The State University of New York at Albany, also known as University at Albany, SUNY Albany or UAlbany, is a public research university with campuses in Albany, Guilderland, and Rensselaer, New York, United States.

Founded in 1844, it carries out undergraduate and graduate education, research, and service.

It is a part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system.

A public university is a university that is predominantly funded by public means through a national or subnational government, as opposed to private universities.

Whether a national university is considered public varies from one country (or region) to another, largely depending on the specific education landscape.

The Capital District, also known as the Capital Region, refers to the metropolitan area surrounding Albany, the capital of the U.S. state of New York.

With a population of 1,170,483 (2013), the Capital District is the fourth largest metropolitan region in the state and the 45th largest in the country.

Companies that have headquarters in Albany include CommerceHub and the Environment One Corporation.

In the 21st century, the Capital District has emerged as a major anchor of Tech Valley, the moniker describing the technologically-focused region of eastern New York State.

The Capital District was first settled by the Dutch in the early 17th century and came under British control in 1664.

Albany has been the permanent capital of the state of New York since 1797.

The Capital District is notable for many historical events that predate the independence of the United States, including the Albany Plan of Union and The Battles of Saratoga.