The rector Leonardo Lomelí Vanegas presided on September 21, 2026, over the extraordinary session of the University Council at which the National Autonomous University of Mexico commemorated the 475 years of the University of Mexico, whose predecessor, the Royal University of Mexico, was created by royal decree of Prince Philip on September 21, 1551. The ceremony took place at the Palacio de la Antigua Escuela de Medicina, in the Historic Center of Mexico City.

The milestone arrives with the institution at its highest enrollment ever: more than 371,000 students in the most recent cycle and around 30,000 classes a day, according to Gaceta UNAM. The university runs 21 entities with 134 undergraduate programs, 36 institutes and 45 national laboratories, in addition to 6,464 researchers and academic technicians. For the Mexican community at home and abroad, the date matters because those classrooms have produced several generations of researchers and writers, and because its presence reaches the 32 federal entities and 13 sites on three continents.

The commemorative program comprises nearly 400 activities organized by more than 70 academic entities, according to El Universal. The calendar includes:

  • September 26: concert by the UNAM Philharmonic Orchestra and reopening of the Nezahualcóyotl Hall, which turns 90.
  • September 29: solemn session at the Legislative Palace of San Lázaro, where the inscription "475 años de la Universidad de México 1551-2026" will be unveiled.
  • October 7 to March 31, 2027: exhibition "Universidad de México: 475+ años de concebir futuros" at the Colegio de San Ildefonso, with more than 700 pieces.
  • October 12: photo exhibition "Somos historia, somos futuro", with 62 display panels in the Bosque de Chapultepec.

Néstor Martínez Cristo, head of the Coordination of Special Projects of the Rector's Office, said the celebration will not be limited to protocol ceremonies: "We don't want this to be only 'for the suit-and-tie crowd'."

The commemoration runs until the first quarter of 2027, when the commemorative book comes off the press: its section "25 para los 500" will bring together texts by 24 outstanding university figures and the rector. The Colegio de San Ildefonso exhibition will remain open until March 31, with access for the general public.

This article was written with the assistance of artificial intelligence from verified sources and reviewed by a human editor before publication.