The National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH) is the leading institution of higher education in Honduras, maintaining a strong commitment in the academic areas of research, science, culture and development. UNAH was founded in 1847 by constitutional mandate to lead and develop higher education in Honduras. With more than 165 years of service, UNAH is the supervisory body for public and private higher education. UNAH currently offers 122 academic degrees, in undergraduate, graduate and technical studies; more than 3,000 professors attend these programs. Research activity is currently developed in 10 Research Institutes that focus on 13 priority areas of research that are necessary in Honduras. The university has a network of regional centers and virtual educational centers that seek the extension of higher education throughout the country, also having distance education systems, which allows Honduras to promote ethnic and cultural diversity in the teaching of higher education programs.