The mayor of Elda, Rubén Alfaro, announced this news, which represents a significant step forward in consolidating the city as a leading educational hub in the region. Also present at the presentation were the Councilor for University Relations, Elizabeth Belda, and the director of the UNED Associated Center in Elche, Francisco Escudero.
The incorporation of these studies represents a strategic milestone for the city, especially in the field of Artificial Intelligence. Elda becomes one of only five locations in the Valencian Community where this training will be offered, considered key for technological and economic development in sectors such as industry, healthcare, education, and services.
Furthermore, the implementation of the Bachelor's Degree in Psychology will allow numerous young people to access university studies without having to travel outside their municipality. This will result in significant economic savings for families and facilitate personal and academic reconciliation, also contributing to democratizing access to higher education.
“"The arrival of these two university degrees marks a before and after for our city and for the entire region, as it reinforces our commitment to education as a driver of progress, equal opportunities, and economic development."
Alfaro emphasized that Elda is positioning itself as a city looking to the future, incorporating new areas of knowledge and adapting to the technological changes of the 21st century. Regarding the Bachelor's Degree in Artificial Intelligence, he stated that "betting on AI is betting on innovation and competitiveness, on being at the forefront of sectors with the greatest global projection".
He also highlighted the social importance of the Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, indicating that "at a time when mental health is a priority, training qualified professionals is an urgent need to which Elda will contribute decisively". During the presentation, the growth of UNED in Elda was also highlighted, consolidated after several decades in the city with a historic record of enrollments with 1,070 students in the 2025-2026 academic year. Of these, 40% come from Elda and Petrer, while the rest arrive from provinces such as Murcia, Albacete, and Valencia. Additionally, the Open University for those over 55 years old has experienced a 31% increase, reaching 359 enrollments.
