The Costa Rica Institute of Technology (TEC) (Spanish: Tecnológico de Costa Rica) is a university in Costa Rica specializing in engineering and advanced science and research, modeled as an institute of technology. Its main campus is located in the Dulce Nombre district of Cartago canton in the Cartago Province of Costa Rica, 24 km (15 mi) east of the capital San José. The TEC is a national autonomous institution of higher education, dedicated to teaching, research and extension in technology and associated sciences. It was created by Law No. 4777 on 10 June 1971.