The Chira River, the carob groves, the monument to the Hero Miguel Grau Seminario—among other images of a progressive Piura—serve as a prologue to the founding of the University of Piura (UDEP), established at the initiative of Saint Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer, founder of Opus Dei. The opening ceremony of the Academic Year on April 7, 1969, was attended by its Rector, Engineer Ricardo Rey Polis, Dr. Agustín de la Puente Candamo, and the Archbishop of Piura, Monsignor Erasmo Hinojosa. Noticiero Perú, Lima, April 1969