Founded in 1997, Universidad Regional Autonoma de los Andes (Autonomous Regional University of the Andes) is a private higher-education institution located in the small city of Ambato (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Tungurahua. 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 Regional Autonoma de los Andes is a coeducational Ecuadorian higher education institution. Universidad Regional Autonoma de los Andes offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees in several areas of study. Universidad Regional Autonoma de los Andes also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, as well as administrative services.