The University of Pennsylvania is a private Ivy League research university founded in 1751. Located on a 299-acre campus in West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, it operates across 12 schools and maintains 190 research centers and institutes. The institution provides interdisciplinary education, research, and public service across the education and higher education sectors.
Penn's institutional philosophy draws from the values of its founder, Benjamin Franklin, emphasising open-minded curiosity, inventiveness, and the practical application of knowledge. The university pursues an interdisciplinary approach designed to break down traditional academic boundaries between fields.
Programmes such as the Penn Integrates Knowledge Professorships and the President's Engagement Prizes reflect an institutional focus on translating education and research into broader societal impact.