• The CITIC will be the main responsible of channelling the actions contemplated in the agreement, with its Talentos Inclusivos program as one of its central axes.
• Programs that encourage interest in science and technology from early ages will be promoted, with the goal of fortifying the competences of the new generations and preparing them for the challenges of the future.

A Coruña, February 6^th, 2026

Promoting the cultural, scientific and technological development in childhood, adolescence and young adults, with special emphasis on social inclusion and STEM vocation. This is the main goal of the agreement signed this Friday between The UDC and the Ministry of Youthh and Childhood.

The event include the participation of the State Secretary of Youth and Childhood, Rubén Pérez Correa, and the UDC rector, Ricardo Cao; as well as the director of the Centre of Investigation in Information and Communications Technologies (CITIC), Manuel G. Penedo; centre that will be the main responsible of channelling the actions contemplated in the agreement.

Within the framework of this accord, both institutions will promote awareness on proper use of ICT and reinforce the digital competences of the new generations, preparing them for the challenges posed by a society in constant evolution.

Talentos Inclusivos

One of the main axes of the agreement is the project Talentos Inclusivos, an initiative that is already in its sixth iteration and that, through the development of technological challenges formulated by people with cerebral palsy, seeks to wake an interest for science and technology between students of Secondary Education, Baccalaureate and Vocational Training from multiple high schools throughout Galicia. At the same time, the program reinforces values such as inclusivity, empathy and teamwork, promoting a significant learning based on collaboration and social commitment.

The signed agreement establishes a framework for collaboration in organizing joint training activities, divulgating the projects through institutional channels, participating in working groups and awareness-raising events, as well as promoting scientific competitions and congresses.

The rector of the Universidade da Coruña, Ricardo Cao, highlighted the strategic value of the Talentos Inclusivos Program as an example of the commitment of the UDC with inclusivity, innovation and boosting STEM vocations among the youth. He emphasized that this kind of projects “reflect perfectly the capacity of the university to connect science, technology and social commitment, creating real opportunities for the student body to participate in technological challenges with a direct impact on society”. Furthermore, he remarked the value of the institutional cooperation that facilitates the development of initiatives like this one, which contribute to the reinforcement of a scientific and technological environment more inclusive.

For his part, the State Secretary of Youth and Childhood, Rubén Pérez Correa, highlighted that this agreement “reflects a clear wager to position science and technology at the service of inclusivity and the rights of children and young people”. He underlined that initiatives like Talentos Inclusivos “show that it is possible to awaken STEM vocations from early ages and combat social exclusion and the digital gap at the same time”, and added that “from the Ministry we want for access to knowledge, digital competences and innovation are not dependent on the social origin or personal circumstances”.

For the CITIC director, Manuel Menedo, this agreement “will allow developing educational pilots for the youth in the field of inclusive technologies, support politics on responsible use of ICT and contribute to the reduction of the digital gap in the field of disabilities”. Furthermore, he remarked that “the backing of the Ministry reinforces the work that the CITIC has been carrying out with projects like Talentos Inclusivos, and it opens the door to new actions on the technology and inclusivity binomial”.

The agreement showcases the wagher that the Ministry of Youth and Childhood is making for science and research as engines for the progress and the welfare of childhood and youth, promoting the interest in technology among young people and providing awareness on a proper use of ICT.

In this context, the CITIC, centre of the UDC recognised as a Research Centre of Excellence and a part of the CIGUS network of the Xunta de Galicia, will contribute its experience on the development and research of ICT and the transference of their results to society.

About the CITIC

The CITIC is an investigation centre that boosts progress and excellency at R&D&I applied to ICT, created in 2008 by the Universidade da Coruña (UDC). The scientific activity is structured around four main areas of research: Artificial Intelligence, Data Science and Engineering; High-Performance Computing; and Smart Services and Networks, as well as a research area transversal to all others: Cybersecurity.

The CITIC is credited as a Centre of Excellence and a member of the CIGUS Network for the 2024-2027 period, which guarantees the quality and impact of its research. The endorsement, structure and improvement of the CITIC is cofinanced by the Xunta de Galicia and 60% by the European Union within the framework of the Operative Program FEDER Galicia 2021-2027, with the goal of promoting “a more intelligent Europe: An innovative and intelligent economic transformation” (ED431G 2023/01).

About Talentos Inclusivos

Talentos Inclusivos is a project driven by the CITIC that takes place throughout the school year, and that counts with the support of the FECYT (Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology). Its main goal is awakening STEM vocations (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) among young people and raise awareness the reality of people with disabilities through collaborative work teams to solve technological challenges posed by people with cerebral palsy.

Through this project, students of Secondary Education and Baccalaureate Studies of multiple high schools in Galicia will have to look for technology-based solutions to a series of challenges proposed by users of the entities ASPACE Coruña, APAMP and A Coruña Red Cross.

For more information, you can visit the project’s website: https://talentosinclusivos.citic.udc.es