University of the Balearic Islands

University of the Balearic Islands

  • Universitat de les Illes Balears
  • Universidad de las Islas Baleares

Former names
 University of Palma
Type State University
Established 1978
Rector Llorenç Huguet Rotger
Students 19,505 (2012-2013)
Other students
 Researchers and PhD Investigators: 1,029 (2003–2004)
Location Palma, Balearic Islands, Spain
Campus Main campus outside Palma. Additional buildings in central Palma and on Ibiza and Minorca
Language
Website http://www.uib.cat/

The University of the Balearic Islands (Catalan: Universitat de les Illes Balears, UIB; IPA: [univərsiˈtad də ɫəz ˈiʎəz βəɫəˈas]; Spanish: Universidad de las Islas Baleares) is a Balearic Spanish university, founded in 1978 and located in Palma on the island of Majorca.

History

The origins of the University date back to 1483, when King Ferdinand II of Aragon authorized the foundation of the Estudi General Lul·lià in Palma, Majorca. This college was named after the philosopher and writer Ramon Llull (c.1232–c.1315). It operated until 1835 when it was closed following intense debate.

After 1835, students from the Balearic Islands attended university in Cervera, and subsequently in Barcelona. There was no higher education institution in the Balearic Islands until 1949, when the Estudi General Lul·lià was reinstituted under the auspices of the University of Barcelona. This initially offered courses in philosophy and philology, which were recognized by the University of Barcelona. The faculties of Science and Arts were added in 1972 (attached to the Autonomous University of Barcelona and to the University of Barcelona respectively), followed by the Faculty of Law.

The faculties of the Estudi General Lul·lià were separated from their sponsoring universities in 1978, forming the University of Palma.

Work on a new campus began in 1983, on the road from Palma to Valldemossa. This was a controversial choice; there was an alternative location near to the original Faculty of Sciences in Palma. In 1998 additional sites were opened in Ibiza and in Alaior, Minorca.

In 1985 the name was changed to the current University of the Balearic Islands.

The School of Tourism was added in 1993, the Faculty of Education in 1992, and the School of Psychology and the Polytechnic School in 2000.

Since 1996 the University has been funded by the Government of the Balearic Islands.

Rectors

Rapid transit line

The Palma de Mallorca Metro links the university campus to the city of Palma. This was inaugurated on April 25, 2007, but was closed later that year due to structural problems caused by flooding.

Faculties and schools

The faculties and schools are divided into autonomous departments, which are divided into subject areas. Each faculty is headed by a dean and each department by a director.

Also on the campus are the Institute of Educational Sciences, for teacher training, the Cultural Activities Service, which organizes the Open University, a student residence (Bartomeu Rosselló-Pòrcel) and a restaurant.

The UIB also has University Schools Adscritas, private establishments offering university degrees recognized by the University of the Balearic Islands (which are valid throughout Spain). The University Schools Adscritas are:

Planned developments

Guillem Colom Casasnovas building

The Palma campus is incomplete. The last building to be inaugurated in 2004, was Block Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos, the current headquarters of the faculties of Economics and Law. The remaining buildings include the main library, a multi-faith chapel and additional parking. Work is underway on the recovery of ancient natural areas ("nuthatches"), to form green zones which will be studied by biology students. Also proposed are the modification and expansion of the Ramon Llull building, the linking of the two Faculty of Sciences buildings (Mateu Orfila and Guillem Colom Casasnovas) and the construction of a building along the Ma-1110 access road, to be called Block Beatriu of Pinós II.

The UIB belongs to the Xarxa Vives d'Universitats and Grupo 9 networks of universities. It has signed cooperation agreements with most Spanish universities and with research centers in Europe, America, Africa and Asia. Students from the United Kingdom and United States can study at the UIB under the International Students Exchange Program.

Languages

The working languages of the UIB are Catalan, Spanish and English

Notable professors

Notable students

See also

Coordinates: 39°38′17″N 2°38′54″E / 39.63805°N 2.64835°E / 39.63805; 2.64835

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