Student Week 2025 connects students and professors from across the globe in a global learning journey in Barcelona

From 17 to 20 June, Barcelona became the meeting point for over 150 ZIGURAT students, alumni, and professors from various countries. Student Week 2025 offered four days of academic activities, professional visits, and cultural exchange, an experience participants described as “a unique opportunity to share ideas, learn as a team, and build international connections.”

The week kicked off on Tuesday 17 June with two guided city tours exploring Barcelona’s history and architecture, where students appreciated the chance to start connecting across cultures from day one.

On Wednesday 18 June, AECO sector experts including Vicki Reynolds, Rogério Lima, Lilian Ho, Fernando Iglesias, Chris Dymond, Juan Felipe Pons, James Basha, Isabel Gutiérrez, Guillermo Corral, Khaled Daher, Xènia Lozano, Guillem Baraut, Carlos Solana, Carles Romea and Bruno Mota delivered a parallel conference session in three languages throughout the morning.

In the afternoon, students participated in soft skills workshops focused on creating proposals for innovative startups. This dynamic activity, held in collaboration with the Barcelona Contech Hub, was described by several participants as “a collaborative and multidisciplinary challenge that enhances shared learning.”

Summit, Visits and Closing Ceremony

On Thursday 19 June, the ZIGURAT Summit was held at Valkiria Hub Space as part of this week of collaboration and knowledge exchange. Sessions were offered in both Spanish and English, addressing sector trends and challenges, with a strong focus on the emergence of artificial intelligence.

In the afternoon, participants visited various sites and projects in partnership with leading companies such as MediaPro, Calaf Constructora, Think in Lean, IDOM, Vilor and ADIF, highlighting the unique opportunity to witness industry transformation first-hand on a global scale.

The closing ceremony took place on Friday 20 June in the cloister of the University of Barcelona. During the gala, the best startup proposals from the soft skills workshops were recognised, and both ZIGURAT staff and participants reflected on what had been an impactful and enriching experience.

As part of his closing speech, ZIGURAT CEO Pau F. Aldomà shared a powerful vision with attendees: “We aim to train leaders who are capable of building a better future and designing more human, sustainable and just cities. We plant the seed for you to make it grow. That’s why we see ourselves reflected in you, and we feel proud of this community. It is vital that we stay united and work together for something we all share: the desire to leave future generations a world that’s truly worth living in. As architects, engineers, and technologists, we are incredibly fortunate: we have the real capacity to transform our environment and leave a mark. And at ZIGURAT, there’s nothing more rewarding than being part of that journey. Our greatest pride is to be part of your growth and your impact on society. You are the ones transforming tomorrow, today.”

The week concluded with a relaxed farewell aperitif on Barceloneta beach, bringing to an end a journey that, as both students and professors affirmed: “welcomed all ideas and marked a turning point in how we learn and collaborate.”