990, under the authority of l'Université Catholique d'Angers, the Catholic Institute of Higher Studies - ICES was opened in La Roche-sur-Yon. After three years of collaboration, the Superior Council of the Catholic University of the West awarded ICES its academic independence in 1993. François Garnier, Bishop of Luçon, became the institutional head of the establishment with the responsibility of maintaining its ecclesiastical membership. The Institute is also called the Catholic University of the Vendée. L'Université Catholique d'Angers is a member of the International Federation of Catholic Universities.

Adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA). Photography via Wikimedia Commons.