Pontifical Catholic University Madre y Maestra

The Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM), or Mother and Teacher Pontifical Catholic University, is a private, Roman Catholic, and coeducational university in the Dominican Republic.

The Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM), or Mother and Teacher Pontifical Catholic University, was founded in 1962 in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, by the Catholic Church. The university was named after the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, and Saint Dominic de Guzmán, the founder of the Dominican Order.

The establishment of PUCMM was a response to the growing need for higher education in the Dominican Republic. At the time, there was only one public university in the country, the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD). UASD was unable to meet the needs of all students who wanted to attend college, and many young Dominicans were forced to study abroad.

The founders of PUCMM envisioned a university that would be accessible to all students, regardless of their social or economic background. They also wanted to create a university that would provide a high-quality education, grounded in Catholic values.

PUCMM has played an important role in the development of the Dominican Republic. The university has produced many of the country's leaders, including former presidents, Supreme Court justices, and business executives. PUCMM has also been a major force in social change, promoting democracy, human rights, and sustainable development.

In 1970, PUCMM opened a second campus in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic. The Santo Domingo campus offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs, including law, business, and education. In 2000, PUCMM opened an extension in Puerto Plata, a city on the north coast of the Dominican Republic.

PUCMM is a highly respected university in the Dominican Republic and is known for its academic excellence, its commitment to social justice, and its Catholic values. The university has played an important role in the development of the Dominican Republic and continues to produce graduates who make significant contributions to their country and to the world.

Pontifical Catholic University Madre y Maestra is ranked as the #1 top university in Dominican Republic during 2025. The rank is improved by 1 point from last year.