The University of Oviedo is a public institution of higher education and research in the Principality of Asturias. With an international calling, close ties to the region and a strong commitment to the transfer of knowledge to the business world, the University of Oviedo was one of the first nine universities in Spain to receive accreditation as a Campus of International Excellence on 26 November 2009. The CIE Asturias-Ad Futurum project brings together more than 300 regional and national institutions, companies and technology centres. Teaching takes place on seven campuses spread over the central region of Asturias: Oviedo (El Cristo, El Milán, Llamaquique, Catalanes and Oviedo-Centre), Gijón and Mieres, in addition to offering various university services in Avilés. In 2010, it carried out an ambitious process involving the merger of centres linked to the Campus of International Excellence and has been set as an example of best practices for Spanish universities. As a result, the University has 16 Faculties and Schools, four affiliated institutions and the Professional School of Physical Education and Sports Medicine. Moreover, the International Center for Postgraduate Studies manages the Master's Degrees and PhD Programmes.