The National Southern University (Universidad Nacional del Sur) is the largest national university in southern Argentina. Its motto is Ardua Veritatem, which means "truth is obtained by effort". The university was founded on January 5, 1956, and absorbed what had been the Technological Institute of the South, a former National University of La Plata affiliate established in 1946. Located in the city of Bahía Blanca, the school became the seventh in Argentina's national university system. The Instituto Tecnológico del Sur was created on October 9, 1946 by Provincial Act No. 5051, and it began its activities under the academic dependence on the Universidad Nacional de La Plata. In 1947, the Nation and the province Buenos Aires [Frente del Edificio de Alem] signed an agreement that stated that both of them would supply the funds for the operation and maintenance of the institute. On February 12, 1948, the incumbent president, Juan D. Perón, appointed Dr. Miguel López Francés as President of the University, who was in charge of adopting the necessary measures for the organization thereof. The official inauguration ceremony of the ITS was held on February 20, 1948.