In 1824 it was born in Valledupar, the first school governed by the Lancastrian method. In recognition of heroin Loperena Maria Concepcion Fernandez de Castro by the Vice President of the Republic General Francisco de Paula Santander. In this cloister (former convent of Santo Domingo) received the first lessons, renowned citizens who distinguished themselves later in the republican life of the country. During the administration of Alfonso Lopez Pumarejo, specifically in 1936 Loperena National College and the School of Arts and Crafts was founded. Years later, before the creation of the Department of Cesar a group of distinguished citizens of Valledupar raised the need to establish a center for university studies. With the founding of the Department of Cesar cultural movements of various kinds that bring together the idea of ​​creating an institution of higher education in the city arise, the first attempts were channeled through the House of Culture and the creation of a Section of the University Santo Tomas in Valledupar programs at the intermediate level, the attempt failed due to lack of economic resources, which must be approved by the Departmental Assembly.