School of Medicine, UNAM one of the most recognized schools in the university and in Mexico. The latest three rectors of the university, including the current one, are former deans from this school. The origin of the School of Medicine of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, known by the acronym UNAM) dates back to the 16th century, with the foundation of the Royal and Pontifical Mexico University (). In fact, the first decree that authorizes their creation was promulgated by Philip II in 1547 and endorsed in 1551. Nevertheless, the compliance of procedures and the liberation of the
1999 UNAM strike rector and appointment of a new one. Along the way, bloody conflicts resulted in serious injuries and even fatalities on the unlawfully occupied campus. Eventual action by the recently created federal police finally ended the occupation during February 2000. The third article of the Constitution of Mexico states that all education imparted by the state is free. Whether this includes decentralized, autonomous institutions of higher education like the UNAM is a matter of (often heated) debate. Tuition at the UNAM is not free, and it had last been raised in 1948 to 200 pesos per academic year (tuition became 20