19_11_26_EDU_defense

The psychologist and professor of School from Education and Psychology Luis Ángel Díaz Robledo has received this Tuesday, November 26th, the award Defense 2019, in the modality of teaching (category teaching University).

This award, which grants the Ministry of Defence has as goal to recognize "the contribution made by individuals or entities of character professor, or linked to the teaching at all levels, who have stood out for their activity aimed at the dissemination of defense-related issues in the field educational, especially through the implementation of curricular projects in the different educational stages".

The professor of the University of Navarra teaches, among others, the subjects 'Leadership and management of groups' and 'Psychology of groups'. Through them, he organizes activities such as Blue Hat and Joint Decisionan example of the practices for which he has received an award.

What does it mean to receive this award?

Above all, it is a recognition of a great team work, complex and ambitious, but very rewarding. Complex because many people from different fields have collaborated. On the one hand, staff from the University of Navarra at various levels and Schools; on the other hand, military personnel from various Air Force units; and finally, the students of the University, who are the main goal of this project. With their enthusiasm and active participation they have demonstrated that the educational objectives have been achieved. For me, it is a luxury to be able to lead this project and even more so when its value is recognized by great institutions such as the Ministry of Defense. 

In 2015 you started your journey as Adjunct Professor on the School, what does the teaching mean to you?

The teaching during these years has taught me to put myself in the role of the student. In my classes and internships I do not intend to transmit only my knowledge, but to pose problems and learn with them from their reactions and reflections, to establish a professional dialogue so that they can generate their own knowledge. Undoubtedly, what I get the most out of living with the student body is their ability to see things from a perspective that, perhaps, until that moment, I had not considered. When you feel that a student is capable of reasoning and arguing a position different from yours, the satisfaction as professor is immense. 

Since then you have organized several activities, such as Joint Decision or Blue Hat, why go for this exercise subject ? What skills does the student develop and why are they so necessary for your professional development ?

The professional world demands university students with real and useful skills. The exercises we carry out seek the generation and improvement of skills called "soft skills", which are abilities equally applicable to different professions, such as knowing how to work in a team, communicate properly, lead, make decisions, manage one's own stress and that of group... The exercises we carry out always seek to put these skills on internship through simulated environments and group role-plays that achieve an almost real emotional immersion of the participants. That is why every year the students participate voluntarily and enthusiastically and show great satisfaction for the learning experienced.