University of the West

In order to create a university in Quetzaltenango whose objective was to educate its students with a philosophy based on freedom, aimed at building a free, peaceful society with a high academic level and which would also be inclined to offer careers that prepare its students. students to face the challenges of the future, the extension of the Francisco Marroquín University in the city of El Alto was founded in 1994.

The University of the West would be the continuation of the doctrinal orientation of the extension of the Francisco Marroquín University when it withdrew from Quetzaltenango. It was founded by a group of Quetzaltecan businessmen and professionals, who formed the board of trustees for its creation and initiated the corresponding procedures for its authorization.

Some were former students and professors of the UFM and members of the Superior Council that said the university had been appointed to direct and administer with economic independence. The purchase of land for the establishment of the Central Headquarters of the Universidad de Occidente begins and parallel to this, the work and coordination that entails the opening of two extensions in Guatemala City and in the departments of Escuintla, Suchitepéquez, Retalhuleu, Huehuetenango and San Pedro department of San Marcos. It began its operations as such in the city of Quetzaltenango in 2010 when the Council for Higher Private Education authorized its operation and it was published in the Official Gazette on March 3, 2010.

The mission of the university is the teaching and dissemination of the Philosophy of Liberty with personal responsibility in all fields of human life to contribute to the material and spiritual progress of humanity.