Unicamp was officially founded on October 5, 1966, the day its cornerstone was laid. Even in a relatively recent academic context, with the oldest Brazilian university just over seven decades old, Unicamp can be considered a young institution that has already established a strong tradition in teaching, research, and community relations.

On September 9, 1965, the State Board of Education appointed the Organizing Committee of the University of Campinas to study and plan the gradual establishment and installation of its units, since only the School of Medicine was in operation. The Committee was composed of Professors Zeferino Vaz (president), Paulo Gomes Romeo, and Antonio Augusto de Almeida. As a result of the Committee's work, the cornerstone of the University was laid on a 30-acre plot of land donated by João Adhemar de Almeida Prado on October 5, 1966. With the approval of the final report prepared by the Committee and the appointment of Professor Zeferino Vaz as Rector, the University entered its full implementation phase.

The cornerstone of the University's campus was laid on October 5, 1966, on a 30-acre plot of land donated by João Adhemar de Almeida Prado, 12 kilometers from downtown Campinas. The groundbreaking took place a month after Zeferino Vaz met with local businesspeople to define the profile of the programs to be implemented. The State Council of Education authorized the installation and operation of the Institutes of Biology, Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry, as well as the Colleges of Engineering, Food Technology, Science, and Nursing, and the Technical Colleges. On December 22, Zeferino Vaz was appointed rector.