The University of the Republic (, sometimes UdelaR) is Uruguay's oldest public university. It is by far the country's largest university, as well as the second largest public university in South America and the world's 57th largest by enrollment, with a student body of 137,757 undergraduate students in 2018 and 6,351 postgraduate students in 2012. It was founded on 18 July 1849 in Montevideo, where most of its buildings and facilities are still located. Its current rector is Rodrigo Arim. History The process of founding the country's public university began on 11 June 1833, when a law proposed by then-Senator Dámaso Antonio Larrañaga was passed. It called for the creation of nine academic departments; the President of the Republic would pass a decree formally creating the departments once the majority of them were in operation. In 1836 the House of General Studies was formed, housing the departments of Latin, philosophy, mathematics, theology and jurisprudence. On 27 May 1838, Manuel Oribe passed a decree through which created the Greater University of the Republic. That decree had few practical effects, given the institutional instability of the Oriental Republic of the Uruguay at that time. Ranking In 2011, according to University Ranking by Academic Performance (URAP), it is the best university in Uruguay and 858th best university in the world. In 2015, according to QS World University Rankings, it ranks #701-750 worldwide and #38 in Latin America. In 2018, according to QS World University Rankings, it ranks #801-1000 Worldwide, and remains in the #38 Latin American rankings. Schools School of Agronomy School of Architecture, Design, and Urbanism School of Arts School of Chemistry School of Economic Science and Administration School of Engineering School of Humanities and Education Science University of the Republic Law School School of Medicine School of Nursing School of Odontology School of Psychology School of Science School of Social Science School of Veterinary Medicine School of Information and Communication Law School The University of the Republic Law School was established on June 18, 1838 as the Academy of Jurisprudence, making it the oldest law school in the nation. It became a branch of the University of the Republic on July 18, 1849. It is the only branch of the university that hasn't moved from the main building downtown Montevideo. It was the only law school in Uruguay until the arrival of the Catholic University of Uruguay in 1984. Many Presidents