The University of Antwerp (Dutch: Universiteit Antwerpen) is one of the major Belgian universities located in the city of Antwerp. The name is sometimes (unofficially) abbreviated as UA. The university was founded in 2003 after the merger of the three universities that were previously known as RUCA (State University Centre Antwerp), UFSIA (University Faculties Saint Ignatius Antwerp) and UIA (University Institution Antwerp). Hence, the university's roots go back to 1852. The University of Antwerp has approximately 14,000 students and is still increasing, which makes it the third largest university in Flanders. Over 1,000 of these students (exchange students not included) are from foreign countries, with a majority of EU countries. In order to face the challenges posed by the internationalization of European education and research, the University is part of the Antwerp University Association (AUHA). The Institute of Development Policy and Management (IDPM), the Antwerp Management School (AMS) and the Institute of Transport and Maritime Management Antwerp (ITMMA) have an autonomous, faculty-like UA status.