Ormazabal marks 25 years of collaboration with the University of the Basque Country to bring engineering closer to industry

The Ormazabal Classroom celebrates its 25th anniversary as a benchmark for university-business collaboration, connecting students with real-world engineering and technology projects

Since its creation in 2001, it has contributed to the training of more than 160 students, the development of 15 projects and the recruitment of nearly 60 professionals by the company

The anniversary event brought together representatives of the University of the Basque Country (EHU), students, former students and Ormazabal representatives at the company’s headquarters on the Zamudio/Derio Campus of the Basque Country Technology Park, highlighting a collaboration model that has now completed a quarter of a century

Ormazabal, a company specialising in technological solutions for electricity distribution networks, today celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Ormazabal Classroom, a pioneering initiative in university-business collaboration that, since its establishment in 2001, has helped promote practical training, knowledge transfer and the incorporation of talent into the industrial sector.

The event, held at Ormazabal’s headquarters on the Zamudio/Derio Campus of the Basque Country Technology Park, was attended by Gotzone Barandika, Vice-Rector for Knowledge Transfer and Internationalisation at the University of the Basque Country (EHU); Charles Pinto, Director of the Bilbao School of Engineering; together with other academic representatives linked to the initiative.

Representing Ormazabal were Javier Ormazabal, Chairman of Ormazabal; Jorge González, Chief Executive Officer of the company; Emmanuel Orio, Director of Human Capital; and Milagros García, Marketing Director, along with other representatives of the organisation.

From education to talent recruitment

Located within the facilities of the Bilbao School of Engineering at the University of the Basque Country (EHU), the Ormazabal Classroom was created to bring students closer to the technological and industrial reality through the development of practical projects related to the company’s challenges and needs.

Over the past 25 years, the Classroom has become a gateway for qualified talent to join the company and a space for identifying, attracting and developing professionals who now work across different areas of the organisation. It has also helped strengthen the company’s technological and industrial capabilities. This is reflected in the recruitment of nearly 60 students and the implementation of 15 projects.

At the same time, it has provided students with early exposure to real-world projects, accelerating their professional development and enhancing their employability.

“The Ormazabal Classroom represents one of the finest examples of how collaboration between universities and businesses can generate value for society as a whole. Over the last 25 years, we have worked together to advance knowledge, encourage technological vocations and help talented individuals find professional development opportunities within our environment,” said Javier Ormazabal, Chairman of Ormazabal.

For her part, Gotzone Barandika, Vice-Rector for Knowledge Transfer and Internationalisation at the University of the Basque Country, highlighted that “the trajectory of the Ormazabal Classroom demonstrates the enormous potential of cooperation between academia and industry to enrich students’ education and jointly address the technological and social challenges of the future”.

A collaboration with a real impact on the community

The history of the Ormazabal Classroom reflects the potential of public-private collaboration to create opportunities and strengthen the Basque innovation ecosystem. The joint work of academics, students and Ormazabal professionals has created a space for learning and knowledge exchange centred on the real challenges faced by industry.

Through the Classroom, initiatives linked to various disciplines of strategic importance to the company are carried out, including the development of customised engineering solutions for electricity networks.

Beyond its academic dimension, this space serves as a meeting point for generations of engineers, encourages the exchange of knowledge and consolidates a long-standing relationship between the University of the Basque Country and Ormazabal.

A tribute to 25 years of shared knowledge

The event provided an opportunity to recognise the contribution of all those who have helped consolidate this initiative. It also featured former students who, after participating in the Ormazabal Classroom, joined the company, putting a human face on one of the initiative’s greatest achievements: transforming knowledge and practical experience into long-term professional opportunities.