- The ‘Goya Awards for Education’ have selected Ghada Aboud, José Carlos Aránguez, Fernando Boillos, Ana García Pérez, Javier González del Castillo and Alba Moya as finalists.
Once again, Universidad Europea lecturers are playing a prominent role in what are known as the ‘Goyas of Education’. Six lecturers from the institution have been nominated for the Abanca Best Lecturer 2025 Awards, which recognise the commitment and educational quality of Universidad Europea's teaching staff.
In the Best University Teacher category, Universidad Europea has four nominees: Ghada Aboud, José Carlos Aránguez, Fernando Boillos and Javier González del Castillo. In the field of Vocational Training, Alba Moya is in the running for the Best Vocational Training Teacher award. Ana García, recognised last year as Best Primary School Teacher, has been nominated again in this category.
‘For me, I've already won the award,’ reflects Ghada Aboud, nominated for the fourth consecutive year. She explains this by referring to every email, every virtual smile and every symbolic hug she has shared with her students during the course. A story that connects with the words of Fernando Boillos, who finds the true value of this nomination in its origin: ‘Knowing that it was they, the students, who thought of me is the greatest honour. What really leaves a mark is not an award, but the certainty of having accompanied them and sparked their curiosity in their learning.’
For Ana García Pérez, this close relationship, this close accompaniment, is at the heart of her work: ‘Innovating in education is not just about using technology or changing methodologies. It is about watching, listening and adapting what we do to what they really need. It is about making learning meaningful for them.’ Alba Moya completes the idea: "When we break down the boundaries between subjects, learning takes on another dimension. That's when students think, feel, and above all understand why they are learning. That's what truly transforms." Both agree that education is a living experience, built on closeness and adaptation, where learning becomes personal and meaningful.
Practical learning, research and critical thinking to train the leaders of the future
Practical learning and the promotion of critical thinking are two of the main drivers in the classrooms of Universidad Europea. José Carlos Aránguez explains this through his experience: ‘Artificial intelligence is a powerful tool, but its true value lies in how it allows us to create dynamic, safe and personalised environments. Scenarios where students learn by doing, developing real skills for a digital and changing world.’
Critical and applied research is fundamental to social progress and to receiving quality teaching. In this vein, ‘researching means questioning, updating oneself and sharing a critical view of the world with students. When teaching and research merge, learning ceases to be just content and becomes an active and transformative experience.’ Their experience, marked by interdisciplinary work and the publication of research led by their own students, reinforces the role of the teacher as a guide and facilitator," explains Javier González del Castillo.
The six teachers who aspire to become the best teachers in the Abanca Best Teacher Awards 2025 share the same vision: education understood as a comprehensive process that goes beyond the transmission of knowledge. ‘Teaching means being present in their growth,’ summarises Boillos. ‘It means making learning exciting for them,’ adds Ana García. ‘It means preparing them for the challenges of the real world,’ concludes Aránguez. A shared philosophy that reflects Universidad Europea's commitment to practical, innovative training focused on the personal and professional development of its students.