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Taking its acronym from its founding title of Instituto Colombiano Estudios Superiore de Incolda, this private institution based in Cali was founded in 1979.

Formed by a collaboration between business and academics, it proclaims a mission to learn to "know how to act to build a better world". There is an emphasis on "active learning¡¯ to produce "better, well-prepared professionals". Students are spread across six faculties ¨C administration and economics, law and social sciences, health, engineering, natural sciences and education. There are 13 research groups recognised by the national research body Colciencias.

Located in the Pance district, it has grown and prospered along with the Valle de Casca region surrounding Colombia¡¯s second city. While the admissions process is fairly selective taking around one third of applicants, there were just over 6,000 students on the roll in 2018. Objectives to 2022 include higher graduation rates, stronger research and effective social engagement.

Strength in business education is shown by international accreditation from AMBA and AACSB. Classes are conducted in Spanish, but competence in English is required of students who can go on international exchanges from the fifth semester of their courses onwards.

The Social Innovation in Health institute operates in partnership with the Pan American Health Organisation, while recent ICESI research has found that Colombian family spending on health is among the lowest in South America.

New facilities planned for the campus include a pro audio teaching complex. While predominantly technical and professional in emphasis ICESI also delivers notable social science courses though bodies like its Afrodiaspora Studies Centre.