UNIVERSIDAD DE GRANADA

description of organisation

The University of Granada (UGR) was founded in 1531 and has a student population of over 63,000 members including undergraduate, postgraduate and further education students, lecturers, administrative and service staff from different nationalities, ethnic groups, religions, sexual orientation, political opinions, with a diverse range of interests and curiosities.
Currently it ranks second in Spain according to the Shanghai ranking (2021) and is the leading regional university in southern Spain, with 34 disciplines listed in the top 500.
The UGR has played a leading role in the Coimbra Group, the oldest European university network, which It chaired from 2010 to 2017. It is also a member of other networks such as UNIMED, EUA, IAU or AUF. It is involved in major exchange programmes with partner institutions in Latin America, Africa and Asia.
The UGR is not only committed to quality and excellence in education, learning and investigation, but also to the application of scientific, technical, and artistic knowledge in the wider social context, the achievement of sustainable development and the entire 2030 Agenda.
Its fundamental values include respect for people’s dignity, freedom of thought and expression, justice, equality, solidarity and the eradication of discrimination.
Due to its nature and history, the University aims to reach these goals through an inclusive and high-quality educational offer, which works in a transversal way with the common values of freedom, tolerance, and respect for diversity, which encourages cooperation, solidarity, and youth participation.
Regarding the target groups, all those university community members who meet the age requirement of the program are eligible to participate in the ESC.
Different bodies develop activities aimed mainly, but not exclusively, at the university community (composed by population between 18-70 years of age) in order to achieve a more equal society.
From the Vice-Rectorate for Internationalization:
- the Centre for Development Cooperation Initiatives (CICODE) promotes and coordinates initiatives for university development cooperation in the UGR. Its goal is to achieve a more equal society and world, generating a critical and committed citizenry.
Its action is open to all of society, especially addressing the student body to ensure that they will become highly qualified professionals, committed to the achievement of a fairer society and with the values of Sustainable Human Development.
To do this, it maintains relationships and develops initiatives together with other third sector actors, local, national and international groups and institutions.
Through the UGR Development Cooperation Plan, the Centre launches activities, such as:
• Cooperation projects, training and educational actions
• Aid programs to volunteer and work on the undergraduate/master’s dissertation within the development of cooperation projects
• Grants and aid programmes so students and researchers from developing countries can continue their training
• Awards program for best undergraduate/master’s dissertation in University Development Cooperation
From the Vice-Rectorate for Equality, Inclusion and Sustainability:
- The Secretariat for Inclusion is committed to the effective inclusion of people and its actions are aimed at achieving compliance with the principles of universal accessibility and personal autonomy, guaranteeing non-discrimination, equal opportunities and the full and effective participation of all the members in the University and therefore in the society. It establishes support measures for people in a situation of greater vulnerability and at risk of educational and social exclusion
- UGR-SOLIDARIA connects the university community with the problems and needs of the societies of Granada, Melilla and Ceuta through the promotion of training, awareness, research and the transmission of results. It has a local volunteering and “service-learning” program at the local level and an annual call for funding for micro-projects to promote and/or support initiatives that facilitate the sustainable development of communities and territories in which the University operates.
From the Vice-Rector's Office for Students and Employability:
- Social Attention Services, which inform, guide and advise on existing social rights and resources to support people with fewer opportunities, counting among others with a "social aid" program to solve economic difficulties and a "social intervention program for students with disabilities ”that gives human and technical support to students with hearing, visual, physical and/or mobility difficulties, or with Additional Educational Needs, to facilitate greater insertion and participation in the university environment
- Student Assistance Service, which coordinates actions with collaborating institutions and encourages, informs and manages national mobility programs and assists students of other nationalities in social matters.