The Universidad Europea de Canarias (UEC), founded in 2012, is a leading educational institution in the Canary Islands with campuses in La Orotava and Santa Cruz de Tenerife. UEC offers 32 undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various fields, including health sciences, sports, business, tourism, architecture, law, design, education, engineering, and psychology, serving 3,000 students and employing 250 staff members. UEC is driven by a commitment to quality and innovation, earning institutional accreditation from ANECA, the National Agency for Quality Assessment and Accreditation. It is one of only eight universities in Spain with this certification among ninety. Furthermore, UEC has consistently ranked third in the national U-ranking BBVA for the past five years. Currently, the university boasts a 96% employability rate across all programs, supported by strong industry connections and a comprehensive educational approach. Its state-of-the-art facilities, including three university hospitals and a simulated hospital, enhance the practical learning experience for Health Sciences students. In fact, Forbes' recognition of UEC among the top 10 Spanish universities underscores its commitment to quality education and progressive values. As the first private university in the Canary Islands and a member of the Universidad Europea group, it combines global perspectives with local relevance. The Universidad Europea Foundation reflects UEC's dedication to community engagement, channeling over 1.3 million euros into research, scholarships, and social programs. UEC is a beacon of higher education, distinguished by its excellence, employability rates, cutting-edge facilities, and commitment to social responsibility. UEC promotes societal impact through innovation and entrepreneurship by fostering an entrepreneurial mindset in students across all disciplines, including STEAM and Health Sciences. It recently established the first Entrepreneurship Hub with La Orotava City Hall and CEOE Tenerife, supporting students and citizens in business ventures with mentors, business angels, and coaching.
Finalist
Young Entrepreneurial University of the Year Award
European University of Canary Islands
Finalist of the Young Entrepreneurial University of the Year Award
Universidad Europea de Canarias / European University of Canary Islands - Spain
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Summary
Key People
Ms. Cristiana Oliveira
Rector
Vice-chancellor Department,
Universidad Europea de Canarias
Ms. Elia Cambón
Senior Manager Academic Affairs
Vice-Chancellor Students Life Deparment,
Universidad Europea de Canarias
Mr. Juan Diego López
Associate Dean of School of Architecture
School of Architecture ,
Universidad Europea de Canarias
Mr. José Serrano
Associate Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences
Faculty of Social Sciences ,
Universidad Europea de Canarias
Ms. María Cadenas
Associate Dean of Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences,
Universidad Europea de Canarias
Mr. Cosmin Gabriel Bolea
Coordinator of Research Repository
Research Department ,
Universidad Europea de Canarias
Ms. Sara Patricia Torres
Academic Advising Manager
Employability and Entrepreneurship Unit ,
Universidad Europea de Canarias
Ms. Ruth Álvarez
Senior Career Services Specialist
Employability and Entrepreneurship Unit ,
Universidad Europea de Canarias
Ms. Vivian García
Project Officer
School of Architecture ,
Universidad Europea de Canarias
Acknowledgements
INCORE Consortium
OSEAN Ecosystem
Student Life Unit at UEC
Images
final meeting of 'UEmprende' at Universidad Europea de Canarias, a dynamic platform where students showcase their entrepreneurial projects, network with industry experts, and gain insights into the world of business innovation. This annual event highlights UEC's commitment to fostering an entrepreneurial spirit and providing students with the tools to turn their ideas into successful ventures.
'Shall We Meet' event at Universidad Europea de Canarias, featuring a special collaboration with PricewaterhouseCoopers. This event provides students with the unique opportunity to interact with industry leaders, gain professional insights, and explore career opportunities. It underscores UEC's dedication to bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world business experience
Roundtable discussions at Universidad Europea de Canarias focused on employability in sectors where entrepreneurship is closely tied to technical innovation. These sessions bring together experts and students to explore the evolving job market, highlighting the critical role of innovative entrepreneurship in driving industry advancements and creating new career opportunities
Dedicated entrepreneurship spaces at Universidad Europea de Canarias, designed to facilitate the entrepreneurial process and accelerate business development. These state-of-the-art facilities provide students and aspiring entrepreneurs with the resources, mentorship, and collaborative environment needed to turn innovative ideas into successful enterprises
Universidad Europea de Canarias demonstrating its open commitment to society by actively participating in university job fairs. These events provide a platform for students to connect with potential employers, explore career paths, and engage with the community, reinforcing UEC’s dedication to enhancing employability and societal impact through education and engagement
Transdisciplinary sessions at Universidad Europea de Canarias, part of the UEemprende program and the Chair with CEOE Tenerife. In these sessions, students engage in rotating roundtables to discuss and refine their ideas with peers from various academic disciplines. Guided by expert professors and external entrepreneurs, these collaborative environments foster innovative thinking and practical solutions, bridging academic knowledge with real-world business acumen
The importance of the 'Entrepreneurship and SDGs' Chair at Universidad Europea de Canarias, in partnership with CEOE, the leading national representative of entrepreneurs and industrialists. This initiative provides joint academic-professional support in entrepreneurial and acceleration processes, with a special focus on environmental sustainability and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It underscores UEC's commitment to fostering responsible entrepreneurship that aligns with global sustainability objectives
The launch of a specialized micro-credential at Universidad Europea de Canarias to recognize students in short courses (less than 15 ECTS credits) focused on acquiring specific knowledge, skills, or competencies for entrepreneurship. This flexible and adaptable program caters to the diverse needs of ideas, campuses, and requirements, providing students with advanced notions and practical skills for entrepreneurship in their specific fields
The ICTDT (International Conference on Tourism: Dynamics and Trends) hosted by Universidad Europea de Canarias is a seminal event in the transfer of scientific knowledge to society. Held biannually, this conference provides a premier international forum for discussing environmental, social, economic, and impactful innovations in tourism. It highlights the processes of innovation and entrepreneurship in a strategically vital field for the Canary Islands, opening numerous opportunities for our students and placing them at the forefront of industry developments.
