Universidad Camilo José Cela has presented the 3rd National Congress of University Students with Intellectual Disabilities at its Castellana Campus, a week-long event that brings together students, universities, teaching staff, professionals, families and partner organisations with the aim of promoting participation, autonomy, employment and inclusion in the university sphere.
The opening ceremony featured contributions from Jaime Olmedo Ramos, Rector of Universidad Camilo José Cela; Isabel Martínez Lozano, Director of University Programmes and Young Talent Promotion at Fundación ONCE; Álvaro Olmedo and Nagore López, alumni of UCJC’s University Programme in Socio-Occupational Skills; and Francisco López Muñoz, Vice-Rector for Research, Science and Doctoral Studies at Universidad Camilo José Cela.
During his speech, Jaime Olmedo highlighted that the congress represents a concrete way of understanding the university through inclusion, academic quality and confidence in each student’s abilities. “Today we are not only opening a congress; today we are celebrating, above all, a way of understanding the university,” said the Rector. In this regard, he stressed that “there is no university excellence if it is not capable of reaching everyone, and there is no true inclusion if it is not accompanied by academic quality, excellence and confidence in each student’s abilities.”
Olmedo also emphasised the leading role of university students with intellectual disabilities in this event. “You are the true protagonists: today you are researchers, speakers, congress participants, generators of knowledge through reason and emotion,” he said. The Rector also recalled that UCJC’s mission is to support each student so that they can discover and fully develop their talent, and stated that “inclusion is not an act of generosity; it is an act of justice and, above all, a magnificent opportunity to build a better university every day.”
Leading through participation
Isabel Martínez Lozano then delivered a lecture entitled Leadership as a differential value, in which she invited students to understand the world they live in, participate actively in society and exercise leadership based on confidence, commitment and responsibility. “It is not enough simply to want to participate and do things; we need to understand very well what this world is about, what this society is about,” she explained.
The Director of University Programmes and Young Talent Promotion at Fundación ONCE argued that participation begins with everyday gestures and that everyone can lead from their own environment. “Participating means that we cannot simply sit and watch what happens; we have to get involved,” she said. She also recalled that “a leader is not a person who gives lots of orders; a leader is a person who inspires, who helps, who listens and who encourages others to grow.”
First-person experiences
The ceremony also included inspiring words from Álvaro Olmedo and Nagore López, alumni of UCJC’s University Programme in Socio-Occupational Skills, who shared their experiences in the first person. Álvaro Olmedo recalled his time at UCJC and encouraged the new participants to make the most of the opportunity. “Living this experience in an inclusive university environment is an extraordinary opportunity. Not so long ago, this was unthinkable, and you now have the chance to be part of it,” he said.
In his speech, Olmedo also shared a message of confidence with the students: “Each person has abilities, talents and dreams. This campus is an opportunity to develop your potential and prepare for the future, both in your working life and in your personal life.” He also encouraged them to take part without fear: “Participate, be bold, ask questions. Do not be afraid of making mistakes; we also learn from errors.”
Nagore López, for her part, shared her personal and academic development after taking part in the university programme. “In previous years, I did not dare to speak; this year I have discovered that I can. As you can see, here I am,” she told the audience. The alumna explained that the programme helped her gain autonomy, speak in public and trust more in her own abilities.
Nagore López also wished to highlight the strengths of young university students with intellectual disabilities. “I would like those present to bear in mind that young university students also have many strengths,” she said. In this regard, she shared one of the most important achievements in her recent journey: “After all these years and all these experiences, I can finally say that I have graduated from secondary education. It has taken enormous effort, but I achieved it because I became aware that I could do it.”
A university where no one is left behind
The closing remarks of the opening ceremony were delivered by Francisco López Muñoz, Vice-Rector for Research, Science and Doctoral Studies at Universidad Camilo José Cela, who thanked the universities, partner organisations, Fundación ONCE, teaching staff, families, support teams and participating students for their work. “Thank you for showing that talent, enthusiasm and commitment know no barriers when real opportunities exist,” he said.
López Muñoz stressed that “inclusion does not consist solely of opening the doors of the university; it consists of ensuring that everyone can fully develop their life project within it.” He also highlighted the transformative value of the congress: “A truly excellent university is not only one that conducts more research, publishes more or innovates more; it is also one that ensures no one is left on the margins of knowledge, participation and hope.”
The National Congress of University Students with Intellectual Disabilities is held as a space for shared learning, exchange of experiences and network-building between students and universities. The event addresses issues linked to personal autonomy, university life, academic and professional training, work placements, sport, social participation and employment, reinforcing Universidad Camilo José Cela’s commitment to a more inclusive, participatory higher education system focused on developing every person’s talent.
