Academia Nacional de Ciencias

Did you ever hear of an academy founded by a president? Right here before us stands the Academia Nacional de Ciencias. It was established in 1869 by Argentine President Domingo Faustino Sarmiento. He envisioned a hub for scientific advancement in Argentina. He chose Cordoba as its home. The Academia Nacional de Ciencias was Argentina’s first national academy supported by the federal government. Sarmiento, a champion of education, tasked German zoologist Germán Burmeister with a crucial mission. Burmeister was to recruit professors from abroad, primarily Germany. These professors laid the foundation for the academy. They shaped its initial structure and research direction. Burmeister himself became the academy’s first director. The original intent was for the academy to be linked with the National University of Córdoba. The professors were to train new science teachers in addition to conducting research. However, after a few years, the focus shifted. In 1878, a decree officially separated the Academia Nacional de Ciencias from the university. It became an independent scientific corporation. This allowed it to dedicate itself entirely to research and exploration. From its inception, the Academia Nacional de Ciencias has pursued a multi-faceted mission. It focuses on the development and dissemination of knowledge in the exact and natural sciences. It also plays a key role in studying and exploring the Argentine territory. The academy provides expert advice to national and provincial governments. It also consults with other scientific institutions. Over the years, the academy has remained committed to shaping Argentina’s scientific and technological policies. It promotes knowledge through publishing scientific papers, awarding prizes, and maintaining a robust library. The striking building we see today was inaugurated in 1897. It stands as a testament to the academy’s enduring legacy. In 1994, this very building earned the distinction of being declared a National Historical Monument. Today, it not only houses the academy but also four museums. These museums, belonging to the National University of Córdoba’s Faculty of Exact, Physical, and Natural Sciences, hold fascinating collections. The museums invite exploration into botany, mineralogy, geology, paleontology, and zoology. The Academia Nacional de Ciencias has served as a beacon of scientific inquiry for over a century and a half. It is a testament to Sarmiento’s vision. His vision transformed the scientific landscape of Argentina.