"University of the Republic" redirects here. For the university in San Marino, see University of the Republic of San Marino.The University of the Republic (Spanish: Universidad de la República, sometimes UdelaR) is Uruguay's public university. It is the most important, oldest, and largest university of the country, with a student body of 108,886 students (2012). It was founded on July 18, 1849 in Montevideo, where most of its buildings and facilities are still located. Its current Rector is Dr.