11 September 2006
Others
This was the first academic event at Deusto after the summer holidays, and the onepreceding the opening ceremony of this academic year that will be held next 25 September. This date marks the 120th anniversary of the first day when classes started at this University. This academic year features some special characteristics, some of which were highlighted by the Rector during the academic ceremony: "First of all, this is the last year of the Strategic Plan 2004-2005, and therefore, its application will have to be completed, giving special priority during the remaining time, to the most important actions of the 5 Strategic Options and the 17 Projects".
In addition, he highlighted the steps given in the implementation of Deusto Education Model in all degrees, above all, with the new planningof all the subjects in accordance with the ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) European System for the first time . In his opinion, this process means the updating of teaching methods towards the automous and significant learning model. Likewise, the Rector pointed out that during this year, Deusto will also continue working in other important aspects of the plan such as: the introduction of quality management models in centres, infunctional areas and ancillary services; the promotion of Research, fostering solid and stable research structures, as well as the growing participation of a higher number of Deusto research teams in the national and European programmes; and the strengthening of the relationships between the university and society and its different actors, through a new communication plan,emphasis on the work carried out by alumni and their associations (through the recently created AA Office), the increase in the UD activities in favour of peace and reconciliation in our society, and the UD apostolic and pastoral plan.
This academic year will also be marked by the publication of the general guidelines for degrees by the Ministry of Education in November. This time, the guidelines will be established "by branches", that is, by wide fields of knowledge. These guidelines will enable universities to present the new syllabuses for approval and subsequent implementation. In addition, the new academic year is characterised by the introduction of the new UD postgraduate catalogue of courses, approved by the ministry a few months ago. Another important project at Deusto for next year, and that will also require effort and supervision, is the building of the new Abandoibarra library as a Resource Centre for Learning and Research, and a key instrument for the implementation of Deusto Education Model.
General Secretary and Dean
The General Secretary, and also Vice-Rector for Research, José Luis Avila Orive, holds a BA in Law and is a Graduate of the School of Tourism, from the University of Deusto. He also has a PhD in Law. He has occupied the posts of General Manager at the Public Company for the Promotion and Management of Industrial Land, LTD., Chairman of the Board of Directors at the aforementioned company of the Basque Government, and Deputy Adviser for Territory Organisation and Education of the Basque Government.
Juan Echano, Dean of the Faculty of Law, holds a PhD in Law from the Autonomous University of Madrid and is Professor of Criminal Law at the University of Deusto. He worked as an acting judge at the Provincial Criminal Court in Bilbao. At the University of Deusto, he has been Director of the PhD and Postgraduate Programme of the Faculty of Law at Deusto.
Susana Gorbeña, Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy and Education Sciences,holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Deusto, and an MA in Counselling Psychology, Boston College, USA 87-89. She also holds a PhD in Psychology from Boston University. She joined the University of Deusto in 1994, where she held the Chair in Leisure and Disability at the Institute of Leisure Studies for three years. She has been Director of the Centre for Applied Psychology at Deusto.
José Angel Achón, Dean of Humanities (San Sebastian campus), holds a PhD in History from the University of Deusto. Between 1990 and 1997, he was Director of the postgraduate course in Cultural Resource Management at the University of Deusto; he organised the first and second ?Conference on Heritage, Culture and Society", and promoted the Faculty of Humanities in 1999 and 2001. He has been Director of the History Department at the Faculty of Humanities.
Other Deans
Other Deans include: Angel Ormaechea, Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy and Arts; Susana Rodríguez Vidarte, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration-La Comercial, Bilbao; José Javier Pardo, Dean of the Faculty of Theology; María Silvestre, Dean of the Faculty of Political Sciences and Sociology; José Luis del Val, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering; andVíctor Urcelay, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration-ESTE, San Sebastian.
