The Rector of the University, Rosa Visiedo, and the President of Microsoft in Spain, Alberto Granados, have signed an agreement to promote the development of activities that lead to the implementation of new technologies for the benefit of education, research, social and personal growth, sustainable development, and local and regional economic progress. At the meeting, held at the Rector's Office, both institutions expressed their commitment to innovation as a driver of educational transformation in the new era of digital learning; Carmen García de Elías, General Manager of the University, also attended, 

"Since its beginnings, CEU San Pablo University has been a pioneer in understanding and managing higher education through an academic model which aims at excellence and comprehensive training. With the support of a leader like Microsoft, we emphasise our commitment to technological innovation to help our students develop their full potential and contribute with their talent to the improvement of society," commented Rosa Visiedo.

Emerging technologies in the evolution of the sector

Both organisations understand that educational evolution has to rely on the latest technologies as a lever for change in the current context of accelerating digitalisation. "The agility in the adoption of technology by students, teachers and other members of the institution will optimise the mechanisms of access to the labour market and offer new possibilities for both industry and companies to incorporate young people trained in emerging technologies as a complement to their curricular awareness. It will also favour university research." affirmed Alberto Granados.

The integration of technology with pedagogical objectives allows for more enriching, personalised and inclusive experiences that are well received in the classroom. Also, given that today's students will need to work in a future where Artificial Intelligence, data and digital environments will be an everyday occurrence, it is important that schools expose students to and use these technologies.

A long journey

In this journey of collaboration between the two institutions to promote a change of model based on creativity and innovation, what is highlighted is the intention to implement the Microsoft Garage initiative at the University so as to carry out design thinkingof business use cases. To this end, Microsoft Teams and the tecnology Microsoft 365 and Power BI will be key. In addition, brainstorming will be carried out where the students themselves will be the central players in the design of new, potentially applicable practical cases.

Similarly, the integration of Microsoft AI Business School will be promoted at the CEU as a learning tool to discover all the possibilities of the business application of Artificial Intelligence and its impact on the digital transformation of companies in different sectors. CEU San Pablo University will become the first Spanish university to be part of this Microsoft programme, promoting awareness of this technology - key to the professional future of its students.

Other objectives of this agreement that have been implemented today are the following:

- Incorporate Microsoft technologies at all levels for students and all staff at  the CEU San Pablo University Business School; and work at improving students’ digital skills.

- Develop a training programme on Microsoft technologies and in coordination with the digital, IT and communications industry.

- Build on the skills related to Microsoft technologies so as to enhance students' curricular and non-curricular internships as well as their integration into the labour market.

- Promote research, development and joint technological innovation areas that the two institutions consider to be of common interest.

In this way, CEU San Pablo University and Microsoft continue a relationship focused on providing students and teaching staff alike with the most effective tools to provide them with a training aligned to the requirements of the 21st Century. This has borne interesting fruits, such as the incorporation of the first AI degree powered by Microsoft to the educational programs offered by CEU San Pablo University in Madrid, Cardenal Herrera University in Valencia and Abat Oliba University in Barcelona, all implemented via CEU Digital.

To summarize, the aim is to provide the educational community with the best options to promote innovative and practical training with cutting-edge technology that acts as a catalyst and generator of growth for education.

You can access this and other content in the Centro de Noticias de Microsoft en España.