21 May 2026
Ceremonial Hall
On 20 May, the University of Deusto hosted the closing ceremony of the 3rd edition of the ZUR-EKIN mentoring programme, a pioneering initiative jointly organised by the academic institution and the Basque Government’s Department of Education. This project is specifically designed to support and address the educational needs of pupils with high intellectual abilities (ACI) in secondary education.
During the closing event, the participating students presented the projects they had worked on during the course to their families, classmates and the educational community. Guided by lecturers and researchers from the Bilbao and San Sebastian campuses, the students worked together to explore areas related to their interests, such as psychology, mathematics, criminal law, technological innovation and entrepreneurship.
The main aim of ZUR-EKIN is to enhance the skills of these students and support their socio-emotional development by opening the doors to the university environment for them, a measure recognised by the scientific community as one of the most effective educational interventions.
Consolidation of the inclusion model
The closing ceremony of this mentoring initiative took place just a few days after Bilbao became the scientific hub for inclusion with the 1st International Congress on ‘Promoting the Development of High Intellectual Abilities in Inclusive Schools’, held on 13 and 14 May.
Both milestones form part of the same cooperative strategy for addressing diversity that the Basque Government and the University of Deusto have been developing in a coordinated manner since 2019. These two events have helped to highlight the progress made by the Basque education system in this area, with the number of identified highly able students increasing tenfold in recent years, ensuring that no talent is left behind.
Find out more about the Congress.
