Factores determinantes en el desarrollo de la primera Licenciatura en Diseño Industrial de Venezuela en la Universidad de Los Andes

Abstract

The following paper aims to show that the first Bachelor degree in industrial Design of Venezuela, created at the Universidad de Los Andes, was not a casual event placed in a region without industries of such a country. Standing on documents of diverse nature, the author argues that this educational event took place in Merida, Venezuela, thanks to: (1) the industrious nature of its inhabitants, (2) the long standing tradition of its crafts, (3) the pioneering nature of the region’s educational initiatives for the teaching of arts and crafts, (4) the favorable conditions provided for the creation of new entrepreneurships by institutions such as Merida’s Technological Park and the establishment of a free economic zone for cultural, scientific and technological goods in the region, and (5) the innovative and logistic experience of the second oldest University of Venezuela in the formulation of new degrees.