It’s an important year for Marbella, as the town will see the opening of a brand new private university that welcomes its first students this September! The new internationally focused Marbella University – officially called the Centro de Estudios Universitarios Internacionales de Marbella – expects around 100 students in the first years and will start by offering four degree courses; International Communication and Multimedia, International Business, International Relations, and Publicity and Public Relations, though this is programmed to grow in stages. All courses will be taught in English and will be run by specialists with established academic credentials. Those behind the project stress the importance of this in assuring high educational standards that will attract both local students and those from abroad to study here. The credits awarded on completion of the courses are recognised by more than 100 international universities in 44 countries, emphasising the growing global linkages the Marbella University is developing. These aid not just at an academic level, but can eventually also provide exchange and valuable experience programmes for its students too. Every year, for example, the council will also provide grants for five students with top school-leaving results whose families could not otherwise afford to send them to university. News of the opening has been long awaited, so September will be an exciting month and mark an important step in Marbella’s evolution. Besides adding a valuable new resource, the project also shows that Marbella remains a favourable place for significant private investments of this kind. The Swiss Genint Group, which has interests in diverse businesses and sectors across the globe, has committed almost €8 million in investment in the project so far. For residents and prospective homebuyers alike, the new Marbella University also offers a valuable academic option and means the approximately 2000 local students getting university entrance each year will not necessarily have to leave Marbella to pursue their studies. Michael Liggan of Altavista Property Spain says: “For the local economy, the university provides not only an economic boost in the short term but also an academic facility that aims to provide a cadre of young professionals geared for Marbella’s needs and focused especially on those sectors and skills that will drive growth in the years to come.” The new University located in the El Pinillo district of Marbella is already looking to be a great asset to the area and will soon be accepting student applicants for the new academic year.