2026-07-072026-07-07http://salesiana.dossiersoluciones.com/handle/123456789/187128The universal Witham hierarchy is considered from the point of view of topological field theories. The $τ$-function for this hierarchy is defined. It is proved that the algebraic orbits of Whitham hierarchy can be identified with various topological matter models coupled with topological gravity.(34 pages LATEX file) LPTENS--92/18High Energy Physics - TheoryThe $τ$-function of the universal Whitham hierarchy, matrix models and topological field theoriestext