The University of Almería, through its OTRI and UCC+i, has inaugurated the 2026 Science Week with a 'Science Café'. This initiative, organized by the Fundación Descubre with funding from the Regional Ministry of University, Industry, Energy, and Innovation of the Junta de Andalucía and the FECYT, saw the participation of 84 students from six provincial centers on its opening day. The program aims to reach almost 1,200 students and around 50 teachers through 16 activities spread across fifty sessions.
The 'Science Café' included students from IES Azcona and Celia Viñas (Almería), El Palmeral (Vera), Santa María del Águila and La Mojonera (El Ejido), and the Agave Educational Center (Huércal de Almería). Students were divided into thematic tables covering Arts and Humanities, Sciences, Engineering and Architecture, Social and Legal Sciences, and Medicine, led by UAL researchers including Javier Soto, Alba Hernández, Gracia Castro, Jesús López, Paqui Antequera, and Pablo Campos.
Following the 'Science Café', the official inauguration of the 2026 Science Week took place in the same Paraninfo. The event was attended by José Antonio Sánchez, Vice-Rector for Scientific Policy at UAL; Emilia Fernández, Head of the Educational Planning Service of the Territorial Delegation of Education; and José María Vargas, Director of the Central Zone of Cajamar's Territorial Directorate, among other officials.
“"We are very happy to inaugurate a Science Week again, because scientific dissemination is one of our pillars in UAL's scientific policy. We love being able to have young people on our campus, bringing science closer to them, awakening scientific vocations, which is very important, and something very relevant, which is for science to gain respect among our society."
José Antonio Sánchez emphasized the importance of scientific dissemination for UAL and expressed his satisfaction in hosting nearly 1,200 pre-university students, highlighting the goal of sparking vocations and fostering respect for science in society. He thanked the participating educational centers and the collaboration of Fundación Descubre and the Delegation of Education.
Emilia Fernández, from the Delegation of Education, thanked UAL for organizing the event and stressed the opportunity for students to interact with university researchers, seeing science as a reality beyond textbooks, which helps awaken vocations and broaden future perspectives.
José María Vargas, representing Cajamar, expressed the entity's pleasure in participating and highlighted the importance of generating knowledge and transforming it into opportunities for territorial development. He also stressed the need to foster vocations and retain young talent in the province to build a more innovative and competitive Almería.
The initiative aims to bring research closer to ESO, Bachillerato, and FP students from across the province, covering about ten towns. The program includes workshops, talks, games, and interactive experiences in various scientific fields. All faculties and research centers of UAL are involved, with collaboration from Fundación Descubre, FECYT, and sponsorship from Cajamar. Further information is available at https://www.ualjoven.ual.es/index.php/actividades/semana-de-la-ciencia-2026-universidad-de-almeria.
