The Mariana University is the result of a proposal made ​​under the II International Congress of Franciscan alumnae held in the city of Pasto, from 10 to 14 January 1964, when it gave appointment delegations from different regions and the world where its apostolate the Community of Franciscan Sisters, several proposals were made, they were made ​​for consideration and approval of the Honorable Assembly. It was thus that on 14 January at the closing ceremony of the II International Congress of past pupils was decided to raise the request to the Congregation of Franciscan Sisters of Mary Immaculate for the creation of a Centre for Higher Education in this city in order to continue the level of training of students, especially the nariñense wife, because the Community offered an education from kindergarten through high school, but it was necessary to complement their university. The Franciscan Sisters led by its General Superior Reverend Mother Georgina Hofer, with a gesture of love for young people, desire to progress in Nariño and Colombia, consulted the Sisters of the Council, and in April 1964 the General Council of the Congregation of Franciscan Sisters definitely welcomes the project and its organization called Sister Aloysia Payne, PhD in education, who later became our first Rector.