The shield of the Autonomous University of Zacatecas (UAZ) represents through symbolic elements the identity and values of the most important house of higher studies in Zacatecas, with the Mexican royal eagle prevailing in its visual proposal.
Its beginning dates back to the 1800s, when Francisco García Salinas - governor of the entity at the time - founded the city's Institute of Sciences, which would later become the UAZ. The institute conserves a graphic composition in its center with various scientific instruments that belonged to the old shield.
Shield of the Autonomous University of Zacatecas.
Since the establishment of the UAZ in 1968, a fruitful and leading stage of the academies in Mexico began, an event that opened the door for a short time later to have more than 25 educational institutions in the state.
The shield and its history
Characterized by using an orthodox and traditional teaching system with liberal careers, the Autonomous University of Zacatecas took a step forward by applying a university reform in 1971.
That year carried as a banner the ideal of building a cultural community promoted by students in conjunction with teachers.
They adopted scientific research as their objective, in order to train professionals committed to the dissemination of knowledge and the transfer of their indispensable functions to society to understand and transform it.
Thus, the sciences, humanities, cultural values, morals and critical thinking took the reins of the UAZ as a mission and vision, being the only campus that offered higher education in Zacatecas, an aspect that contributed to its growth in record time.
Shield Meaning
Chasing these banners, his current shield was created in which the national eagle of Mexico is seen as the main figure, facing the front with outstretched wings and turning his head to the left side.
On its legs it holds a border that bears the name of Francisco García Salinas, considered the founder, who started the great path of the UAZ.
The first stage of the shield, from the center inwards, exhibits the name Autonomous University of Zacatecas. Next, further inwards, the Coat of Arms of the city of Zacatecas is evoked with five bundles of arrows and five bows, weapons used by the Chichimeca Indians.
These elements were taken from the "Title of arms of the city of Nuestra Señora de los Zacatecas in the province of Nueva Galicia", delivered by King Felipe II of Spain in 1588.
Further inside the UAZ shield you can see the moon and the sun at the ends of the upper part, to the left and right respectively.
Just below, in the exact center of the shield, a globe is located on a base with two scrolls and a compass pointing to the east.
He is accompanied by instruments such as a telescope, a tank, a sextant -artifact to measure angles between two objects-, a book and resonance tubes, among other objects characteristic of conservative sciences.
These symbols originally belonged to the old shield of the Zacatecas Institute of Sciences, representing the positivism that prevailed in its heyday.
National identity symbol
Its most representative visual element is the Mexican royal eagle, the same protagonist of the national shield of Mexico. It represents courage and strength and has historically been venerated by pre-Hispanic peoples as a symbol of identity and idiosyncrasy.
The most curious fact of the creation of the shield is behind the history of the edging. During its conception and design, a contest was held to choose the phrase for the border. The result was desert and that is why it bears the name of Francisco García Salinas.
Representation of values
All the visual mandates of the UAZ shield comply with its visionary character that has transcended generations: educate through scientific research based on the main problems of society in different magnitudes.
From these explorations, to propose feasible solutions that contribute to a better humanity at all levels, always maintaining the highest quality among the country's education systems.
More than 105 study programs currently offer the Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, giving meaning to the representation of all its values. The north is to fulfill its function of preparing qualified professionals to contribute both to the development of Mexico and other countries in the world.
References
- Gutiérrez G., José Antonio. (2005). The College-Seminary of San Luis Gonzaga de Zacatecas and its first Constitutions. Espiral (Guadalajara), 11 (33), 137-165.
- Mexican public universities. Diversity and complexity, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana. Andrea Santillana Pérez (2009).
- Top Universities: Autonomous University of Zacatecas. topuniversities.com
- Government of Mexico, National Register of Quality Educational Programs. pnpec.sep.gob.mx
- Scholarships from the Government of Mexico for foreigners, Autonomous University of Zacatecas. gob.mx