The origins of Málaga University date back to the 1960s, at which time there was an evident need of Málaga society, which, through its citizens, authorities and media, demanded the setting up of a university. Their argument was based mainly on the number of university institutions found in northern and southern Spain and the fact that Málaga was the only European city of over 300,000 inhabitants which did not have a University and Higher Technical School.
One of the loudest voices demanding the birth of a university in Málaga was the Association of Friends of Málaga University, created in 1968, which counted on important figures from local life. This Association produced the biggest effort and initiative ever in the history of Málaga, all destined to creating a higher teaching institution. The Association of Friends of Málaga University emerged from society itself, which was represented by a group of local Málaga people from different sectors of the province. In its beginnings as an entity set up to demand a university, it echoed the power of the media, informing the entire population of Málaga of the importance of creating a university in the city.
The basis for the creation of this higher institution was already in place, since Málaga counted on an Industrial College, a Higher College, a Faculty of Economics (at that time dependent on the University of Granada) and a Seminary, which imparted different subjects of philosophy and theology.
The birth of the University was marked by a long process, which included, most notably, the creation of the University College of Málaga, which started to operate for the 1970/1971 academic year (initially including the sections of Sciences, Letters, Medicine and Pharmacy), and the decree for the creation of Málaga University (along with the universities of Córdoba and Santander), which was signed on 18th August 1972 and published in the Official State Journal on 30th September 1972, this being the final act in the process of the creation of the University of Málaga. The University counted initially on the already existing Faculty of Economics and Business Studies, and the Faculty of Medicine, which was created at this moment.
In the first years the main location of the university centres was the campus of El Ejido, although it continued to count on faculties in the centre of the city and in different outlying districts, such as the Faculty of Medicine, which was the first to be established at the new campus of Teatinos, which would be the future location of the University City.
The faculties have slowly changed location. This is the case of Philosophy and Letters, which was initially housed in two buildings in the centre of the city and was definitively transferred to the campus of Teatinos in 1985, and the Faculty of Sciences, which was initially part of the former University College, and was subsequently also transferred to the campus of Teatinos, along with other centres which have set up there. Nevertheless, some buildings are still located in different parts of the city, and also in the campus of El Ejido.
The University Today With little more than 25 years of existence, Málaga University has become a significant promoter of culture in the city, whilst providing a considerable basis for technology and research in the future. Málaga University is one of the points of the so-called “productive triangle” of the city, which also comprises the airport and Andalusia Technology Park. The Technology Park is bound to the university through the constant flow of ideas, highly qualified professionals and advanced technologies.
The ultimate goal of the infrastructure policy of Málaga University is to bring all the university centres and services together in the campus of Teatinos. Over the next few years the construction of new centres and the division of buildings which house more than one centre will lead to the configuration of the future University City, which will cover a surface area of nearly two million square metres.
The former Post Office building in the centre of the city is another of the outstanding buildings to be taken into consideration in the infrastructure projects of Málaga University. This building will house the Rectorate, including the Secretariat and Administrative services. One of the attractions of this building will be the public display of the archaeological remains of the wall of the city port, which was discovered in the subsoil.
Moreover, Andalusia Technology Park (PTA) also forms part of the future expansion of the university. This can be clearly seen in the forthcoming construction of the Employment and Business Promotion building, which will house the business creation centre, the employment initiative office and the university business incubator. This will be accompanied by the existing University Institutes building, to round off the presence of Málaga University in the PTA.
