Following the success of the University for Seniors last academic year, the University of Almería (UAL) and the El Ejido City Council have decided to expand and intensify their cooperation efforts. The rector of the UAL, José J. Céspedes, and the mayor of El Ejido, Francisco Góngora, signed a general protocol for action that will serve as a framework for future scientific, cultural, and academic activities of interest to the municipality.
This agreement, signed at the El Ejido City Hall with the presence of the Vice-Rector for Postgraduate Studies, Fernando Carvajal, and the Councilor for Education, Javier Rodríguez, aims to foster a dynamic of permanent collaboration. Mayor Góngora highlighted that this agreement will establish El Ejido as an official provincial headquarters for the UAL, enabling the provision of continuous training, cultural activities, and scientific dissemination, in addition to expert courses and master's degrees.
Góngora emphasized that this milestone complements the successful University for Seniors program, summer courses, and ongoing joint research initiatives, thereby strengthening already consolidated ties. "We are convinced that education is a fundamental pillar that must drive the progress of El Ejido," he stated.
For his part, Rector Céspedes underscored the importance of enhancing collaboration with El Ejido, one of the province's significant municipalities. He recalled that a key strategic line for the UAL is precisely to position itself as a university "not just of the capital, but of the entire province," reinforcing its role as a development engine for the territory through knowledge generation and transfer.
Although specific future actions have not yet been detailed, plans include the implementation of micro-credentials, research projects, and transfer initiatives. A specific collaboration agreement will be established for each, outlining objectives, necessary resources, and the obligations of each party. Generally, these activities will take place in municipal facilities made available by the El Ejido City Council.
The University for Seniors campus in El Ejido will commence its second academic year this autumn, following a successful first year with nearly 40 students and three training pathways.
