The Universidad Científica del Sur, or UCSUR, is a higher education and research institution located in Lima, Peru. It has a four-hectare campus close to the Pantanos de Villa Reserved Zone, in Villa El Salvador. The Universidad Científica del Sur was founded in 1996 by a Promoting Association led by José Carlos Dextre Chacón and an Organizing Commission led by Fernando Cabieses. Two years later, the National Commission on the Functioning of Universities (CONAFU) approved the temporary activity of UCSUR by Resolución N°356-98-CONAFU. Dr. Fernando Cabieses Molina was appointed as rector. The first official ceremony took place the 26th of March, 1998, in Museo de Osma. The admission campaign started in July. The first semester began with two schools (Medicine and Engineering) and fifty students. The Campus was originally in Surco district. However, a few years later, it was moved to its current location, close to the Pantanos de Villa Reserved Zone. In March 2006, CONAFU awarded the Definitive Authorization Resolution to the university, which implies institutional autonomy. Today, the university has over 1500 students in undergraduate and postgraduate courses.