Our history
The story of the Sinú University Corporation “Elías Bechara Zainúm” It is the result of the doctor's vision Elijah Bechara Zainum, a prominent educator who, after founding the University of Córdoba and various secondary and intermediate education institutions, identified the need to create a university that would respond to the demands of knowledge in areas such as administrative sciences, jurisprudence and health sciences.
Origin and consolidation in Montería
The April 29, 1974In the city of Montería, Córdoba, the Higher Educational Corporation of Córdoba (CESCO), Offering programs in Business Administration at the technical-professional level, Languages, Educational Administration, and Social Work. Thanks to its growth, in 1977 It obtained legal status through Resolution 12154 of the Ministry of National Education (MEN), consolidating itself as a key institution in higher education in the country.
Yellow house. CESCO's first headquarters.
In 1980 the law program, which became the engine of institutional development, taking into account that its operation gave life to the Center for Legal, Social and Political Research (Agreement 045 of July 10, 1982) as an essential tool for promoting research and the development of other academic programs.
First university campus buildings
In 1984, CESCO evolved and transformed into the University Corporation of Sinú (CUS), recognized by Resolution 13000 of August 30. This transformation allowed it to expand its academic offerings and strengthen its organizational structure, laying the foundations for what would later become the Sinú University Corporation “Elías Bechara Zainúm”, a private higher education institution with a distinguished track record of growth and academic excellence.
Institutional strengthening continued and, in 2019The main office in Montería received the Institutional Accreditation Through Resolution No. 0006197 of June 13, recognition was given to the commitment to educational quality. That same year, Saray Castilla de Bechara She was awarded the Order of Boyacá, the highest distinction granted by the National Government, in recognition of her contribution to educational development in Colombia.
In 2023, the Headquarters In Montería, it achieved the renewal of its Institutional Accreditation through Resolution No. 008917 of May 29, consolidating its academic quality and commitment to educational excellence.
Expansion and growth: Cartagena branch and Bogotá headquarters
As part of its growth, the University expanded its educational coverage with the opening of the Cartagena branch in 1999 with the programs of Medicine and Dentistryallowing more students to access quality education.
In 2004, The institution achieved a significant milestone by receiving official recognition as a university through Resolution 4973 of December 29, marking a new stage in its academic consolidation and the creation of its first research groups.
The impact of the Cartagena Sectional It continued to expand with key milestones:
2007: Opening of the Plaza Colón Headquarters, strengthening its presence in the city.
2010: Its founder, Elijah Bechara ZainumHe received the Order of Boyacá Decoration, in recognition of his educational work.
2013: The Faculty of Health Sciences was opened on the Santillana Campus, and the first research groups were classified by Colciencias.
In 2016, The University further expanded its reach with the opening of the Bogotá Headquarters, reinforcing its commitment to higher education in the country.
In 2023, Several programs at the Cartagena branch were accredited for high quality, including Dentistry, Systems Engineering, and Information Systems Management Technology.
In 2024New programs such as Medicine, Nutrition and Dietetics, International Business Administration and Law received high-quality accreditation, reflecting the institution's commitment to academic excellence.
Today, the Corporación Universidad del Sinú “Elías Bechara Zainúm” continues to advance in its mission to train ethical professionals committed to society, consolidating itself as a leading institution in higher education in Colombia.
