University of Navarra

Foundation of Estudio General de Navarra

The University of Navarra, founded by St. Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer, begins as the Estudio General de Navarra on October 17, with an academic ceremony held in the chamber of the Regional Council of Navarre, at the Palace of Navarre. The first degree program in Law begins at the Cámara de Comptos with 48 students and 8 professors.

Identity & Mission Statement

The University of Navarra is based on the Christian inspiration promoted by St. Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer, the founder of Opus Dei. Its mission is to seek and present the truth; contribute to the academic, cultural and personal education of its students; promote academic research and healthcare activities; provide suitable opportunities for the development of its professors and employees; and carry out broad cultural outreach and social promotion work with a clear goal of service.    

The primary functions of the University of Navarra are to:

a) Deliver university-level teaching in various fields, confer the corresponding academic degrees and provide students with the means (educational materials, a library, information on scholarships and financial aid) to enable them to derive the full benefit from their studies.

b) Promote academic research in different fields of knowledge to further teaching and as a way to bring knowledge to society and foster innovation and development.

c) Contribute to students' education through personalized mentoring, with activities aimed at acquiring professional competences and personal habits that stimulate personal development in all of its dimensions: cultural, artistic, religious, athletic and solidarity.

d) Stay in touch with alumni of the University through continuing education activities and other cultural and social initiatives of the Alumni Association.

e) Organize continuing education and specialization programs for alumni based on the trends and needs of different professions.

f) Cultivate the bonds between the University and the members of the Friends of the University of Navarra and keep them informed of the fruits of their partnership.

g) Carry out cultural dissemination and university outreach work through activities organized by the University itself and initiatives carried out in conjunction with other institutions.

h) Cooperate with other universities and university-level institutions such as hospitals, business schools, research centers, art institutes and educational and development organizations.

Origin & Inspiration

The University of Navarra began operating in Pamplona in 1952 as a result of the initiative of St. Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer, the founder of Opus Dei. The aim of this prelature of the Catholic Church is to help people seek the fullness of Christian life through their work, family life and ordinary activities. Since the University was founded, the teachings of St. Josemaría have inspired and broadened the horizons of the University's activities. The Chancellor of the University of Navarra is the Prelate of Opus Dei.

The University's Christian inspiration is reflected in its desire to remain faithful to the Church and its Magisterium, in its reflection on their teachings, in its respect for Christian principles in research, in its promotion of personal dignity and rights, and in the sense of service that it seeks to lend to its activities.

Within the framework of religious freedom, the University of Navarra promotes love towards the Church, unity with the Pope and the Bishops, a sense of communion with other Catholics, an ecumenical spirit with all Christians and respect for believers in other religions and those who profess no faith.

The University's Christian identity provides a comprehensive approach to academic education that prompts professors to spur on the progress of knowledge by relying on the lights of faith and reason, which mutually reinforce one another to advance the frontiers of human understanding. Academic activity done with an open mind raises basic questions about human beings and the world.

Students are given opportunities to ask themselves those big life questions, as well as explore the ethical foundations of their profession, in the subjects, seminars and workshops that make up the curricula.

The University teaches theology courses as a part of all degree programs and organizes a wide range of activities open to all members of the academic community who are interested in deepening their knowledge of the person of Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church, or receiving pastoral care from the chaplains, in a context of religious freedom.

Values

The activities of the University of Navarra seek to incorporate a set of values that guide and characterize the daily actions of those who make up the University and shape its environment and culture.

Among these values, the following are especially noteworthy:

Work. Work is the manifestation of the dignity of each person, a factor in personality development, a bond between human beings and a driving force of progress. Among other consequences, this concept of work involves aspiring to excellence when carrying out tasks and keeping an eye on the details.

Freedom. The University is a place for harmony, study and friendship, open to people of all conditions, without discrimination based on religion, race, ideology, nationality, sex, etc. The University feels called to contribute to solving the problems facing society and, without moving directly into political action or tasks inherent to other institutions, develops students' capacity to be critical, which enables each person to freely form his or her own opinions and convictions, in an environment of pluralism. Love of freedom and responsibility is the basic principle of academic and professional life, research work, medical and healthcare activity. The management tasks at the University are carried out following principles of joint responsibility and participation.

Respect. The university helps students acquire knowledge and develop certain attitudes, such as respect for others, the ability to listen, appropriate behavior, a civic spirit and respect for nature. All these habits help students prepare for professional life and encourage the members of the academic community to take on social responsibility. Respect for privacy is part of the commitment undertaken by those who work in the university community.

Interdisciplinarity. The University's mission statement – to seek and present the truth – is a collective enterprise that requires dialogue between specialists from different academic areas. With this approach, the diversity of the sciences is mutually enriching, students acquire an overall vision and knowledge is not overly compartmentalized.

Responsibility. The work of professionals at the University of Navarra should be characterized by a sense of responsibility, and they seek to communicate this attitude to students as part of the University's educational mission. This attitude is reflected in judicious use of resources and taking care of the facilities.

Service. As its founder wished, the University of Navarra has had an explicitly stated aim of service and it aspires to contribute to the material and moral betterment of society. This characteristic leads it to learn about and respond to the problems and needs of society in fields related to its teaching and research activity: medical care and healthcare, studies on current issues, university cooperation and many other social promotion activities. Solidarity is a fundamental aspect of the university spirit. The University encourages members of the academic community to participate in specific initiatives to serve those most in need.

International Dimension. The University of Navarra's educational model promotes an interest in other cultures and helps enrich the international experience of students, professors, researchers, healthcare personnel and other professionals.

To carry out its educational mission, the people who make up the University of Navarra (students, professors and other professionals) must freely commit to live by the University's aims as listed in this statement of core values, and to participate in the educational work, above all through the integrity of their conduct and a spirit of cooperation.

Because of their special role, the teachers and professionals that work at the University must be outstanding in their professional competence and the rectitude of their lives, fulfillment of their responsibilities, loyal collaboration with their colleagues and academic authorities and, in general, their willingness to serve the other people in the university community.