The Universidad Externado de Colombia (Externado University of Colombia) in Bogotá, Colombia, is a private university which grants 4 and 5 year primary (Licenciados) and professional degrees as well as advanced 2-year Magister degrees. Instruction is primarily in Spanish. The dean is Dr. Fernando Hinestrosa. Teaching and research go hand in hand for the university's full time faculty members. Leaders in fields ranging from business, economics, law, government, and international diplomacy, bring their expertise into the classroom, sharing the newest currents of thought in their disciplines. The Universidad Externado de Colombia welcomes applications from students of character, intelligence, motivation, and achievement, without distinction on the basis of race, gender or religious beliefs. The admissions committees select those students who seem best qualified, as well as those students who can contribute to the Externado community. As well as being a member of the Unión de Universidades de América Latina, UDUAL, and the Asociación Internacional de Universidades, AIU., it is a founding member of the Asociación Colombiana de Universidades, ASCUN.