Founded in 1994, Universidad Politécnica Salesiana (Salesian Polytechnic University) is a private higher-education institution located in the medium city of Cuenca (population range of 250,000-499,999 inhabitants), Azuay. This institution also has branch campuses in the following locations: Guayaquil, Quito. Officially recognized by the Consejo de Aseguramiento de la Calidad de la Educación Superior del Ecuador (Council for Quality Assurance of Higher Education of Ecuador), Universidad Politécnica Salesiana (UPS) is a coeducational Ecuadorian higher education institution formally affiliated with the Christian-Catholic religion. Universidad Politécnica Salesiana (UPS) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees in several areas of study. UPS also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, as well as administrative services.