1,608 people connected to the welcome session organised by the University of Navarra for new students and their families in an online format. 

The event, aimed at both national and international students, featured panel discussions and sessions in English and Spanish. The President, Alfonso Sánchez-Tabernero, opened the meeting: "I think that during the year and a half of pandemic we have given a good response to the health status because the priority has been the students; to protect their health and guarantee their training". He also stressed the importance of face-to-face teaching and its continuity in this new academic year, which begins on 1 September, with the incorporation of more than 2,300 first-year students.

At meeting several informative videos were shown, and University professors and students sent messages and advice to prospective students about what it means to be a university student and how to take advantage of all the opportunities offered by the University of Navarra. 

Pablo Pérez, lecturer in History at School Philosophy and Letters, stated that every time a new generation of university students arrives, the University renews itself: "We await them with the interest of those who know that they are going to contribute something that we didn't have until now". For her part, Itziar Vélaz, lecturer at Chemistry at School Science, commented on how the university prepares its students to be good professionals: "Keeping in mind that our work is for others is what we want at the university for our students".

The university experience

Carmen Castillo, student of Medicine, Jorge Agustín Leautaud, student of Philosophy, Politics and Economics, and Amaya Vizmanos, student of the double degree Degree in Law and bilingual Business Administration and Management, led a conversation aimed at new students. "The university training goes beyond the classroom," said Jorge Leautaud. For her part, Carmen Castillo assured that "the greatest characteristic of the University is the attention staff that the students receive". Among other topics, they spoke of the importance of attendance to classes, of knowing how to organise one's time and the possibility of participating in volunteer activities, sports and cultural activities organised by the academic centre. 

The English session also featured two lecturers, Jokin de Irala, lecturer in Medicine, and Rosalía Baena, from Philosophy and Letters. Their colloquium was moderated by Marie Anne Reynell and they talked about all the changes that occur when you arrive at university. De Irala stressed the importance of maintaining a balance between study and rest or fun, always listening to the advice of mentors and upperclassmen. Rosalía Baena underlined the relationship between students and teachers, and the active role of students.