Its founders were Joaquín Lavín, Carlos Délano, Ernesto Silva, Cristián Larroulet, Hernán Büchi and Federico Valdés.

In 2006, the university opened its newest building for the Health Area Faculties in Concepción; located less than one block away from the main campus.

[1] América Economía magazine also ranked UDD in first place in developing entrepreneurship and leading abilities to its students within Latin American universities.

UDD features football, hockey, volleyball, rodeo, debate, tennis and basketball teams, competing within higher education leagues and championships.

[4] The University applied and got accreditation for five years in 2006, in the areas of Institutional Management, Degree-Conducing Teaching, Vinculation with the Environment, and Continuous Education.