Torrevieja City Council supports education at its university campus with more than 1.15 million euros for the UMH and the UNED

The Local Governing Board of the Torrevieja City Council has today approved the collaboration agreements with the Miguel Hernández University of Elche (UMH) and the Associated Center of the National University of Distance Education (UNED) of Elche to continue and expand its activity in the new university headquarters of the city.

The two agreements contemplate a total municipal financial contribution of 1,158,806 euros, distributed as follows: 398,806 euros for the UMH during the 2026/2027, 2027/2028 and 2028/2029 academic years, and up to 760,000 euros for the UNED during the 2026/2027 to 2029/2030 academic years.

The City Council's financial contribution is complemented by the provision of the spaces and services necessary for the center's operation. In this way, the municipal investment supports both the facilities and a range of educational and activity programs aimed at students, professionals, entrepreneurs, international residents, and senior citizens, bringing new training opportunities to the community.

The UMH expands its program with a municipal investment of almost 400,000 euros

The agreement with the Miguel Hernández University of Elche establishes a three-year term and a municipal contribution of €132,935.58 per academic year, for a total of €398,806.74. This agreement continues the previous agreement signed on November 8, 2022, which has now expired. Given the positive results achieved, both institutions are maintaining and expanding their collaboration, adapting it to the current needs of Torrevieja. In addition to the City Council and the UMH, the following entities are also participating: the Universitas Miguel Hernández Foundation, linked to the UMH Science Park, and the MUDIC Foundation, the Didactic and Interactive Science Museum. The agreement will be signed by the Mayor of Torrevieja, Eduardo Dolón, and the Rector of the UMH, Juan José Ruiz.

The program is structured around five main lines of action. In continuing university education, one edition per academic year is planned for four certificates: Specialist in Communication and Marketing with AI; Training for Caregivers of the Elderly and/or Dependent Persons; Innovating to Teach: Active and Effective Methodologies in Education; and New Trends in Sports Teaching and Training. The first course will also include micro-credentials.

In the area of entrepreneurship, the UMH Science Park will develop the Torrevieja Emprende program, the largest initiative under the agreement, with €42,280 per course, along with workshops aimed at fostering an entrepreneurial spirit among Vocational Training students. The language program includes Spanish language training for foreign residents and specialized language courses, addressing the significant international population in the city. In science outreach, MUDIC will conduct STEAM workshops in schools, the "Eureka! Music and Science" program, and participate in science and education outreach conferences. The offerings will be rounded out with summer and winter courses open to the public.

The main new feature is that, starting in the 2027/2028 academic year, Torrevieja will have the University Classrooms for Seniors, the UMH program aimed at older adults. The City Council provides the facilities of the University Center, assumes responsibility for its maintenance, and makes other spaces available when necessary, and appoints a support person to assist the center's management.

760,000 EUROS FOR THE UNED CLASSROOM AND AN OFFER OF THREE UNIVERSITY DEGREES

The agreement with the UNED Associated Center of Elche governs the activities of the UNED Classroom in Torrevieja for four academic years, from 2026/2027 to 2029/2030, with a maximum municipal contribution of €190,000 per year and a total amount of up to €760,000. The program is divided into seven lines of action. Formal teaching activities, funded with €90,000 per year, include the university access course for students over 25 and 45 years of age, as well as the degrees in Early Childhood Education (blended learning); Psychology (in-person); and Communication, Journalism, and Digital Design (blended learning). University outreach, with €20,000 per year, comprises the Open University program, the Cinecrítico film series, education workshops, a summer course, participation in the Book Fair and the Oriéntate fair, and the UNED Debate.

The sociocultural, educational, and research expansion program, with a budget of €42,000 per year, includes membership in the Chair of Childhood and Adolescence, Spanish conversation classes for foreign residents, a Spanish textbook for the Ukrainian population, the Great Composers Festival, the VIALE road safety game for children and teenagers, the TOR TUR project, and research grants. The national and international cultural outreach program, with a budget of €19,000 per year, includes collaboration with the Cervantes Institute in promoting Pedro Salinas, the International Congress "Generation of '27: 100 Years of Light," initiatives to promote reading, European projects, and an international short film festival.

Finally, the library will receive €2,500 per academic year and will incorporate the donation of the Riquelme Talamás Family Library, consisting of more than 7,000 volumes. The two remaining funding lines correspond to consumable materials, with €3,200, and communication, promotion, and logistics, with €13,300 per academic year.