14 May 2025
Bilbao Campus
On 14 May, the University of Deusto and the Basque Government's Department of Education held the closing event for the second edition of the ZUR-EKIN mentoring programme, a joint initiative aimed at students with high intellectual abilities. This flagship programme enables students to explore their interests, develop their potential, and gain insight into the university environment through personalised mentoring.
Driven by the Support Unit for the Development of High Intellectual Abilities, led by Miryam Martínez Izaguirre, this programme is part of the Basque Government’s Plan for Students with High Abilities. This second edition involved 124 students from 3rd and 4th year of secondary education (ESO) and 1st year of Baccalaureate, supported by 14 mentors—lecturers and researchers from the Bilbao and San Sebastian campuses—who received specific training and guidance from the University’s Support Unit team.
Mentoring has proven to be particularly valuable at this stage of education, as it fosters students' emotional development, reinforces their self-esteem and guides them in defining their personal and professional interests. Between February and May, the programme included face-to-face sessions on topics such as robotics, artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, linguistics, law, materials and sustainability, as well as the use of a digital platform for monitoring and shared reflection.
The closing ceremony, held in the Auditorium of the Bilbao campus, was attended by the Dean of the Faculty of Education and Sport at Deusto, Isabel Rubio, and the Regional Minister of Education, Begoña Pedrosa, who pointed out that "this project goes beyond the classroom, it is a transforming experience, a window into the future". In this regard, ZUR-EKIN aims precisely to enhance students’ abilities by offering them the opportunity to engage with the University and explore research related to their interests and future aspirations.
The initiative thus promotes inclusive, personalised education focused on improving learning outcomes. In this regard, the minister emphasised: "Our priority is clear: no student should be left without the opportunity to develop their full potential. We know that students with high abilities require specific attention to provide them with the right tools to grow, both academically and personally".
During the closing event, which coincided with High Abilities Day, the students presented the projects developed throughout the programme in a session open to families, teachers, and members of the university community. This event brings to a close a programme that reflects the shared commitment between Deusto and the Basque Government to provide a more equitable, personalised, and excellent education, supporting students in their academic, personal, and vocational development.
