The 2026/2027 academic year at the University of Almería (UAL) has welcomed its new students with a Welcome Day featuring a large gathering in the Paraninfo. The event, organized by the Vice-Rectorate for Students along with the Student Council, included the participation of the rector, José J. Céspedes, the Vice-Rector for Students, Encarna Carmona, and the President of the Student Council, Ikram El Yandouzi Jazali.
Along the main campus corridor, 24 exhibitors showcased the UAL's services, faculties, centers, and volunteer and association tools. Between 11:00 AM and 6:00 PM, about fifty activities were offered, in addition to those held on Wednesday and scheduled for Friday, all within a festive atmosphere of belonging.
Rector José J. Céspedes described the event as “a showcase focused on the entire university community, but especially on students, showing them all the services and possibilities of the campus in a fun way, organized by the students themselves.” He noted that the 2026/2027 academic year brings innovations such as new degrees, projects, micro-credentials, and an emphasis on cultural activities, sports, and healthy living. Enrollment figures, with over 3,000 new students, are higher than last year.
The Vice-Rector for Students, Encarna Carmona, highlighted the importance of holding these events three weeks after the start of the course to aid student adaptation. She emphasized that the goal is for students, in addition to studying, to develop as individuals through student participation, associations, and volunteer organizations. The total student population is expected to exceed 15,000 this year.
The welcome activities included talks such as ‘How to Reach June as a Representative’, given by Sergio Albacete, and for Friday, ‘Engineering in Motorsport’, by Carlos Alba, and ‘Mentorship that Guides: Peer University Mentoring’, by José Manuel Martínez. Exhibitors offered activities on digital health, virtual reality, psychological support, equality, humanist trivia, language center course discounts, and entrepreneurship initiatives.
