Founded in 1940, Universitatea Pedagogica de Stat Ion Creanga (Ion Creanga Pedagogical State University) is a non-profit public higher-education institution located in the large city of Chisinau (population range of 500,000-1,000,000 inhabitants). Officially recognized by the Ministerul Educatiei a Republicii Moldova (Ministry of Education of the Republic of Moldova), Universitatea Pedagogica de Stat Ion Creanga (UPS) is a medium-sized coeducational Moldovan higher education institution. Universitatea Pedagogica de Stat Ion Creanga (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, sports facilities, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.