Companies demand more graduates than we can provide

Interview with Miguel Ángel Redondo at abc.es.

La Network of Telefónica Chairs, since its creation in 2001, has served as an instrument for training, research and knowledge transfer with a common goal: the promotion of new information and communication technologies (ICT). This network is made up of 24 university-business chairs at 26 Spanish universities, of which the University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM) has been a member since 2015, facilitating important advances in the development of teaching, research and management tasks in the higher education.

Miguel Angel Redondo He is director of the chair 'Advanced Interaction Systems for Digital Education'.

How is digital transformation taking place in the university

It is necessary to assess different axes in which the work must be developed to achieve this digital transformation. On the one hand, training people in digital skills, for which the UCLM has training plans for the entire community that make it easier for them to access all the services developed based on digital content.

On the other hand, the creation of content related to methodology, where the creation of the Digital Content and Technology Center stands out and, finally, the provision of devices with which to manipulate these tools and be able to work in education.

In short, there are different axes in which the work must be carried out and there we, as a chair, not only contribute in what is day to day, but in different R&D projects. Today, they will not have a direct application, but they will allow us to be prepared so that, when needs so arise, we can achieve success like the one we attribute to ourselves and was achieved after the start of the pandemic. From one day to the next, the university was able to continue operating using digital tools as if it had been something planned and prepared. 

How did the pandemic influence the development of new technologies?

It did not have so much an effect on the development of technology, but rather it was an effect that caused society to convince itself of the need for technology, in particular, to support teaching and learning processes. That is something that is now unquestionable. Perhaps a couple of years ago, we did not quite see the added value that new technologies could bring; not only because we are thinking of turning education around completely and becoming something totally 'online' and not face-to-face, but because we are now aware that technologies help us and make our lives a little more favourable.

You can read the full interview through this link