Universidad Privada Domingo Savio - Sede La Paz

What Universidad Privada Domingo Savio - Sede La Paz does

Universidad Privada Domingo Savio - Sede La Paz (UPDS La Paz) is the La Paz regional campus of UPDS, one of Bolivia's largest private university systems, founded in 2000 and operating across 9 national campuses. The institution offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and continuing education programs across five principal faculties: Legal Sciences, Business Sciences, Social Sciences, Engineering, and Health Sciences, with regional academic leadership under Rector Rocio Rios and national coordination under Rector Carlos Cuéllar.

The underlying delivery platform combines an institutional web portal, native iOS and Android mobile applications, a digital library, and Microsoft Office 365 integration, supporting both fully on-campus and semi-presential (hybrid) modalities. The product portfolio was extended in 2026 with the launch of Academia de Idiomas UPDS (ADI), a dedicated language-learning offering. International positioning is reinforced by MERCOSUR/ARCU-SUR accreditations, partnerships with UNIR (Spain), UDUAL, CLADEA, MARCA, and research collaboration with Politecnico di Milano.

UPDS's business model is tuition-driven, monetizing across undergraduate degrees, postgraduate programs, continuing/professional education, and now standalone language courses, with a geographic revenue base diversified across multiple Bolivian cities. The institution supplements its core educational offering through applied research outputs (including scientific journals such as Taikuere and 3i), corporate and government partnerships (notably with GAM La Paz), and sustainability/ESG positioning via the UN Global Compact (Pacto Global Red Bolivia).

Name

Universidad Privada Domingo Savio - Sede La Paz

Legal name

Universidad Privada Domingo Savio

Website

https://upds.edu.bo

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

UPDS La Paz is a regional campus of one of Bolivia's largest private university systems, delivering undergraduate, postgraduate, and continuing education across law, business, social sciences, engineering, and health sciences to Bolivian students and professionals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

La Paz, Murillo

HQ country

Bolivia

HQ region

Latin America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Undergraduate Tuition: Tuition fees charged to undergraduate students for academic programs across all faculties and campuses
2. Graduate and Postgraduate Programs: Revenue from master's degrees, doctorates, and specialized postgraduate programs
3. Continuing Education and Extension Programs: Short courses, professional development workshops, language academy (Academia de Idiomas UPDS), and training programs for external clients
4. Semi-Presential Programs: Blended learning programs combining in-person and virtual instruction with differential pricing

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Universidad Privada Domingo Savio (UPDS) is a private Bolivian university delivering higher education through 9 national campuses across 5 faculties (Law, Business Sciences, Social Sciences, Engineering, and Health Sciences). The university offers undergraduate degrees, postgraduate programs, continuing education, language training, and supporting digital platforms including a student portal, digital library, and mobile applications. It operates a competency-based educational model with international accreditation and student exchange programs.

Product overview

Universidad Privada Domingo Savio (UPDS) is a private university operating across nine campuses in Bolivia, offering a comprehensive educational platform with undergraduate degrees across six faculties (Ciencias Jurídicas, Ciencias Empresariales, Ciencias Sociales, Ingeniería, Ciencias de la Salud), postgraduate programs, and continuing education. The institution provides supporting technology platforms including a student portal, digital library, and mobile applications for iOS and Android, along with specialized programs like the Academia de Idiomas UPDS (ADI) for language training. UPDS emphasizes internationalization through exchange programs, research initiatives, and extension activities, positioning itself as Bolivia's largest private university with a focus on competency-based education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Academia de Idiomas UPDS (ADI): Language academy launched by UPDS to provide language training programs for professional development with global vision
• Portal UPDS
• Biblioteca UPDS
• Programa MARCA
• CRUZMUN

Products and services

• Undergraduate Degree Programs (Pregrado)

