Girona’s UNED centre is marking 50 years of distance university education, a milestone that underlines the city’s long role in accessible higher education. The centre began in January 1976 with 363 students and 11 degree programmes.
Carme Díaz, who worked at the Girona branch of UNED from 1976 until her retirement in late 2021, said she never expected it to last this long. “I never would have imagined we would last fifty years. When we had only been going for ten, I was convinced it would all go to hell,” she said, laughing.
Díaz saw the arrival of university studies in Girona, along with the centre’s expansion and its adaptation to new technologies and changes. Her long service gave her a close view of how the institution developed over time.
The centre now has more than 1,700 enrolled students. Officials say its current curriculum includes a wider range of courses and activities designed for different interests and age groups.
UNED Girona has become an important educational resource for the city and the wider region, helping people pursue higher education remotely. Its 50 years of operation show how distance learning has remained part of Girona’s academic landscape.
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