IE (Instituto de Empresa) was founded in Madrid, Spain as a graduate professional school in business and law in 1973 with the goal of fostering an entrepreneurial environment through its various programs. Over the years, it established multiple international partnerships with other universities, such as a dual MBA with Brown University and an Asian-focused program run with Singapore Management University. IE University opened to undergraduates in 2006 and was established in Santa Maria la Real Convent after Instituto de Empresa Ltd. acquired Universidad S.E.K. (S.E.K. are the initials of San Estanislao de Kostka, Saint Stanislaus Kostka in English language), which was founded in 1997 and was owned by the Educational Institution SEK.[2] In 2004, the regulator, the Junta de Castilla y León approved the bylaws of the Universidad S.E.K.[3] On November 30, 2006, the Junta de Castilla y León authorised the partial sale of ownership of Universidad S.E.K. to Instituto de Empresa, S. L. (owner of the IE Business School). In 2007 the Junta approved the modification of the bylaws of the Universidad S.E.K.[4] In 2008 the name was changed from Universidad S.E.K. to IE Universidad in Spanish language, and the commercial name IE University in English language (IE being the initials of Instituto de Empresa). IE University began operations in September 2009 and its first class graduated in 2013.[5]
Schools
IE University operates as the umbrella organization for six distinct schools.
IE Business School, the largest school by volume of students, is also the oldest of the six. It was founded in 1973.[6]
IE Law School serves as the main school for the undergraduate and graduate programs in law, as well as the center for the PPLE (Politics, Philosophy, Law, and Economics) Degree.
IE School of Politics, Economics, and Global Affairs (known by students as SPEGA) is the center for the degrees in International Relations and Economics.
IE School of Architecture and Design.
IE School of Science and Technology.
IE School of the Humanities, which is the newest of the six, launched in 2023.[7]
Criticism and social tension
The presence of the IE campus in the city of Segovia has generated a great deal of criticism from different sectors of Segovia, such as the residents of the walled enclosure, businesses and associations of police and politicians who have come to ask for its expulsion.[8][9]
Among the main complaints are the exponential increase in rental prices in the city, which was the largest in Spain in 2023,[10][11] the continuous noise from parties,[12][13] attacks on police officers,[14][15][16] dumping of garbage on public roads[17] and the progressive expulsion of Segovians in the city old area in favor of students, illegally renting out the apartments as tourist flats.[18] There are several proposals for student residences to alleviate the rental problem, but with continuous delays and students' preference for private apartments.[19]
IE University Residence Patio, Segovia, Spain
Madrid Campus
IE Tower
IE University's newest campus, opened in 2021, is a 180-meter tower[20] in the Cuatro Torres Business Area of Northern Madrid, Spain. It is a technology-centered urban campus, and is the fifth tallest tower in Madrid and the seventh in Spain. The tower has over 50,000 square meters of multi-use space.
Students have access to a new auditorium, as well as various sports facilities and green areas. The tower houses roughly 6,000 students across 64 classrooms.
In 2022, the Caleido Shopping Center opened below and around the tower. This shopping center boasts over 15 restaurants, a movie theatre, and shopping centers.
Maria de Molina Campus
The Maria de Molina Campus is situated on Calle Maria de Molina in the Salamanca neighborhood of Madrid, Spain. It serves the students studying their postgraduate degrees at IE University.
Segovia Campus
Students at one of the campus courtyards
The Segovia campus is situated beside the Eresma River, at the foot of the old city walls that surround Segovia's historic quarter and a five-minute walk from Segovia's Roman Aqueduct of Segovia. The IE University campus has a surface area of over 18,000 m/2.
Santa Cruz la Real Convent
Facade of part of the university's old campus in Segovia
According to the Life of Saint Dominic of Guzman, the Convent of Santa Cruz was the first to be founded by the Order of Preachers in Spain in 1218, just two years after the creation of the mendicant order of the Dominicans. Diego de Colmenares, a 16th-century chronicler, adds that Saint Dominic did penance in a cave near the river to the north of the city, outside its walls and that he founded the order in this spot.
The order's dedication to the holy cross also originates from the early times of this community according to Colmenares and other 14th century documents.
In the fifteenth century the Catholic Monarchs, as King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella were known, gave their patronage to the convent and this royal protection was what led it to be known as Santa Cruz “la Real”, i.e. the convent of the “Royal” Holy Cross. Although the city's institutions had played a part in the convent's development, the Dominicans were not a prosperous order until the Catholic Monarchs came to the throne, when they were given control of the Inquisition. The convent was rebuilt over the former 13th century Romanesque structure and the current church, with its monumental portal, was also erected under Friar Tomás de Torquemada, the first Grand Inquisitor and prior of the Holy Cross community.
The Dominican presence in the convent lasted until the monks were released from their religious vows as decreed by the minister Mendizábal in 1836. The convent then became a hospice and, until recent times, it was a nursing home for the elderly under the ownership of the Segovia Provincial Council. It has since undergone extensive renovation to house IE University.
Aula Magna
The convent church was designed by fifteenth century Spanish architect Juan Guasa, and is a faithful example of late gothic architecture. It now serves as IE University's Aula Magna, being used for graduation ceremonies and conferences; it is never used for other key events.
Student Life
Student Organizations
IE University is home to over 100 student organizations such as the Art Club, IE Music Club, the IE Debate Club, and a leading regional chapter of the European Law Students' Association. Students are free to join clubs such as the Art Club, but may be required to submit applications (ELSA) or audition (Music Club).
Aula Magna at the IE Segovia Campus
Student Government
Student government is held using a caucus system, where students vote for a group of students to represent them under one ballot ticket. The groups are usually around six, and campaign during the semester before they would take office. There are also various student boards, such as IE Law School's student Diversity and Inclusion Board.
Athletics
IE University offers various athletics which compete at the club-level in and around Spain and Europe. Athletics vary from basketball to indoor soccer.
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