UIC Barcelona organised two sessions, one on each campus, to celebrate Mentoring Day, an event aimed at the University’s mentors to thank them for their commitment and to create a shared space for reflection on student support.
The sessions, held on 21 January in Sant Cugat and on 29 January in Barcelona, highlighted the essential role mentors play in the academic, personal and professional growth of students, in line with UIC Barcelona’s educational model, which places students at the centre and provides support that extends beyond the strictly academic sphere.
Boost Your Talent: a more professionalised approach to mentoring
During the event, the Mentoring Service presented the first results of the Boost Your Talent programme, launched this academic year.
Boost Your Talent is an exclusive UIC Barcelona programme designed for undergraduate students to strengthen soft skills, enhance personal branding and improve employability. Through practical activities, online training, a dedicated web platform and the guidance of a mentor, students can develop and certify key competencies for their future professional paths. The programme covers five dimensions of leadership: strategic, interpersonal, self-management, self-development and self-leadership.
Initial indicators show strong engagement: 40% of students have already accessed the platform and completed the initial test, more than 80% of mentors are actively participating and over 30% of students are currently receiving mentoring.
A comprehensive support model
UIC Barcelona’s Mentoring Service has been offered continuously since the University’s foundation. Each student is assigned a mentor – usually a lecturer from their degree programme, although specialised external professionals also participate – with whom they typically hold three meetings per year in a confidential and supportive setting.
This mentoring relationship enables students to receive guidance throughout their university journey, develop personal and social competencies, receive recommendations on university life and, when necessary, be referred to specialised internal services.
“Beyond mentoring”: a networked approach to student support
One of the key moments of the event was the round table “Beyond mentoring”, moderated by the director of Mentoring and Personal Development, Dr Mònica Argemí, with contributions from professionals from Student Services, the Chaplaincy and the Support Clinic.
The discussion emphasised the importance of coordinated work between the University’s various services to respond effectively to student needs. In this regard, the mentor was highlighted as a crucial figure for identifying support needs and guiding students towards the most appropriate resources.
The event also included testimonies from mentors and students. Fran Guinot, lecturer in Dentistry and mentor, underlined the human value of the programme, “Being a mentor is an opportunity to get to know students better and to guide them, showing that they are not alone during their time at university.”
Manuela Libreros, a third-year Biomedicine student and elite athlete, highlighted the importance of personal support from the outset, “I was from outside the city… a new university… starting with a mentor made a huge difference. It is not only about academic performance but also about having someone to talk to about fears, doubts and uncertainties. Knowing that someone is looking out for you brings a great sense of reassurance.”
Through initiatives such as Mentoring Day and the Boost Your Talent programme, UIC Barcelona reinforces its commitment to comprehensive education that supports students in their academic, personal and professional development and acknowledges the dedication of mentors as a key element of this educational model.
