Camilo José Cela University Advocates for Quality in Higher Education at CYD Foundation Roundtable

/ Actualidad,UCJC

The Rector of UCJC, Jaime Olmedo, took part on June 26 in the roundtable discussion “X-ray of the Spanish University System”, organized by the Knowledge and Development Foundation (Fundación CYD), held at the Cuatrecasas Auditorium in Madrid. The debate brought together academic leaders from across the national higher education landscape to analyze the structural challenges of the system, the complementarity between public and private universities, and the effects of the new Royal Decree on the creation and recognition of universities.

The event began with an introductory address by Josep María Garrell, President of the European University Association.

Our Rector, Jaime Olmedo, shared the panel with:

  • Eva Ferreira, Rector of the University of the Basque Country / EHU (2021–2024)

  • Àngels Fitó, Rector of the Open University of Catalonia (2023–present)

  • Rafael Puyol, President of UNIR (2019–present)

  • Eduardo Sicilia, President of the Social Council of UAM and President of the Conference of Social Councils of the Community of Madrid (2022–present)

The session was conducted and moderated by Javier Monzón, Chairman of the Executive Committee of Fundación CYD.

During his intervention, Rector Olmedo shared SEK Education Group’s perspective on the need for a university system focused on quality. For Jaime Olmedo, the central question lies in how we define and measure quality: “The proposal in the new Royal Decree does not mention student satisfaction as a quality indicator, and for us, it is a highly relevant metric—not only in terms of their learning experience but also for how it impacts their future quality of life.”

At a time of regulatory transformation and growth in the private university model, he advocated for the complementarity of different models as a way to enrich the system and promote more flexible, personalized learning environments.

Rector Olmedo’s participation in this forum reinforces SEK Educational Institution’s role as an active agent in transforming the university system, and its strong commitment to excellence in education aligned with the needs of the 21st century.