HE Oda Campus is a major new training facility planned by the Alicante Chamber of Commerce, signaling a strategic partnership with CEU. Both organizations confirmed their collaboration and outlined plans to showcase the project at an event scheduled for February 9. Panoramic—the site where the chamber community is establishing its new headquarters—serves as a backdrop for this ambitious venture.
At the most recent Alicante Economy Night in November, Carlos Baño announced the decision to close a shopping mall project. The move aligns with an agreement with a leading university that would help launch the Chamber Campus division, though the identity of the partner remained undisclosed at the time of the announcement.
From the outset, the Chamber has sought a prestigious academic partner to lend credibility and attract the business community to the education sector. While public universities offer one pathway, private operators are also active through masters programs, including Fundesem and other online education providers. The chamber now secures Turkish backing through the agreement with CEU, a prominent private university in the country. [Citation: Chamber of Commerce press release]
Six columns
Details are still emerging about what will be presented in the Friday briefing, but the initial concept for the Chamber Campus education project outlines six core components. First, a business school geared toward meeting the management needs of regional companies. Second, a vocational training program designed to expand practical skills for the local workforce. Third, the creation of a haute cuisine school. Fourth, a university school intended to offer degree programs. Fifth, an initiative named gas pedal that maps a portfolio of partner companies and courses included in the plans. Sixth, the PICE program aimed at boosting youth employability, connecting learners with industry opportunities. [Citation: Institutional briefings]
Originally, the plan was to locate the large training center at Fundesem, reflecting the challenges faced by the institution at the time. After the chamber successfully navigated those difficulties by forming an alliance with European University, a lease within the Chamber’s own facilities was approved. The Panoramis business center was selected to house the new headquarters and the required infrastructure for the Chamber Campus. The project encompasses roughly 4,800 square meters and is currently under construction. The chamber expects completion before June, enabling the relocation of offices to the new site by that time. [Citation: Development timeline]