Sci-Tech School Update
December 2024

Your resource for staying up to date on initiatives and news from IE’s Sci-Tech School and sharing on your social networks.

Dear Sci-Tech Community,

As we wrap up a busy first semester at the IE School of Science and Technology, I wanted to share some highlights as we continue in our mission to build an entrepreneurial and industry-connected polytechnic like no other.

This semester, we welcomed an expanded student body and launched new Undergraduate and Master’s programs, alongside several student Global Gateway initiatives. Our new collaboration with  Singapore Management University’s School of Computing and Information Systems  offers our students access to one of Asia’s leading tech ecosystems, while our cutting-edge Robotics & AI Lab in Madrid and three Environmental Solutions labs in the Segovia campus continue to thrive as hubs for research and innovation.

Through collaborations with Ripple and Boehringer Ingelheim, our Impact Xcelerator and industry labs accelerated real-world breakthroughs. At the Future Blockchain Summit in Dubai, we led discussions on the future of virtual asset regulation, while the Biopharma-X Collider in Germany explored cutting-edge solutions for drug discovery. To close the year we launched the Tech Reg Lab, a global consortium advancing research, entrepreneurship, and policymaking in technology regulation.  Many more Impact Xcelerator projects are in store for 2025.

I’m also delighted to share that our colleague Dr. David Gómez-Ullate was named Vice Dean of Research, leading our efforts to harness computational tech for scientific advancement, while Dr. Robert Polding was appointed Assistant Vice Dean to drive innovation in our Computer Science and Data Programs.

What would we be without our students and their fantastic achievements, notably the IE team winning the Honors Prize at the EPFL Hackathon for their blockchain solution, SUISEATS, while the IE team’s Green Navigation project gained international recognition at Dubai’s Prototypes for Humanity. I was also pleased to see OptiCrop, a project optimizing agricultural production through AI, win our latest Tech Venue Bootcamp after five days of intense ideation and collaboration.

Finally, IE Sci-Tech was at the heart of discussions at South Summit Korea and Rise Europe, where we worked with key players across politics, business, and academia across Europe and Asia to tackle global challenges and opportunities in deep tech and cross-border innovation.

As the tech landscape evolves, the IE Sci-Tech community remains committed to advancing knowledge in tech, empowering students, and making a positive impact on societies worldwide. Thank you for being an essential part of this journey. Explore more milestones in our newsletter, and feel free to get in touch to learn more. 

Dean, IE School of Science and Technology
IE University, Madrid

BREAKING SILOS

RISE EUROPE: The Rise Europe Summit in Brussels brought together over 200 innovators from politics, business, and academia to discuss how to transform Europe into a global leader in tech and innovation. Co-founded by IE University, the event highlighted the importance of scaling European start-ups to tackle global challenges and make a lasting positive impact on society and the environment. Read More

SOUTH SUMMIT KOREA: IE University’s School of Science and Technology took center stage at the inaugural South Summit Korea, which focused on Deep Tech and AI, gathering over 80 global leaders and innovators. The event included key discussions on cross-border technology transfer, cultural collaboration, and the future of innovation, while showcasing 30 finalist startups, with IE playing a key role in shaping conversations around empowering startups for a future-oriented society. Read More

FUTURE BLOCKCHAIN SUMMIT: At the Future Blockchain Summit in Dubai, leaders of IE School of Science and Technology led important conversations on blockchain technology and virtual asset regulation. Partnering with Ripple’s UBRI and VARA. The summit hosted workshops and panels, bringing together global experts to discuss how regulatory frameworks can evolve to support innovation and secure growth in the digital finance sector. Read More

IMPACT XCELERATOR- BI PHARMA - X COLLIDER: Dean of IE School of Science and Technology, Ikhlaq Sidhu, led the Impact Xcelerator-BI Pharma-X Collider event in Germany, uniting experts from Pharma, academia, and regulatory bodies to discuss innovative solutions in drug discovery, clinical trials, and regulatory approvals. With over 150 participants, the event aimed to accelerate the development of life-saving therapies through cross-disciplinary collaboration. Read More

TECH REG LAB: IE School of Science and Technology has recently launched the Tech Reg Lab in collaboration with IE Science and Technology’s Virtual Asset Regulation Lab, UK Centre for Blockchain Technologies, Technology Regulation Lab at Victoria University led by Prof. Robert Walters, and NOVA SBE Data Science Knowledge Center, in partnership with Ripple UBRI with the financial assistance of Lauren Weymouth and the UBRI network. Read More

Meet Alejandro Vaca

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT: Researchers at IE School of Science and Technology are redefining the boundaries of innovation and knowledge. Get to know our faculty who are inspiring and shaping the future leaders in tech.

STUDENT EXPERIENCE

EPFL HACKATHON: A team of students from IE University’s School of Science and Technology and Business School won the Honors Prize at the EPFL Hackathon for their blockchain solution, SUISEATS. The project uses the Move language and SUI blockchain to streamline resale transactions, ensuring transparency and fairness in high-demand markets like event tickets and limited-edition goods. Read More

TECH VENTURE BOOTCAMP: IE students from across five schools participated in the immersive Tech Venture Bootcamp, where they collaborated with experts to develop innovative solutions using GenAI, Blockchain, and Fintech, resulting in real-world ventures. The experience offered hands-on learning, expert mentorship, and the opportunity to pitch their ideas. The event empowered students to collaborate, think outside the box, and develop practical skills for the future of technology and entrepreneurship. Read More

GREEN NAVIGATION: IE University’s Green Navigation project, an AI-powered maritime routing system, has earned global recognition at Dubai’s Prototypes for Humanity event for its ability to reduce fuel consumption and emissions in the shipping industry. Developed by students and researchers, the innovative solution optimizes navigation using real-time ocean data, promoting both environmental sustainability and economic efficiency. Read More

Welcome Back to Madrid

If you graduated in 2015, or 2020, then next year will be your class reunion year! Contact globalalumniweekend@ie.edu if your class would like to celebrate its class reunion at the Global Alumni Weekend in Madrid June 6-8, 2025, and to find out how you can become a Class Reunion committee member volunteer.

IE Tech Leadership Program

As we wrap up the year, it’s the perfect moment to prepare for a transformative start to 2025. This February, the IE Tech Leadership Program kicks off—an unparalleled opportunity to sharpen your leadership skills at the intersection of technology and strategy.

Thought Leadership

Can we trust anything in the age of AI and deepfakes? Audrey Tang, Taiwan’s first Minister of Digital Affairs, sits down with Ikhlaq Sidhu to explore digital trust and how to combat misinformation. Watch Here

After its record-breaking adoption speed, how is ChatGPT changing the workplace? Gordon Burtch explores the effects of AI on social connections, productivity, and innovation. Watch Here

Conscious innovation and entrepreneurship will be key to the business of the future. Serial entrepreneur Michael Baum discusses the ethical impacts of technology, the mental health challenges in entrepreneurship, and why today’s innovators prioritize purpose over mere progress. Watch Here

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