The Intercontinental University of the Company (UIE) and HM Hospitales will jointly promote an innovative university program in the field of Health Sciences with the goal of placing hospitals at the center of learning for future professionals.
The President of HM Hospitales, Dr Juan Abarca Cidón, and the Rector of the Intercontinental University of the Company, Dr Miguel Ángel Escotet, signed a two-way collaborative agreement today that will allow students to carry out their academic training both on UIE campuses and within HM Hospitales centers. This will strengthen students’ skills and abilities across various professional areas from a practical and multidisciplinary perspective.
“With this alliance with UIE, we are creating an innovative ecosystem for higher education in Galicia, based on delivering the best possible training for future healthcare professionals. They will be able to combine their theoretical studies with clinical practice in a hospital setting, enabling a learning experience that is closely aligned with real-world healthcare, guided by active medical professionals. In doing so, we close a virtuous circle in education and professional career development,” emphasized Dr Juan Abarca Cidón following the signing of the agreement.
Dr Miguel Ángel Escotet, Rector of UIE, also emphasized the value of drawing on the experience and expertise of HM Hospitales’ professional teams, stating: “Since the beginning of our academic programs, we have believed in the clinical model as a methodologically proven academic experience, with continuous professional practice. Students are not only trained in classrooms or laboratories — they also learn through work and hands-on experience in their specialty. We advocate for the development of a competent ‘thinking doer’ who is capable of thinking, feeling, and acting simultaneously.”
This innovative academic agreement begins with the submission of the Nursing degree for official authorization and validation. It will be part of the Faculty of Health Science, Technology, and Management at UIE, which already offers a degree in Psychology. New undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Health are currently in the planning phase and will be gradually incorporated. These include Biomedicine, Medical and Sports Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Optometry and Speech Therapy, and Health Systems Management.
The university education proposal in Health Sciences, led by HM Hospitales and UIE, will continuously combine teaching, healthcare practice, research, and personalized training, with both a national and international outlook. The faculty will be composed of practicing professionals with a strong scientific output, who will teach based on their hands-on and research experience.
In line with HM Hospitales’ vision and the educational model already implemented at UIE, HM Hospitales centers will serve as university hospitals, where students will be placed at the core of an academic program that is flexible and personalized. This model is different from overcrowded in-person teaching approaches and will allow for individualized and group-based practice sessions, supported by ongoing tutoring and mentoring.
