"In Navarra we are committed to excellence and, together with Madrid, we are the autonomous community best prepared to attract and retain talent, thanks to the excellent universities we have". Juan Cruz Cigudosa, Minister of University, Innovation and Digital Transformation of the Government of Navarra, spoke at the opening ceremony of the annual congress that the Fulbright Commission organizes in Spain. The high school of language and Spanish Culture (ILCE) of the School of Philosophy and Letters of the University has hosted the meeting, in which 230 U.S. Fulbright scholars in Spain and Andorra have participated.

In his speech, the Minister appealed to the need for governments to guarantee a quality Education and promote a process of importing and exporting knowledge, in order to achieve a better future for societies. In this sense, he pointed out that scholarship programs such as Fulbright "are one of the best tools for attracting talent": "The shared knowledge multiplies its power and as a government we have the obligation to build bridges to ensure that this knowledge goes from one place to another and bears fruit", he added.

30% of student body international

The event was presided over by Rosalía Baena, Vice President for Students at the University, who emphasized the international outreach that has characterized the academic center since it was founded 70 years ago, and which today has a 30% international presence student body . She also made reference letter to the work carried out by the ILCE for the promotion of Spanish culture and language , "an increasingly global language ".

The inauguration was also attended by Jon Piechowski, Counselor for Public Diplomacy at the U.S. Embassy, and Alberto López, director executive of the Fulbright Commission. In addition, other authorities of the program will attend the meeting these days as Belén Yuste, head of department of University and Scientific Cooperation and member of the Directorate of Cultural and Scientific Relations of the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation for the development (AECID); Charles Coward and Dana Knowles, members of the board of the Commission; and Delphine Perchec, Regional Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator in Europe and Eurasia.

In Spain, Fulbright scholarships have been present since 1958 and have been a fundamental tool in the strengthening of relations between the United States and our country. More than 5,600 Spaniards and around 3,500 Americans have enjoyed a Fulbright scholarship granted by the Spain-U.S. Binational Commission. Among the Spanish grantees, six have been awarded the award Prince of Asturias and 18 have won National Awards in research, Economics, history, literature and fine arts.

_{The congress held at the University of Navarra is attended by 230 U.S. Fulbright scholars in Spain and Andorra.}