The Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE) is a Pontifical Catholic university founded in 1946 in Quito, Ecuador.The principal campus of the University is in Quito. Other campuses are in Ambato, Esmeraldas, Ibarra, Santo Domingo de los Colorados, and a regional campus in the province of Manabí. The campus in Cuenca later became the Universidad del Azuay. All branches follow the National System PUCE.