University of Alcalá
| University of Alcalá | |
|---|---|
| Universidad de Alcalá | |
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| Established | 1977[1] |
| Type | public |
| Endowment | 160 million EUR |
| Rector | Dr. Fernando Galván |
| Students | 22,836 |
| Location | Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain |
| Campus | Urban and Outskirts |
| Faculty | 1,616 |
| Website | www.uah.es |
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The University of Alcalá (Spanish: Universidad de Alcalá) is a public university located in Alcalá de Henares, a city 35 km northeast of Madrid in Spain, founded in 1977.[1] The University of Alcalá is especially renowned in the Spanish-speaking world for its annual presentation of the highly prestigious Cervantes Prize.
History
Today's University of Alcalá preserves its traditional humanities faculties, a testimony to the university's special efforts, past and present, to promote and diffuse the Spanish language through both its studies and the Cervantes Prize, which is awarded annually by the King and Queen of Spain in the Paraninfo (Great Hall). The University has added to its time-honoured education in the humanities and social sciences new degree subjects in scientific fields such as health sciences or engineering, spread out across its different sites (the Alcalá Campus, El Encín, and Guadalajara), all of which, together with the Science and Technology Park, are a key factor in its projection abroad, while also acting as a dynamo for activities in its local region.
The University of Spanish Language
Because of its rich tradition in the humanities, the University of Alcalá offers several programs in Spanish language and literature. Alcalingua, a Department of the University of Alcalá, offers Spanish Language and Culture courses to foreigners and develops materials for teaching Spanish as a foreign language. The University of Alcalá, together with EDUESPAÑA, grants the CEELE, Certificado de Calidad en la Enseñanza del Español como Lengua Extranjera (Quality Certificate for Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language).
International Agreements
The University of Alcalá is a party to various bilateral agreements with Institutions in non-European countries, above all with universities in Latin America and USA. Some of these agreements stipulate exchanges for first and second stage students. Like Erasmus Programme students, foreign students who take advantage of these exchange schemes are exempt of payment of tuition fees to the University of Alcalá, though they must meet their own costs of travel, accommodation and upkeep. Application to take part in these exchanges should be carried out in the university of origin. Once selected, the university of origin will inform the University of Alcalá.
Notable teachers
Present day
- Rodrigo Rato, former Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund.
- Manuel Marín, former speaker of the Spanish Congress of Deputies and long-time member of the European Commission (Responsible for the presentation of the proposal for the Erasmus Programme).
- Virgilio Zapatero, former Spanish Minister of Parliamentary Affairs (1986–1993).
Facilities and other services
The University of Alcalá is spread across three main sites:
- The renovated 16th and 17th century buildings located in the city centre of Alcalá de Henares are home to studies in the traditional fields of Humanities, Social Sciences and Law, as well as to the School of Architecture.
- Health Sciences, specialised experimental sciences, and the new technologies are found in faculties and university schools built from scratch on the campus just outside the city of Alcalá de Henares.
- Part of its recent process of expansion, the development of the Guadalajara Campus deserves special mention. Here, as well as the long-standing Escuela de Magisterio (primary education teacher-training college) and the Castilla-La Mancha Health Service Nursing College, both attached to the University, may be found the Multi-departmental Building, which is home for Technical Architecture, Business Science, and Tourism.
The University of Alcalá boasts an extensive network of 14 libraries spread across its three campuses. They offer extended hours year-round and during exam periods they never close. The University also offers a wide range of sporting activities, including aikido, archery, badminton, fencing, rugby and yoga. There are also courses in snorkelling, horseback riding and mountaineering, as well as other popular sports such as football. The University has a Hall for music, dance, theatre or flamenco, as well as the University Choir, "Tuna" (a traditional student music group), and the Film Club.
Architecture
Many buildings on the campus of Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas borrow architectural elements from those found at the University of Alcalá.[2]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Real Decreto 1502/1977, de 10 de junio, sobre creación de una nueva Universidad de Madrid, con sede en Alcalá de Henares. BOE. 30/06/1977; (155):14660-1. (in Spanish)
- ↑ Barrick, Nolan (1985). Texas Tech... The Unobserved Heritage. Lubbock, Texas: Texas Tech University Press. pp. 18, 23. ISBN 0-89672-125-6.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to University of Alcalá. |
- University of Alcalá official site (Spanish)
- University of Alcalá International Student Home Page (English)
Coordinates: 40°28′57″N 3°21′40″W / 40.482536°N 3.361151°W