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The Maspalomas Summer University kicked off its program this Monday with the launch of several courses and an opening ceremony. The mayor of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Marco Aurelio Pérez, thanked the rector of the ULPGC for the support the institution has received over its 33 years of existence.
The mayor recalled the beginnings of the first summer university in the Canary Islands, "which was born in 1992, in a complex time, being councilor of Finance, and
"When institutions were short of money. In those days, people only went south to the beach, but we needed more culture and a need to debate and analyze current issues within society. And so this university was born, attracting, each year, professionals and experts trained to analyze topics of interest."
The event also featured speeches by Lluís Serra Majem, rector of the ULPGC; Pablo Rodríguez, island director of the Presidency of the Gran Canaria Island Council; Elena Álamo Vega, Councilor for the Government Area of the Presidency, Human Resources, Culture, Equality, Youth, and Education of the SBT City Council; and Guillermo Morales Matos, director of the Maspalomas Summer University.
Lluís Serra emphasized that the main objective of the ULPGC governing team is "to serve society and contribute to developing committed people capable of transforming their environment: to educate, think, transform, as our motto says. Through teaching, research, and knowledge transfer, we aspire to excellence and internationalization, projecting a ULPGC connected to the world."
The rector highlighted the ULPGC's ties to the Maspalomas Summer University, with which "we are committed to the ongoing development of skills and knowledge that connect the university with society and the labor market, allowing us to leave the classroom and respond to the needs of the society to which we are committed."
For his part, Pablo Rodríguez emphasized that for the Gran Canaria Island Council it is a "true honor to once again accompany the inauguration of the Maspalomas Summer University, which in this thirty-third edition once again offers us a rich, diverse program deeply connected to the great challenges of our time."
The island director congratulated the director and the team that organized this edition, which has enjoyed such continuity thanks to the collaborative work of several institutions.
“This Summer University, the first to be created in the Canary Islands back in 1992, has not only managed to consolidate itself, but also to grow, renew itself, and open itself to new perspectives, new voices, and new knowledge. Today, it is much more than an academic space: it is a meeting point for thought, culture, innovation, science, art, and social commitment. And that is of enormous value to this island and to the entire Canary Islands,” the island councilor emphasized.
In her speech, Elena Álamo highlighted the importance of the university's summer programming, seeking out training proposals to address new challenges, such as the second edition of the course "Youth and Suicide in the Canary Islands," "which represents a valuable resource for professionals and families who have to live with this harsh reality."
Elena Álamo also mentioned the course on Autism, which has had to expand its 60 places, and which will feature a testimony from a mother, Isabel Nieves, who will present a book about her experience. The councilor also highlighted new offerings, such as the "Introduction to Skateboarding" and "Musical Jazz" courses, as well as the courses that have already filled their places, such as "Singing with Breath" and "Introduction to Opera," which offer knowledge for singing professionals and will culminate with a concert.
Finally, the councilor recommended the programming of the Maspalomas International Trumpet Festival, the Maspalomas Costa Canaria Soul Festival, which will be held on San Agustín Beach, and the Canary Islands Jazz Festival, which has organized one of its concerts at the Maspalomas Lighthouse.
Guillermo Morales highlighted the interest shown by the courses on Youth and Suicide and Vacation Homes, with more than 30 attendees. He also highlighted the astronomy workshop, which, as every year, was fully booked. He also highlighted the start of the programming of activities for the XNUMXth Maspalomas International Camp.
The director of the Maspalomas Summer University highlighted the holding of 23 courses and workshops on various topics of interest, such as the 'Personal Image' course (from June 30 to July 4), the course 'The 3 Always Essential Tools. Achieving an Unbeatable Personality. Speaking in Public with Stage Pleasure. Mastering Dialogue' (from June 30 to July 4), the 'Looking at the Stars' Workshop (June 30); 'Tourist German' course (from June 30 to July 3); 'Theoretical and practical workshop on writing and expression' (from July 2 to 4), 'Democracy in the Canary Islands in the 4st century' (July 2), 'Industrial Heritage' (July 4), 'Cartography workshop (July 4), 'Introduction to Skateboarding' (July 2), 'Introduction to Opera' (from July 4 to 3) and the seminar on the 'Demographic Challenge: Depopulation vs. Overpopulation' (July XNUMX).
For the second week, the following courses have been scheduled: 'Nutrition without Diet Time' (July 7-9), 'Tourist English' (July 7-11), 'Assets of Cultural Interest' (July 8-10), 'Singing with Breathing. Diaphragm and Voice' (July 7-11), 'Neurological Damage: Life Stories' (July 8-9), the workshop 'Losing the Fear of Flying' (July 7), 'Spanish Sign Language' (July 7-11), 'Assets of Cultural Interest in the Canary Islands' (July 8-10), 'Musical Jazz Dance' (July 8-10), 'Cheese Talk/Tasting' (July 11) and 'Freemasonry and Society' (July 10).
Registration for courses and workshops can be done online: https://www.universidadveranomaspalomas.orgDiscounts will apply to students, large families, job seekers, and people with disabilities.
The 33rd edition of the Maspalomas Summer University is organized by the Department of Culture of the San Bartolomé de Tirajana City Council, the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, and the Gran Canaria Island Council.
