IE University and DIRCOM sign a collaboration agreement

IE School of Communication and DIRCOM (Asociación de Directivos de Comunicación) today signed a collaboration agreement aimed at fostering education, research and the dissemination of findings in the field of corporate communication and public relations. The agreement was signed today at the IE University campus in Segovia by the Dean of IE School of Communication, Samuel Martín-Barbero, and the president of DIRCOM in Castilla y León, Ángel Losada.

Both institutions have committed to use the agreement to further both professional and academic aspects of the world of information and communication. Key objectives include the creation of an ideas lab and joint teaching programs and research projects designed to provide a platform for University debate in Spain and worldwide. Another important aim is to channel knowledge related to management in the field of communication to all sectors and industries, including public administration.

Samuel Martín-Barbero, Dean of IE School of Communication, feels that the agreement enables the transfer of practical knowledge straight from the mind of the director of communication to that of the student. “There are no intermediaries in the process. It will serve to further strengthen the strong management component of this official degree in communication and will provide support for our international “Master and Apprentice” program, a seven-week course during which our students interact with professional mentors”.

The President of DIRCOM Castilla y León, Ángel Losada, sees the agreement as a way to enable access for professionals to an innovative form of education, while bringing the experience of seasoned professionals to training programs. “This mutual benefit will help to increase the role of strategic communication in the new forms of leadership demanded by the knowledge society.” Losada underscored the fact that one of the main challenges would be to recognize the importance of communication for business organization processes, and to study what improvements can be made in this respect.

The agreement means that IE School of Communication and DIRCOM will strengthen communication between the two organizations in order to leverage the channels used by both to disseminate their academic and professional activities. Dircom will also be offering IE University alumni the same advantages as its members for a period of 3 months, as well as the opportunity to be included in its job bank. IE University will provide free access to all co-organized seminars and congresses for all members of Dircom.