IE University adds Economics degree to its curriculum

IE University has added an Economics degree to its curriculum, while construction of its vertical center at the northern end of the Paseo de la Castellana in Madrid, 181-meter, 36-storey Quinta Torre, progresses. The announcement was made today by the Rector of IE University, Salvador Carmona, during the first part of the graduation ceremony for 2019 students, which took place today in the Aula Magna of IE University’s  Santa Cruz la Real campus in Segovia.

The new, four-year degree in Economics from IE will be taught in English from September at the Segovia and Madrid centers. Students will explore and study the disciplines of Economics, Political Science, Human Behavior Sciences and Modern Applied Technology, “in order to acquire the ability to analyze the current economic environment and to understand how it shapes the society in which we live and work.” The new degree is aimed at students with a passion for analysis and technology seeking to generate an impact in the economy of the digital era.

This year, IE University has produced graduates from 55 nationalities belonging to the different schools that make up the institution: IE Business School, IE Law School, IE School of Global and Public Affairs, IE School of Human Sciences & Technology and IE School of Architecture & Design. Specifically, the graduates are from the degree programs in Business Administration, Architecture, Communication, Law, Psychology, International Relations, Dual BBA-LLB and Dual BBA-BIR.

Among the most outstanding data, it is worth noting that this year’s graduates took part in  361 exchange programs at universities IE University has agreements with, while 471 professional internship programs took place. Likewise, 60% of graduates have studied a foreign language, 17% speak two foreign languages and 3% speak three or more languages.

Due to the limited capacity of the Aula Magna and the significant number of graduates, this year four ceremonies are being held, divided between today and tomorrow, in morning and afternoon sessions.

The patrons of the 2019 cohort were Carlos Fernández González (Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Finaccess), Verónica Pascual Boé (Executive President of ASTI TechGroup), George Kapsch (Executive Chairman of the Kapsch Group and President of the Austrian Federation of Industries ) and Laila Mamou (CEO and Executive President of the Board of Directors of Crédit Agricole Consumer Finance in Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain).

In his speech to the new graduates, Rector Salvador Carmona recalled the global ranking of employability published by Times Higher Education, an international benchmark for the university sector, which placed IE University in 24th position globally for the second year in a row. However, he noted that “we are not satisfied with this, and consistent with the idea of change, we are continuously reviewing the educational model to see what needs to be rectified and what can be improved; and hence our motto, Reinventing Higher Education.”

Carmona highlighted the expansion and improvement of the Segovia campus facilities, recalling that the construction of sports areas has just been completed. In addition, he stressed that the Quinta Torre project continues in Madrid, which will be part of the city's skyline, adding that both the Rectorate and central services remain at the Segovia campus. At the same time, he indicated that new projects and academic programs have been redesigned and put into operation. During this academic year, a degree in Data and Business Analytics “that signals our commitment to technology” was launched, while the degree in Economics “which is a benchmark in itself as well as a magnificent complement to current programs,” will begin next September.

In his speech, Carmona reiterated that IE University’s academic model of was designed to help students face the constantly changing challenges they will face in their respective professions and stressed that these challenges will not stop “and will take place in a dynamic and versatile context.”

“This experience has made you more flexible and will allow you to adapt to the changing demands of the labor market.”

“We have encouraged teamwork and we have deployed our best effort so that you are surrounded by colleagues with cultures and ways of thinking different from yours,” added the rector, noting that this year’s cohort is composed of students of more than fifty different nationalities, “so that this experience has made you more flexible and will allow you to adapt to the changing demands of the labor market.”

At the same time, Carmona highlighted the importance of technology: “We have made sure that regardless of the degree program, you are exposed to the most advanced technologies in your field.” He also stressed that entrepreneurialism is “part of IE University’s DNA,” adding: “that does not necessarily mean that you should start your own company, instead, we try to ensure that the spirit of innovation is a constant in your lives, allowing you to transfer it to your work environment." This attitude toward innovation, he insisted, has been reinforced through IE University’s humanities programs, "which has inculcated critical thinking.”

This year’s graduation events also distinguishes the students of the 2019 cohort with the best final degree projects, and the corresponding diplomas will be awarded to graduates. Likewise, the most outstanding students of each degree program will be recognized.