First-ever “sold out” for the senior open university as the Nile truly overflowed
For the first time in its history, the UNED Torrevieja senior open university has had to hang the “Aforo completo” (full capacity) sign. The seven-session course “La vida a orillas del Nilo. Antiguo Egipto” (Life on the Banks of the Nile – Ancient Egypt), which ran from 4 to 26 November 2025, filled every seat in the Salón de Actos of Torrevieja’s International Conservatory every single afternoon.
Coordinated by Jesucristo Riquelme and delivered by Egyptology expert Santiago Mallebrera, the course moved far beyond the usual pyramids-and-pharaohs narrative. Over seven evenings, more than 100 senior students discovered the surprisingly modern aspects of daily life in Ancient Egypt: the status of women (who could own property, divorce and even rule), the crucial role of scribes, the basics of hieroglyphic reading, advanced medical knowledge, and the Egyptians’ deep love for pets – especially cats.
“This is not a university for the elderly – this is the university of the curious. What defines you is not your age, but your desire, your will, your interest and your thirst to keep learning.”
Students were unanimous in their praise. Blanca Sainz highlighted how the course opened her eyes to everyday life rather than just monumental tombs, while Manuel Lozano was fascinated to discover that “they were not so different from us, with their daily problems, defects and virtues”.
Key facts about the record-breaking course
- First time UNED Torrevieja has reached full capacity
- 7 sessions from 4–26 November 2025
- Delivered by Santiago Mallebrera, director of Egiptología ITERU association
- Topics included women’s rights, medicine, hieroglyphs, family life and the cult of cats
- Audience: mainly over-55 “curious” lifelong learners
- Venue: Salón de Actos, Conservatorio Internacional de Torrevieja
Why this success matters
The triumph of the Ancient Egypt course reflects a growing trend on the Costa Blanca: senior residents – both Spanish and international – are hungry for high-quality, university-level cultural activities during the winter months. Mild weather, word-of-mouth recommendations and the charisma of speakers like Mallebrera turned a niche subject into a social event.
For UNED Torrevieja, still operating from temporary premises beside the salt lagoon while waiting for its permanent headquarters in the new AGAMED university building, this milestone proves that demand exists and that the senior open university model is stronger than ever.
Next up: Alternative Energies starting 1 December
The momentum continues immediately. On Monday 1 December 2025, civil engineer Lara Cerdán Aznar will kick off the next open university course, “Energías alternativas contemporáneas” (Contemporary Alternative Energies). The four-week programme will cover offshore wind power, unconventional hydrocarbons and electricity generation, with additional sessions in January by experts Aláa Jasim Dakheel Almalik and José Manuel Pedrero.
Places are still available. Registration and information: phone 603 875 563 or email torrevieja@elx.uned.es.
Looking ahead to 2026–2027
Both Mallebrera and UNED tutor Ana Pérez Caselles have already confirmed that new Egyptology courses are planned for the next academic year – this time in the brand-new university building in the city centre. With dozens of unpublished topics still to explore, the banks of the Nile look set to keep overflowing in Torrevieja for many years to come.
As Jesucristo Riquelme jokingly predicted: “We expected the Nile to flood… and it did.”
