The Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo was established on October 15, 1917 and is, today, the institution of higher education with the longest tradition in the state of Michoacan. Its historical background dates back to 1540, when Don Vasco de Quiroga founded in the city of Patzcuaro the Colegio de San Nicolas Obispo; through negotiations, Carlos I of Spain issued a Royal Decree on 1. May 1543, in which it accepted to assume the patronage of the school, which as of that date happened to be the Real Colegio de San Nicolas Obispo.