San Javier works on land transfer for a student residence beside UMU’s sports faculty

San Javier is working to transfer a council-owned plot to the University of Murcia (UMU) for the construction of a student residence beside its Faculty of Sports Sciences.

Mayor José Miguel Luengo outlined the steps being taken to rector Samuel Baixauli Soler during a working meeting at the town hall, according to municipal information released on 27 October.

The proposed residence would be located near the faculty and was among the matters discussed by representatives of the two institutions and their technical teams.

A council-owned plot beside the university faculty

The meeting was attended by dean Alejandro J. Sánchez Pay and vice-rector for Infrastructure Eloy Villegas, alongside the municipal architect, sports councillor Sergio Martínez and urban planning councillor Antonio Martínez.

Baixauli signed the town hall’s Book of Honour before the meeting, at which the mayor explained the steps the council is taking to make the land available to the university.

After the meeting, the mayor and rector visited the plot earmarked for transfer before going on to tour the facilities at the Faculty of Sports Sciences.

From 400 to almost 1,000 students in five years

Luengo linked the importance of the residence to the faculty’s growth, saying that student numbers had risen from 400 to almost 1,000 over the past five years.

The mayor also highlighted the faculty’s research activity and international profile when making the case for this university accommodation infrastructure in the municipality.

Its courses include a degree in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences, as well as double degrees combining these studies with Human Nutrition and Dietetics or with Primary Education.

At postgraduate level, the faculty offers a research master’s in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences and a double qualification in Teacher Training and Physical Activity and Sports Sciences.

During their visit to the faculty, Luengo and Baixauli saw the new sports hall and adjoining classrooms in operation, facilities which are already fully up and running.