The inauguration forms part of IE University’s mission to promote education as the key to sustainable development, and reinforces Madrid’s position as a leading global educational hub. The IE Tower is the fifth tower to stand in the “Five Towers” business district, and has the capacity for 6,000 students. It is designed as a benchmark for innovation and technology in education, and has been built with sustainability and energy efficiency in mind.
An innovative and sustainable campus
What makes the new IE Tower so unique? António Guterres describes it as “a symbol of the importance of education, a place of learning, knowledge generation and answers to the challenges of humanity.” It’s Spain’s first vertical campus, and the third tallest campus in the world at 180 meters, offering 35 floors and 50,000 square meters of multi-use space. There are 64 classrooms with flexible configurations, as well as interactive spaces and open areas to promote social and cultural life.
This academic year, 3,800 students across our various programs will attend courses in the IE Tower. There’s a Venture Lab for startup projects, a Fab Lab to develop architecture and design projects, and an auditorium with a seating capacity of 600. In addition, the new campus features more than 7,000 square meters of green space, as well as sports facilities.
Promoting positive change through education, innovation and research
During the opening ceremony, Diego del Alcázar Benjuamea, CEO of IE University, spoke of the academic institution’s aim to promote positive change through education, innovation and research. Diego del Alcázar Silvela, President of IE University, reiterated the importance of innovation, calling it a “permanent state of mind,” while also highlighting the university’s focus on entrepreneurship, diversity, sustainability and the humanities. He went on to say that these values not only help students be better people, but also help them “to better understand others and society at large and to anticipate the changes taking place in the world.”
Following the ceremony, His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain visited classrooms and met with students and staff. He observed a class taught by Rachida Justo, Professor of Entrepreneurial Management and Social Entrepreneurship, and also attended an audiovisual presentation of IE University’s values.
An unforgettable day with distinguished guests
Other participants in the inauguration included Manuel Castells, the Minister of Universities; Isabel Díaz Ayuso, President of the Community of Madrid; José Luis Martínez Almeida, Mayor of Madrid; Clara Luquero, Mayor of Segovia—the historic city where IE University has a campus; and Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization.
It was an exciting day for the IE University community as a whole. For the first time, the auditorium was used to its full capabilities, with 3D digital projections and animations—and the audience was impressed by the light-up bracelets which changed colors with the animations. What’s more, students, alumni and other members of the IE University community tuned in via livestream from 165 countries. Check out the highlight video of this historic event!
