Hugo Sarabia Swett, Engineer
Hugo Sarabia Swett, a civil engineer with a master's degree in mathematics, served as the university's president during some of the most difficult years in our country's recent history, and he managed to keep the university running smoothly without any significant problems.
Having received his entire education at PUCP, Sarabia graduated in 1954 and went on to become head of the Geometry and Calculus lab in 1956, and in 1958 began teaching Infinitesimal Calculus as an adjunct professor. By 1963, he was one of the first three full-time engineering professors. He has devoted himself almost exclusively to university work ever since.
In 1968, with a view to further strengthening the faculty in mathematics and civil engineering, he left to pursue a master’s degree in mathematics at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, U.S. Upon his return in 1970, he was elected chair of the Department of Science.
In 1973, he was appointed to the University Directorate for Faculty Academic Affairs, the predecessor of the current DAP; he held this position until 1977, when he was elected vice rector alongside Dr. José Tola Pasquel. He was reelected to this position in 1984.
At the end of Dr. Tola’s term, Engineer Sarabia was elected by the University Assembly to serve as rector for the 1989–1994 term. Among his most significant achievements was the construction and opening of the PUCP Cultural Center in San Isidro. After his term as rector, he returned to teaching.
Their book *Introduction to Analysis*, co-authored with Carlos Véliz, has served as an essential reference for mathematics students at both the PUCP and other universities across the country throughout its three editions.
