The UPXA was inaugurated at 11 a.m. on Thursday 21 of June by the mayor of Xàtiva, Roger Cerdà; the representative for social welfare of the Valencian Provincial Council, Mercedes Berenguer; and the Vice-principal for Territorial Projection and Society, Jorge Hermosilla.  The first edition of the Summer University of Xàtiva is a free initiative that is opened to the general public.

The European Union celebrates in 2018 the Year of European Cultural Heritage. Undoubtedly, Xàtiva is one of the Valencian cities with a larger cultural and historical heritage. It has had a great historical importance, as it was the hometown of the Borgia.  According to the coordinator of the UPXA, Gregorio García, it is appropiate to organise a seasonal university referred to the challenges of the cultural tourism. It will count with the participation of academic experts and renowned professionals. Gregorio García is also the director of the Master’s Degree of Tourism Management and Planning.

“They participants will share their experiences to improve sustainability and competitiveness of cultural tourism and the experience of the tourist. At the same time, it will result in a better quality of life for the local population,” explains the professor Gregorio García.

The Territorial Programme of Seasonal Universities

The Vice-principal for Territorial Projection and Society, Jorge Hermosilla, expressed that the UPXA aims to bring the public university closer to La Costera region by means of a series of conferences imparted by UV researchers. The Vice-principal has highlighted that this academic activity is free, as well as the rest of the seasonal universities activities organised by the Office of the Vice-principal.

The Universitat de València organizes 12 seasonal universities as a result of an agreement between the Office of the Vice-principal for Territorial Projection and Society of the Universitat de València and the Department of Social Welfare of the Valencian Provincial Council. These seasonal universities are the following: the Spring University of Xàtiva (UPXA), the Summer University of Rincón de Ademuz (UVRA), the Summer University of Aras de los Olmos (UVAO), the Summer University of Gandia (UEG), the Summer University of Sagunt (UES), the Autumn University of Buñol (UOB), the Autumn University of Alaquàs (UTA), the Autumn University of La Eliana (UTE), the Autumn University of Enguera (UOE), the Autumn University of Liria (UTL), the Winter University of Ontinyent (UHO) and the Spring Alzira (UPA).