State-of-the-art facilities at Universidad Europea de Canarias, including our advanced simulation hospital, not only enhance practical learning experiences but also prepare students for successful careers in their own enterprises. These facilities provide students with a comprehensive understanding of technical development as well as the day-to-day realities of interacting with clients, suppliers, administration, and services—essential skills every entrepreneur must master
At Universidad Europea de Canarias, establishing close relationships with businesses across all academic disciplines is crucial. This approach not only enhances the employability of our graduates but also broadens their understanding of entrepreneurial opportunities, even in highly technical fields such as Architecture. These partnerships allow students to gain firsthand knowledge of business processes, equipping them with the practical insights needed to navigate and succeed in their respective industries
Universidad Europea de Canarias offers mentorship programs where professionals from partnering companies directly engage with students from all disciplines who are developing entrepreneurial projects. These mentors provide inspiration, encouragement, and regular feedback, helping students align their initiatives with real market needs—from concept to final sale. This comprehensive support covers crucial aspects such as team management, environmental impact, and market strategies, ensuring our students are well-prepared for successful business ventures
IMPACT STORY
Impacting lifes
Our university has formed a strategic alliance with 14 esteemed universities across Europe to foster innovation and drive economic growth. This collaboration enhances conditions for SMEs, particularly high-tech start-ups, by co-creating new businesses, products, and services alongside higher education institutions (HEIs). The alliance supports the entrepreneurial ecosystem and promotes sustainable development in the high-tech sector.
The European project INCORE boosts innovation and entrepreneurial capacity in HEIs from Europe’s Outermost Regions by leveraging region-specific opportunities. An Innovation Vision Action Plan (IVAP) expands HEIs' ability to innovate and integrate with regional innovation ecosystems. UEC’s main goal within INCORE is to inspire changes that support technological advances and sustainable infrastructure through stakeholder collaboration. The project’s outcomes have been integrated into UEC’s strategy, enhancing innovation and entrepreneurship activities that develop students' skills and business acumen.
As part of this collaboration, the entrepreneurship ecosystem OSEAN (Outermost Regions Sustainable Ecosystem for Entrepreneurship and Innovation) was established. OSEAN promotes entrepreneurship, innovation, and research in Madeira and beyond, focusing on the green and blue economy, ecopreneurship, sustainability finance, and social sustainability. It is supported by five integrated researchers and thirteen collaborative researchers.
Additionally, UEC has established the first Entrepreneurship Hub with La Orotava City Hall and CEOE Tenerife. This hub helps students and citizens establish businesses with the support of mentors and business angels, creating a pioneering joint venture in Spain.
LEARNINGS
Lessons learned
Entrepreneurship transcends traditional business studies and is relevant across all academic fields, from STEAM to health studies. The goal of entrepreneurship education at UEC is to equip students from diverse disciplines with the skills needed to become successful innovators. This inclusive approach is evident as students in social sciences, health, and STEAM integrate entrepreneurship into their curricula, supported by resources that promote a multidisciplinary entrepreneurial culture.
Our academic model enhances professional value through four dimensions: intellectual, professional, international, and socioethical. This holistic approach fosters interprofessional learning and views students as unique individuals with ambition, initiative, and creative problem-solving skills. Emphasizing experiential learning, the model prepares students for a diverse, international world, with teachers guiding their personal and professional development.
UEC hosts various events through its dedicated entrepreneurship unit, including Job Day, Shall We Meet, Info Days, HackIAtons, and DEMO Day, which allow students to develop entrepreneurial skills and network with industry professionals.
Adaptability to market changes is crucial in entrepreneurship. Successful strategies in universities involve identifying challenges, building support networks, and fostering resilience. Important elements include time management, funding, innovation, planning, mentorship, team resilience, and technology use. For entrepreneurial higher education institutions, fostering a culture of experimentation and risk-taking is essential.
FUTURE PLANS
What's coming?
UEC is committed to promoting innovation and entrepreneurship across all disciplines through its Acceleration HUB, a space where students can experiment, learn, and transform ideas into reality. This initiative is crucial for preparing students for success in the 21st-century business world.
The UEmprende Unit (Entrepreneurship Unit) offers resources to awaken and encourage students' entrepreneurial spirit, helping them develop a business culture. It provides support for university-conceived projects and specialized advice from an expert team on their implementation.
In partnership with the Regional Confederation of Businessmen of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (CEOE Tenerife) and the La Orotava City Council, UEC has launched a new initiative to bolster entrepreneurship in the Canary Islands. This alliance combines business experience, academic expertise, and innovation to provide specialized support for entrepreneurs and start-ups, fostering entrepreneurial spirit and improving the quality of entrepreneurship services for citizens.
Over the past year, the CEOE Tenerife Entrepreneurship service has supported over 800 entrepreneurs, offering comprehensive support from developing business ideas to their viability and start-up, and facilitating access to subsidies and aid. Nearly 500 business plans were completed, and 80 new self-employed registrations were managed at the Entrepreneur Service Point.
Starting in September, this collaboration will include training options in all programs, strengthening UEC's strategy to help applicants acquire new competency skills applicable to their business projects. With a focus on innovation, training, and business growth, these institutions are solidifying their leadership in fostering entrepreneurship and professional development in the archipelago.