Quantifiable outcome

• 4,028 people reached through Social Projects Program in 2025
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Gobierno Autónomo Municipal de La PazcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFramework agreement for research, innovation, and sustainable urban development. Signed in July 2026 at Palacio Consistorial de La Paz during Fiestas Julias.
• Universidad de Investigación e Innovación de MéxicocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFramework agreement establishing opportunities for academic formation, research, mobility, and joint project development between both institutions.
• CUICONDES (Consultora Ciudadanía, Resolución y Desarrollo Sostenible)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgreement for professional internships, pre-professional practicums, research, and training focused on sustainable development.
• Organización Internacional para las Migraciones (OIM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlliance to develop joint research projects, training, and international cooperation on migration and vulnerable population protection.
• UNIR (Universidad Internacional de La Rioja)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic alliance strengthened in 2026 with new cooperation lines in research, faculty development, and institutional advancement.
• Grupo ChávezminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgreement enabling student internships and pre-professional practicums, while providing group company employees with academic benefits.
• SODESBO (Sociedad de Escritores de Bolivia)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlliance to strengthen writing, research, and literary creation through academic, editorial, and cultural activities.
• REF Bolivia (Red de Emprendedores de Bolivia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUPDS participated in REF Bolivia's Annual All Members Meeting, gathering 250+ executives, founders, and entrepreneurs in La Paz.
• Pacto Global Red BoliviacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUPDS incorporated into UN Global Compact network in Bolivia, committing to sustainability and social transformation principles.
• CEPAD (Centro Pedagógico de Arquitectura y Desarrollo)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlliance to promote culture, history, and sustainable development of Santa Cruz through academic activities.
• Clínica Integral de la FamiliaminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnership strengthening practical training for Psychology and Psychopedagogy students through clinical practicum opportunities.
• IDEPRO IFDminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgreement to promote financial inclusion and technological innovation through specialized student internships.
• Linkser S.A.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership enabling students to practice in real corporate ecosystems, strengthening professional training.
• Fundación Hombres NuevosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgreement to strengthen academic formation and social projection through cooperation projects.
• Ratio LegisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for legal education and professional training articulation in the legal field.
• UCASAL (Universidad Católica de Salta)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMirror classrooms program covering negotiation and research methodologies for international academic exchange.
• CLADEA (Latin American Council of Management Schools)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUPDS strengthened international ties at CLADEA regional meeting in Chile, which connects 290+ institutions from 35 countries.
• Parlamento AndinocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for international projection and academic integration with Andean regional parliament.
• Colegio de Abogados del BeniminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitutional cooperation agreement for legal professional development.
• Parque Científico CREA Santa Cruz / COPEScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUPDS Vice-Rector appointed to Permanent Evaluation Committee of Scientific and Technological Park, integrating academia with productive sector and public institutions.
• UAGRM (Universidad Autónoma Gabriel René Moreno)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution for COPES committee ceremony; collaboration on scientific park development.
• Universidad de San Carlos de GuatemalaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgreement to strengthen scientific research and academic exchange with Central American institution.
• Universidad Nacional de Asunción (Paraguay)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMARCA program exchange partner for academic mobility in MERCOSUR region.
• Universidad de Cuenca (Ecuador)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudent exchange partner for journalism and communication students.
• Embajada de Japón / Delegación JaponesaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiplomatic visit to explore future cooperation with Japanese entities for academic, scientific and technological collaboration.
• Embajada de Alemania / Consul AlemánminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman delegation visited campus, toured laboratories, reviewed patented projects and publications, opening cooperation agenda.
• Embajada de Estados Unidos / USAIDminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners in English language programs including YES PLUS and CHOP scholarship programs.
• Politécnico de MilánminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration on water cartography methodology with AI applied to Santa Cruz.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Universidad Privada Boliviana (UPB): A leading private university in Bolivia offering undergraduate and graduate programs across multiple faculties. Direct competitor to UPDS in the Bolivian private higher education market with similar target segments and business model.
• Universidad Católica Boliviana San Pablo (UCB): A prominent private Catholic university in Bolivia operating across multiple cities with undergraduate and graduate programs. Direct competitor to UPDS in private higher education, targeting similar student segments with degree-oriented programs.
• Universidad Internacional de La Rioja (UNIR): Spanish online university and UPDS strategic partner since 2026 with cooperation in research and faculty development. Comparable through online/distance higher education delivery model and Latin American market focus.
• Universidad del Valle (Univalle): Private Bolivian university with multiple campuses and undergraduate/graduate programs. Comparable in scale and target market to UPDS as a private higher education competitor in Bolivia.

Regional players

• Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala (USAC): Central America's oldest public university and UPDS exchange partner for academic and research collaboration. Comparable through Latin American public university scale and regional academic mobility programs.
• Universidad Católica de Salta (UCASAL): Argentine private Catholic university that operates mirror classrooms programs with UPDS for negotiation and research methodologies. Comparable as a regional private university peer in the MERCOSUR academic mobility ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• Universidad Mayor de San Andrés (UMSA): Bolivia's largest public university, headquartered in La Paz where the subject entity operates. Competes directly with UPDS for undergraduate enrollment but with the structural advantage of free tuition funded by the state.
• Universidad Autónoma Gabriel René Moreno (UAGRM): Major public university located in Santa Cruz, UPDS's headquarters city. Hosts the COPES scientific park committee where UPDS's Vice-Rector participates. Direct competitor for students in the same metro area.
• Politécnico de Milán: Top-ranked Italian technical university partnering with UPDS on AI water cartography research. Comparable through engineering programs and applied research collaboration with Latin American institutions.

Emerging players

• Universidad Galileo: Private Guatemalan university with strong online and continuing education programs in Central America. Comparable to UPDS as a private Latin American university leveraging digital delivery and competency-based models.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/udomingosavio
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/UPDSsc
• Facebookfacebook.com/UPDS.bo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/universidadprivadadomingosavio-lapaz
• Instagraminstagram.com/upds_santacruz

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Universidad Privada Domingo Savio - Sede La Paz