(ANS – Bahía Blanca)– Unisal - the Salesian University of Argentina - was officially opened on Thursday 26 March with an opening ceremony at the headquarters of the university at Gorriti 1249 in Bahía Blanca. Academics and clergy, as well as municipal and provincial representatives, participated in the event. They gathered at the front door of the building to celebrate the new higher level educational Institute which will now serve the city.

Fr Vicente Tirabasso, SDB, Vice-Rector of the University told the local press: "This is a dream that we have realized after many efforts. Just a few days ago, we started the first lessons. This is for young people - they are the most important.”

The opening ceremony was attended by Archbishop Guillermo Garlatti of Bahía Blanca; the municipal representative, Gustavo Bevilacqua; the provincial deputy Marcelo Feliu; President of the City Council, Santiago Mandolesi Burgos; the Secretary to the Government, Fabian Lliteras, and representatives of other universities in the city.

Unisal receives no state subsidy, and is administered by private individuals. Currently fifty students are enrolled and the teaching staff for the first term have been appointed.

 "Many will have questions about our educational standard. We offer the best quality we can, supporting and developing the young people’s skills, with the family spirit typical of Don Bosco," said Don Tirabasso, adding that the institute will help those who have economic difficulties with a system of scholarships and sponsorships.

The approval of Unisal was obtained in the spring of 2014, with a presidential decree. But the dream of this university dates back to 2006, when the Salesian Province "Ceferino Namuncurá" started the first talks for this project.

In the first phase, Unisal will offer courses in Psychology, Law, Communication and Education Sciences. In a second phase there will be additional courses to respond to the current needs of the local people and the objectives of the Salesian mission among the young.

The academic authorities are: Proessor Marta Pini, Rector; Fr Tirabasso, Vice-Rector; Adrián Mandara, Secretary for the facilities and for student life; Eduardo Garcia, Administrative Secretary.

Further information is available on UNISAL Argentina.

Published 31/03/2015