On March 6, 2007, CONARE approved a new university framework called the System of Interuniversity Campuses for Public Higher Education in Costa Rica. Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica (UNA) is part of this system and is a founding member of the Sede Interuniversitaria de Alajuela (SIUA), along with Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR), Tecnológico de Costa Rica (TEC), Universidad Estatal a Distancia (UNED), and Universidad Técnica Nacional (UTN). All institutions are named by their acronym in Spanish.

SIUA was created to positively impact the Alajuela region by supporting the academic and professional development of its inhabitants. As of 2024, 74.06% of students come from various cantons of the province. However, SIUA also enrolls a significant number of students from the other six provinces, thus demonstrating its openness and relevance at the national level.


Offered Degrees and Levels of Study:

UNA, at SIUA, currently offers four academic programs designed to meet the region’s identified academic and professional needs:

  • Bachelor’s in Business Administration.
  • Licentiate in Business Administration with an emphasis in Financial Management.
  • Bachelor’s in English with an associate degree.
  • Information Systems Engineering (Associate and Bachelor’s degrees).
  • Bachelor’s in Industrial Chemistry.
Ir al sitio web
La imagen muestra grupo de estudiantes en un laboratorio de Inglés
 

Since its beginnings, it has grown exponentially, and today it has its own departments and/or departments integrated with other universities such as: Student Life, Innovation and Technological Management Unit, Registrar’s Office, and Finance. There is a student cafeteria and offices for each student association. The degree programs have well-equipped laboratories in the different specialties."

 


SIUA and Its Services:

UNA, at SIUA, currently serves approximately 900 students, who have access to a range of services such as:

  • Student Life Department (guidance, social work, psychology, and student development).
  • Registrar and Financial Department.
  • Information and Technology Management Unit.
  • Medical Services.
  • Library.
  • Language Laboratory.
  • Basic Sciences Laboratory.
  • Innovation and Neuroscience Laboratory.
  • Computer Laboratory.
  • Robotics Laboratory.
  • Cafeteria.
  • Student Dining Hall.
  • Classrooms equipped with air conditioning, interactive screens, projectors, and desktop computers.
  • Student Association.


Community and University Impact Projects:

As part of its core mission, various university stakeholders have collaborated in organizing and executing events such as Academic Week (held for the past eight years) and the First Congress on Innovation and Entrepreneurship in 2023. These events have featured both national and international speakers. Additionally, each academic program has developed diverse projects and events at the university, regional, and national levels, reaffirming UNA´s social commitment to the country. Some examples include:

La imagen muestra varios estudiantes sentado reunidos en mesas del área de soda , con material de estudio
Se muestran tres estudiantes hombre y mujeres reunidos discutiendo

Business Administration Program:

  • Business Administration and Environmental Responsibility: educational field trip to the marine park and Puntarenas beach.
  • Skills for Socio-Occupational Success: module on Labor Psychology.
  • Public conferences in Alajuela on topics such as Neurofinance, Business Agility, Canvas Business Model, and legal aspects.

Information Systems Engineering Program

  • Programming tournaments
  • Robotics and programming workshops in schools and high schools.
  • Free preparation workshops for public university entrance exams.

Bachelor’s English Program

  • Basic English Program for Entrepreneurs (PIBE).
  • CV Writing and English Job Interview Preparation: workshop.
  • Using Canva as an Educational Support Tool for Parents and Students: workshop for the community.
  • Community English: basic English workshop for Isla Venado community members.
  • Culture and Identity: Mediation and Artistic Expressions for Human Rights: international symposium celebrated in 2017.
  • Workshop on technological tools for students and teachers.

Industrial Chemistry Program

  • Evaluation of crude extracts rich in condensed tannins and their use as dermabrasive agents in exfoliating gel formulations.
  • Evaluation of the filtration process in the purification of beta-naphthylmethyl ether using experimental design.
  • Evaluation of the emulsification process of martius yellow using two types of waxes in the formulation of scented candles via a 2² factorial design.
  • Evaluation of paracetamol synthesis methodologies.
  • Optimization of a biodiesel production method comparing two types of oils and two alkaline media using ultrasound in a 2² factorial design.

General Studies

  • Poetic Dances Group.
  • Study on the epigenetic expression associated with pesticide exposure in aquatic mammals (Manatee, Trichechus manatus).

Graduates

By the end of the first semester of 2025, UNA at SIUA will have produced a total of 1,705 graduates throughout its operational history, all of whom contribute to the workforce across various regions of the country.

For more information, please visit the following links: