Capellán highlights the government’s commitment to this university, which has over 1,000 students, 20 degrees, and 80 master’s programs.
The National Distance Education University in La Rioja ‘UNED’ has improved its facilities – located at Calle Barriocepo, 54, in Logroño – following the rehabilitation, restoration, and conservation works of one of its cellars, respecting its origins but, above all, adapting it to modern times to continue preserving the tradition of these spaces «that we must protect because it defines us as a region.»
This is how the President of the La Rioja government, Gonzalo Capellán, has described it, who, along with the Minister of Education, Alberto Galiana, visited this rehabilitated space in the basement of the headquarters, located on Calle Barriocepo in Logroño, which is «absolutely emblematic within the urban fabric of the city of Logroño.»
An edifice located, furthermore, on the Camino de Santiago and alongside Rua Vieja – as he mentioned – are «the origins of the architectural development of the city.»
The UNED headquarters in La Rioja, owned by the government, is «emblematic» for two reasons. On the one hand, «from a historical and heritage perspective,» and on the other hand, «for the educational work that UNED carries out in our region.»
Capellán wanted to thank «the care and attention with which this almost artisanal work has been carried out, both by the architect, José María Pelaez, and the construction company of Leonardo Garrido.»
The works stand out «due to the inherent difficulties of the project, but in the end, they have been able to restore with the care that such a complex space deserves.»
«EXTRAORDINARY RESULT»
The result – Capellán continues – «is evident. It is extraordinary and has not only allowed the recovery of this space where recreational and educational activities can take place and improve this space but also to reinforce the structure of the building with these new arches that have been proposed.»
All this «while respecting a cellar that dates back to the 18th century and that is related to that tradition of cellars and wineries that we must protect as part of the wine culture that defines our region. A complete heritage recovery that values the legacy of the city of Logroño.»
In addition, the President of the La Rioja government also wanted to highlight the educational aspect developed at UNED. «Day by day, they continue to make it possible for La Rioja to expand and complement its offer of higher education with over a thousand students currently studying at UNED, with a range of more than 20 undergraduate degrees and over 80 master’s programs that allow a student profile that has also evolved over time.»
In this sense – he expresses – «we no longer only think of older students, or people who have to balance their work and professional activities with their studies, but a profile that is increasingly younger, with over 50% of the people who attend UNED being under 35 years old.»
He also values «the new profile of students who choose this university as their first option because either they do not have these studies in La Rioja or because they do not have the means to study elsewhere.»
«THE UNIVERSITY OF ALL SPANIARDS»
«UNED is the university of all Spaniards. Thanks to the associated centers, both in Spain and abroad, it provides that permeability to reach all Spanish territory.»
In addition, in 2027, it will celebrate its 50th anniversary «with that commitment that the La Rioja government remains fully committed to. We also do it this year with that first free enrollment for all under 30, which also applies to those who choose UNED to continue their studies, and we do it year after year in the way that real commitments and government support are always seen; through budgets.»
In this sense, he states, «we have had a 6% increase in these two years, we have gone from 300 to 318,000 euros this year, and this is a way to also send a message that we are betting on UNED, we believe it is an interesting option for Riojan students, and that is why we want to consolidate and provide the means for UNED to continue to be part of that higher education offering from our autonomous community.»
REHABILITATION WORKS
On the other hand, Fernando Garrido explained that the rehabilitation works were carried out due to the «risk of collapse presented by the cellar. For this, all the vaults have been reinforced, by building three new semicircular arches and how to transfer to these new arches and the existing ones, through a new hidden structure, the efforts that the cellar can bear, and thus ensure its use.»
On the other hand, telecommunications facilities have been installed «so that this space can have data points to carry out all kinds of activities and thus recover a space as beautiful as it has turned out.»
