Mariano Rajoy chairs meeting of committee to oversee events to commemorate 8th centenary of University of Salamanca

University of Salamanca

The President of the Government stressed to the Inter-institutional Committee to Commemorate the 8th Centenary of the University of Salamanca, that, since it was founded in the 13th Century, the University of Salamanca "has been a source of knowledge and has borne witness to the key events that have taken place in Spain's history and culture", as well as having been a benchmark for many of the American universities founded in the 15th, 16th and 17th Centuries.

After recalling some of the famous students and professors to pass through this university, Mariano Rajoy highlighted that it has always been a "pioneer in many fields". It was the first university to have a Chair in Economics, to organise Spanish courses for foreigners, to have a university library in Europe and to have the first female university professor in the world.

Benchmark for teaching and research

Pool Moncloa / Diego CrespoThe President of the Government underlined that the University of Salamanca "is today, a benchmark in teaching, research and the transfer of knowledge, a driver of innovation, talent and entrepreneurship, and a reference in promoting scientific, cultural and educational cooperation and equal opportunities".

He also recalled that together with the University of Coimbra, the University of Salamanca received the Prince of Asturias Prize for International Cooperation in 1986 "for the extraordinary contribution by both universities to fostering the spirit of all those countries that make up the Ibero-American Community".

Total commitment from the government

Pool Moncloa / Diego CrespoAs an example of the government's commitment to commemorating this centenary, which will take place in 2018, Mariano Rajoy said that it has been granted "the maximum fiscal advantages" for the maximum period of time (from 1 November 2015 to 31 October 2018), as well as the lease of the Bank of Spain building in Salamanca, which "after having been re-modelled, will become one of the benchmark centres of Spanish-language teaching.

The President of the Government explained that five lines of action have been proposed: The Universality of Spanish; International leadership in higher education; Excellence at university; Heritage and infrastructures, and, finally, national and international promotion.

Mariano Rajoy added that, furthermore, these initiatives "will boost the urban and productive fabric of the city and of the region", as well as allow for the creation of an international pole for teaching, research and the transfer of knowledge, which will give "a major boost to the incorporation of our country in the knowledge society".

State objective

Pool Moncloa / Diego CrespoThe President of the Government explained that the 8th centenary of the University of Salamanca is a "State objective", due to the material importance and the magnitude of the event. Moreover, it should be seen "as a tribute to all Spanish, European and Ibero-American universities".

In this regard, he underlined the importance of "all working together towards the main national goals, where higher education takes on a fundamental role".

To end, the President of the Government proposed that the opening of academic year 2017-2018 should take place at the University of Salamanca, to thus highlight "the importance, at a national level, of the celebration of the 8th centenary".