The Goierri campus of Mondragon University celebrated its 25th anniversary today in Ordizia, with the participation of Lehendakari Imanol Pradales and the Minister of Education, Begoña Pedrosa. Also attending the event were the Deputy General of Gipuzkoa, Eider Mendoza, representatives from various institutions, mayors from the region, and business leaders.
The Lehendakari pointed out that the Goierri ecosystem perfectly represents sustainable human development, prospering without leaving anyone behind. "I always say that Gipuzkoa is a magnificent example of the model we want to reinforce in Euskadi, for its ability to combine industry, innovation, and social cohesion. And Goierri is at the forefront, with an advanced, specialized, high-value-added industrial fabric. With companies, many of them small or medium-sized, leaders in their niche. Hidden champions," stated Imanol Pradales.
However, the Lehendakari also warned that for Euskadi to continue being a functioning country, it cannot afford to rest on its laurels, and therefore advocated for applying the highest individual and collective self-demand. In this regard, he recalled the Basque Government's efforts through the launch of 19 transformative projects under the Industrial Plan, with an investment of nearly 1 billion euros; the push to achieve a new planning of the electricity grid for Euskadi; or the request for a "regulatory highway" to expedite deadlines for strategic projects by up to 75%, among other initiatives.
The campus was established in 2001 thanks to a collaboration agreement between the Goierriko Herrien Ekintza Foundation and Mondragon University, with the aim of offering young people in the region the opportunity to pursue university studies and meet the needs of its industrial sector. This project also marked Mondragon University's first step outside of Debagoiena.
Since then, Goierri Campus has strengthened the connection between engineering training and the business world. It currently has 179 students in the 2026-2027 academic year, a 32% increase compared to the 2022-2023 academic year. In addition to the Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, this year incorporates a semester of the Bachelor's Degree in Mechatronic Engineering.
Alongside the expansion of its educational offerings, measures have also been taken to facilitate the transition from Vocational Training to university. Thus, credits are recognized for graduates of higher-level vocational training cycles, allowing them to complete the engineering degree in three academic years. Added to this is dual training, developed in collaboration with companies, which offers students the opportunity to combine their studies with work experience.
The commemorative event featured speeches from the Lehendakari, the president of the Goierriko Herrien Ekintza Foundation, Adur Ezenarro, and the rector of Mondragon University, Bixente Atxa. Subsequently, the president of CAF, Andrés Arizkorreta; the president of the GOILAN Foundation, Asier Lekuona; and the general coordinator of Mondragon Goi Eskola Politeknikoa, Carlos García Ruiz, discussed the balance of these 25 years of collaboration and future challenges.
At the end of the event, Lehendakari Imanol Pradales visited the campus facilities and had the opportunity to learn firsthand about several projects developed by the students.
