A UNIVERSITY student aged 94 received an award this week for her dedication.

María Galbete (pictured), who was born in Pamplona in 1914, already has a degree in philosophy and humanities from the University of Zaragoza, having graduated just before the Civil War.

Back then, women’s presence in the classroom was rare.

Almost 70 years later, in 2003, aged 88, she went back to university along with her brother.

They joined the University of Navarra’s Senior Programme, aimed at the 50-plus age-group.

An exam-free series of courses, it is designed to refresh and update students’ existing knowledge and giving them the chance to participate in debates, discussions and conferences.

The aim is to enable them to participate as much as possible in social, and depending on age, work life.

María describes herself as adventurous, having always been a fan of skiing, swimming and mountain climbing and having spent most of her married life travelling abroad with her late husband, José Luis Los Arcos, a Spanish ambassador.

She particularly enjoys conferences on the history of the region of Navarra, says she has always been in good health and practiced plenty of exercise.

María says the award was ‘unexpected and a great surprise’.