UniverCity 2025: Future Studies in the UniverCity
On 11–12 December 2025, Mondragon University’s Global Digital Humanities BA organised UniverCity 2025: Future Studies in the UniverCity in Bilbao. The seminar explored the university not only as a space to analyse futures, but as a living laboratory to collectively prototype them. Across the two days, international scholars, students and local community actors engaged in collective experimentation through utopian pedagogies, Change Laboratory methodologies and experiential futures approaches. A key dimension was the collaboration between the
Women in Business Conference ”Women Without PARdon 2025”
Women Without PARdon 2025 showcased the connection between education and business through women’s leadership. In its 12th edition, the conference brought together inspiring women, including business owners who host PAR students for internships – to share experiences at the intersection of leadership, mentorship and real-world learning. Through panels, keynote talks and the PARdonna award, the event celebrated women who lead with purpose and actively support dual education through their professional roles.
Industry Forum on Pioneering Dual Education
Kick-off event which was the first edition of a future EU4Dual event series for industry and business partners
EU4Dual Winter School at Savonia: A Week of Innovation and Collaboration
From 23–27 February, MUE students participated in the EU4Dual Winter School at Savonia University of Applied Sciences in Finland, together with ESTIA students and staff. Working in international teams, participants addressed real-life challenges proposed by local experience service companies and progressed through the innovation process from problem identification to concept development. The programme combined workshops, company visits, and expert coaching with activities focused on teamwork, sustainability, and self-leadership, while also discovering Kuopio and Finnish winter
BLUE POINT
The BLUEPOINT project tackles marine plastic waste by establishing a replicable Blue Circular Economy model in the Atlantic region. It aims to create a multi-stakeholder ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship, focusing on developing marketable solutions for glocalization, recovery, and processing of marine plastic. The goal is to reduce environmental impact and accelerate over 25 venturing initiatives to create new, sustainable businesses.
MUDUALBA PROJECT VISIT AT MONDRAGON UNIBERTSITATEA
The study visit from the DUALBA project explored how Mondragon Unibertsitatea implements its Dual model. Participants learned about the Dual model, key programs, and faculty experiences through presentations and round tables from the Faculties of Business, Education, Gastronomic Sciences, and Engineering. The visit included a session at Bilbao AS Fabrik and a lecture on the cooperative movement. The experience will help Albanian partners develop their own Dual education model, aided by insights on accreditation.
EU4DUAL Entrepreneurial Winter School 2024
The Winter School involved 70 participants from ESTIA, Savonia, and MU, including 8 student-entrepreneurs presenting start-up market studies. The event fostered collaboration among students and professionals from EU4DUAL partners, emphasizing intercultural and intergenerational exchange. ESTIA’s entrepreneurial task force played a key coaching role. The connection of several entrepreneurs to the MOB’E international mobility program reinforced the strong link between entrepreneurship, education, and mobility within EU4DUAL.
Entrepreneurial Mobility Journey of Romane Forment
Romane Forment, an ESTIA engineering student and self-employed entrepreneur, participated in the EU4DUAL entrepreneurial mobility pilot in early 2024. Supported by both the Savonia Business Incubator and ESTIA Entreprendre, Romane developed her venture with dual mentorship, gaining international experience in two distinct entrepreneurial ecosystems. Her success showcases the alliance’s commitment to integrating dual education with entrepreneurship, leading to Romane becoming a fully incubated entrepreneur.
Leveraging Initial Success into Broader Collaborative Research Programs
MCAST has a strong history of collaborating with diverse partners to enrich education and expand opportunities for students, academics, and researchers. Through the EU4DUAL Alliance, MCAST has deepened these efforts, co-developing dual education models and joining impactful initiatives like Engage All (inclusive digital education) and the APP Mobility Project (enhanced digital mobility tools). Collaborating with institutions such as DHBW, Mondragon, ESTIA, and Savonia, MCAST advances innovation, reinforcing its role in shaping future-ready, practice-based learning environments.
Empowering Students Through Collaborative Innovation and Real-World Problem Solving
As part of the EU4DUAL 2025 Annual Conference, 11 MCAST students participated in a dynamic 24-hour innovation challenge. They collaborated with peers from nine universities to solve real-world sustainability issues. This intense, hands-on experience fostered creativity, teamwork, and practical problem-solving under pressure. Participants praised the challenge as a highlight, deepening their understanding of sustainable business practices and preparing them for future global challenges.