More than 400 new students, about 100 more than last school year.
The Gandia campus of the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) hosted the Orientation Day, a session that marks the start of the 2026–2027 academic year and is primarily designed to support new students on their first day at the university.
Before a packed Aula Magna, campus director Vicenç Almenar thanked the new students “for choosing us.” This academic year, “the UPV’s Gandia campus has welcomed more than 400 new students—about 100 more than last year,” he emphasized. During his remarks, the campus director also offered some advice to the new students, including attending class and seeking help from faculty and classmates whenever they need it.
In this regard, José Pedro García, Vice Rector for Planning, Academic Affairs, Quality, and Accreditation, stated that “the UPV offers you a range of resources” to help students adjust to university life.
The First Few Days on Campus
The fact is, the first few days at the university are crucial for helping new students adjust. “We want students to feel supported from the very beginning and to know where to turn when they have a question,” said Marina Alonso, director of the UPV’s PIAE+ program.
For this reason, the Orientation Day is specifically designed for those beginning their undergraduate studies. Throughout the session, new students get to know the university and receive information about the academic structure of their chosen degree program, the UPV’s main digital tools, and the Comprehensive Student Support Plan (PIAE+).
The event also features student mentors, who assist new students as they settle in on campus. According to Candela, “they’ve started off with a lot of energy, and you can tell they’re eager to participate in the activities.” Diego, also a student mentor, commented, “I know how hard it is to arrive at the university without knowing anyone, and having a supportive figure like a student mentor is very important.”
Among the new students at the UPV’s Gandia campus is Ariadne, who has chosen to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Audiovisual Communication. “I came to the Open House and really liked the campus, the atmosphere, and the program I’m going to study,” she explained.
Minerva and Carmen, for their part, share an apartment in Valencia and will commute daily to Gandia to study, respectively, the Bachelor’s Degree in Telecommunications, Sound, and Image Technology and the Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Sciences. “I wanted to study at the UPV, so I thought to myself, ‘Why not go to Gandia?’” they said.
Upcoming Event: Services Fair
As a complement to the Orientation Day, “visits to the campus library and the Services Fair have been organized,” said Amparo Girona, deputy director of Student Affairs and Academic Planning for the Technology Division.
The Services Fair will be held on September 17 at the UPV’s Gandia campus. At the event, “students will be able to learn firsthand about the resources available in areas such as the library, sports programs, student organizations, and internship and employment services,” explained Amparo Girona.
The Orientation Day, aimed at students beginning their undergraduate studies at the UPV’s Gandia campus, was attended by Polimono, concluded with a recreational activity organized by the Student Council. The event gave new students the opportunity to continue getting to know their classmates in a relaxed atmosphere before classes began.