The European University of the Atlantic (UNEATLANTICO) has received the professors who are joining the second semester of the academic year 2024-2025 in a welcoming ceremony. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Silvia Aparicio, Vice Rector for Academic Organisation and Teaching Staff, who gave an overview of the structure and functioning of UNEATLANTICO, as well as sharing key reflections for the start of this new stage.
During his speech, Aparicio congratulated the attendees, highlighting that their incorporation responds to a demanding selection process in which they have demonstrated the knowledge and teaching skills necessary to contribute to the educational excellence of UNEATLANTICO.
Aparicio highlighted three values that a teacher must have in order to achieve academic excellence.
First, he underlined that every new stage entails a degree of uncertainty and stressed the importance of facing it with an open and determined attitude, encouraging adaptation and professional growth within the institution.
Secondly, he urged new professors to put ego aside, fostering an attitude of continuous learning and collaboration with colleagues and students. Aparicio underlined the value of building relationships within the academic environment, stressing that the exchange of knowledge and experiences is essential for the integral development of teachers. This allows them to enrich their academic practice and, in turn, to transmit that learning to their students more effectively.
He also emphasised the need to promote interdisciplinary research between different branches of knowledge.
Third, another central theme of the presentation was the impact of artificial intelligence on education. Aparicio adopted a balanced position, pointing out that the use of these tools can represent an incremental improvement for teachers, facilitating their work and optimising certain processes. However, she warned about the risks for students, as the indiscriminate use of AI could replace the learning process instead of complementing it. The vice-chancellor insisted on the need for a responsible use of these technologies, ensuring that they remain a support and not a replacement for traditional training.
With this welcome session, the European University of the Atlantic reinforces its commitment to academic excellence and the accompaniment of its teaching community, ensuring that each new member is effectively integrated into university life.
To conclude, David García (Academic Organisation), Pablo Herrero (Systems and IT) and Atenea Ruigómez (Virtual Campus) gave a joint presentation on essential training in the use of computer systems and the virtual campus. During this session, key aspects of these tools were addressed, as well as the need for teachers to have updated teaching guides, planning and scheduling, as well as class materials for each subject. All this in order to provide new teachers with the necessary skills to carry out their teaching duties effectively in the 2024-2025 academic year.
In addition, as part of this welcome day, a photograph was taken with the teachers who will form part of the teaching staff during this second semester, highlighting the spirit of integration and community at the European University of the Atlantic.