The Catholic University of Santos is a higher education institution Confessional, Community and Philanthropic maintained by the Company Visconde de São Leopoldo (SVSL) and governed by a statute, by a General Procedure, by law and by a Marco Reference, which explains the institution's Catholic identity. The history of the University began in 1951, when it was founded SVSL. On February 6, 1986, the Catholic University of Santos has been recognized by the Ministry of Education, becoming the first university in Santos. The Catholic University of Santos is a higher education institution Confessional, Community and Philanthropic maintained by the Company Visconde de São Leopoldo (SVSL) and governed by a statute, by a General Procedure, by law and by a Marco Reference, which explains the institution's Catholic identity. The history of the University began in 1951, when it was founded SVSL. On February 6, 1986, the Catholic University of Santos has been recognized by the Ministry of Education, becoming the first university in Santos.