Faculty of Engineering50th anniversary

Fifty years. Thousands of people

50TH ANNIVERSARY

The Faculty of Engineering at the University of Deusto is celebrating its 50th anniversary, marking five decades of history shaped by technological progress, innovation and a commitment to educating professionals capable of transforming society. Its origins date back to 1976, when the School of Computer Science was established, welcoming its first cohort of 171 students with a training approach that combined theory and practice. In those early years, learning to programme meant working with computers with very limited resources. From those beginnings to today’s challenges in artificial intelligence and digital transformation, the Faculty has evolved in step with technological advances and the needs of the society around it.

This anniversary offers an opportunity to look back on the journey so far, recognise the people who have been part of it, and reflect on the role of engineering in shaping the future. To mark the occasion, a programme of events and activities has been organised around innovation, artificial intelligence, the impact of technology on businesses and society, and the importance of a humanistic approach to engineering. It is a celebration that connects the past, present and future, highlighting five decades of knowledge, learning and evolution.

Deusto Engineering

50 YEARS

Deusto Engineering

50 YEARS

Over the coming months, a series of meetings, talks and activities will explore the challenges facing engineering, the impact of artificial intelligence and the relationship between technology and society, creating spaces to share ideas and reflect on what the future holds. Check out the programme and join us at the 50th anniversary events.

Talks, discussions and ideas on engineering, technology, AI and innovation

Explore all the activities we have prepared

Event schedule

50th ANNIVERSARY programme

Deusto Engineering Breakfast — "Beyond technology: how digital is transforming business and society"

16/10/2026 | 9:15-11:30 | Atrium, CRAI - University of Deusto

As part of the 140th anniversary of the University of Deusto and the 50th anniversary of the Faculty of Engineering, the Deusto Engineering Breakfast will bring together leading figures from business, industry and public administration to discuss how digital technology is transforming our organisations and society. Following the official opening by the Dean, two panel discussions will examine how digitalisation is changing business and industry, and how public administration is addressing its impact on society.

CODDII Annual Assembly (Conference of Directors and Deans of Computer Engineering)

26/11/2026 and 27/11/2026 | 9:30-14:30 | Paraninfo and Library - University of Deusto

In 1976, the first university degrees in Computer Science were introduced in Spain, and with them the first Schools and Faculties of Computer Science, including the one at the University of Deusto. Founded in 1997, CODDII has been the forum for meeting, debate and action for those who lead the schools and faculties offering these degrees. Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the Faculty of Engineering and the 140th anniversary of the University of Deusto, CODDII, which brings together more than 70 university schools and faculties, will hold its annual assembly at Deusto.

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Deusto Engineering Breakfast in Donostia — Humanistic engineering for a better society

February-March 2027. More details coming soon

A Deusto Engineering Breakfast in Donostia-San Sebastián to discuss the future we want for humanity and the role engineering can play in building it: a humanistic engineering aimed at a better society, at a time when the dominant narrative about AI leans towards the dystopian.

12th Ada Byron Award for Women in Technology: award ceremony

11/02/2027 | 12:00-13:30 | Paraninfo - University of Deusto

The award ceremony for the 12th edition of the Ada Byron Award for Women in Technology will celebrate the careers and contributions of leading women in science, technology and engineering, highlighting their ability to drive innovation and contribute to social and economic progress. Created in 2014, the award also seeks to raise the visibility of female talent and inspire new technology careers among younger generations.

The ceremony will have a strong institutional and outreach character, offering a space for recognition, inspiration and reflection on the role of women in technological development. Through speeches by the award winners and by representatives of the University and the scientific and technological community, the event will reinforce our commitment to gender equality and to creating female role models in STEAM fields, in line with UN Sustainable Development Goal 5. We hope that the speeches by the two winners (senior and junior) will once again be inspiring and offer us role models to look up to.

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Beyond the hype: AI, fundamentals and the future of engineering in the job market

16/02/2027 | 12:00-13:30 | University of Deusto, Bilbao campus

The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence is transforming the way we work in science and engineering, among many other fields of knowledge. Over the past year, the use of AI has shifted from searching for information to carrying out actions through agents. These advances are directly reflected in the skills companies are looking for and in what they expect from new recruits.

This talk aims to offer a rigorous, realistic and motivating view of how AI is affecting the different engineering disciplines and what future graduates can expect when they enter the job market. We will try to set aside the excessive hype and focus on what is achievable in the short and medium term. Can you imagine how you will be working in five or ten years’ time? How many people will be on your team? Do we have enough regulation and working methodology in place? Which degrees will be in high demand?

Launch of the 50th anniversary commemorative book

February 2027. More details coming soon

Engineering Week

15/02/2027 to 25/02/2027 | University of Deusto

Engineering Week is an initiative that brings engineering closer to students and the wider public through activities, workshops, talks and hands-on experiences. It aims to showcase the different engineering disciplines, spark interest in innovation and technology, and demonstrate their real-world applications. It is a space for learning, sharing knowledge and discovering new academic and professional opportunities.

Highlights from the 2025 edition

AI-CES 2027 — International Summer School

03/05/2027 to 07/05/2027 | Full day Mon-Thu, Friday morning | University of Deusto, Faculty of Engineering (Bilbao)

AI-CES 2027 is an international summer school focusing on the cognitive, ethical and social dimensions of artificial intelligence, organised by IRDTA with the University of Deusto’s Faculty of Engineering as host. It is led by Carlos Martín-Vide (Rovira i Virgili University, former Vice-President of the European Research Council), with whom the Faculty has previously collaborated on similar schools (WebST 2015, BigDat 2016, Deep Learning Bilbao 2017).

It will feature leading international scientists and academics as speakers (including Turing Award winners) and will offer free access to Deusto’s predoctoral and postdoctoral researchers.

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Alumni Reunion · 50 years of engineering

08/05/2027 | Morning | Paraninfo and Paraninfo Cloister - University of Deusto

The University of Deusto’s Faculty of Engineering is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a reunion for those who have been part of its history: its alumni. A chance to reconnect, relive memories and share the personal and professional journeys that began in our classrooms.

The reunion will bring together different generations to celebrate what unites us and keep building ties within the Deusto Engineering community. An invitation to come back, reconnect and look ahead to the Faculty’s future together.

Closing of the 50th anniversary celebrations - Faculty Gathering

15/07/2027 | 9:00-14:00 | Atrium, CRAI - University of Deusto

Every July, all of us who make up the Faculty come together to give ourselves a space to meet: a moment to reflect on the year, share our experiences and celebrate all the work we have done as a team. This year’s gathering will be special. We will use it to bring our 50th anniversary celebrations to a close. It will be a unique opportunity to look back, remember the journey and express our heartfelt thanks to all of you who have made this shared story possible. With these memories behind us, we want to gain fresh momentum to face the future with great enthusiasm and with the strength that comes from the unity of our whole community. We look forward to seeing you there to celebrate our present and raise a glass to everything that lies ahead!