The first computer built in Spain hummed here. That’s right. Right here at the Facultad de Informática.
This isn’t just a building. It’s a legacy. The Facultad de Informática stands as a testament to decades of research and teaching in computer science. The Complutense University of Madrid was a pioneer in this field in Spain. Think of it. In the 1950s a research group here collaborated with Cambridge and Harvard. They were laying the groundwork for what we know as computer science today. Their efforts culminated in 1954 with the construction of the “Electronic Differential Analyzer” the very first computer in Spain.
In the 1960s the university offered pioneering postgraduate courses in computer science. These were internationally recognized thanks to UNESCO. In 1966 a significant milestone arrived. The UCM’s Computing Center was created. This was the first such center in a Spanish university. It pushed research application and practical teaching beyond the university itself.
The Facultad de Informática didn’t always have its current home. It moved around for years. The building that we see today however is relatively recent. It was only in March 2003 that the Facultad finally got its own building on the Moncloa Campus.
Even before the first computer science faculties in Spain opened the Complutense University led the way. In 1970 it officially established computer science studies at the undergraduate level. For over twenty years this program supplied graduates to the most important companies in the booming tech sector.
In 1991 the Superior School of Computer Science became the Facultad de Informática as we know it. Simultaneously the faculty began offering degrees in computer engineering computer science management and systems engineering.
The library here houses a significant collection. It includes materials from the UCM’s Computing Center and the personal library of José García Santesmases a pioneer of computer science in Spain. The library also has a specialized collection on artificial intelligence computer architecture and computer systems.
This building you see before you is more than just brick and mortar. It is a symbol of innovation. A hub of knowledge and a testament to the enduring legacy of computer science in Spain. The Facultad de Informática stands tall. It represents the incredible journey of a field that has shaped the modern world. A journey that began right here in this very spot.