13 thousand square meters mark a bold step for education as UNIVERSAE today opens the world’s largest Vocational Training institute in Barcelona.
In a move that expands its footprint in Catalonia, UNIVERSAE unveils its second headquarters in Sant Joan Despí, joining the existing campus in Cornellá de Lobregat. The ceremony drew political authorities, senior diplomats, and leaders from business circles who gathered to witness the milestone.
The opening signals a significant shift in the education sector, especially in Vocational Education, with Doña Belén García, mayor of Sant Joan Despí, chairing the event along with Judith Riera, councilor for General Services and Economic Promotion and Vocation, Miriam Espert. Attendees included Lieutenant Colonel Emilio Alegre, secretary general of the Defense Delegation of Catalonia; Patricio Garcés, ambassador of Ecuador; Mexican Consul Claudia Pavlovich; Loubna Rai, vice-consul of Morocco; Erika Imhof, Argentinian vice-consul; and Mossos d’Esquadra captain Cristina Sánchez, among others.
Mayor Belén García stated that Sant Joan Despí is committing to education and innovation through UNIVERSAE, highlighting the value it brings to the municipality. Without education there is no opportunity or progress, she noted, and she welcomed a project that blends economic and commercial development with education. She concluded that UNIVERSAE could become a major force in the town’s growth and transformation from today onward.
Manuel Gazapo, Corporate Relations Director at UNIVERSAE, added that Baix Llobregat and, in particular, Sant Joan Despí, are now on the national map. He explained that 13,000 square meters of facilities have been opened with top-notch design and capabilities that align with the school’s mission: helping thousands of students achieve their business goals and turning them into tangible outcomes.
A distinctive building with state‑of‑the‑art equipment
The new campus preserves the signature layout of UNIVERSAE head offices. It features two twin junctions across six floors and two main entrances, each block with entry halls and vertical connections accessed from an external plaza.
The facility houses 81 dedicated spaces, including 47 workshops and laboratories such as radiopharmacy and CT rooms, an audiovisual production studio, an assembly and post‑production classroom, a dental laboratory, an emergency workshop, a diagnostic imaging laboratory, and 34 multi‑purpose classrooms. Additional amenities include libraries, orientation offices, an educational and hands‑on outdoor area, and simulations. Throughout the interior, classrooms are equipped with the latest technologies to deliver an engaging learning experience.
In total, the Barcelona campus offers a 17,000 square meter facility between two campuses, complementing existing sites in Madrid and Murcia in Spain, and in Mexico City, Quito, San José, and Bogotá.
About UNIVERSAE
UNIVERSAE is a Higher Vocational Education institution offering more than 50 formal qualifications approved by the Ministry of Education and Spanish Vocational Training. It runs an innovative educational model anchored in a virtual ecosystem called UNIVERSAE360, blending immersive technology, gamified activities, and 3D simulations.
The network spans eight headquarters and 90,000 square meters of space across five countries (Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Spain, and Mexico). The campuses host practical experiences and activities, designed to be flexible, open, and innovation‑focused spaces through OpenUNIVERSAE.
UNIVERSAE maintains partnerships with thousands of companies—nationally and internationally—to give students access to specializations, premium education, and strong career opportunities. Through these corporate alliances, the UNIVERSAE Empleo platform lists more than 15,000 job opportunities.
[Citation: UNIVERSAE corporate communications and regional announcements]