On October 5, 2026, the Mayor of Vigo welcomed four students from the University of Vigo who have been selected to participate in the second edition of 'Líderes Digitales Universitarios 2026'. This initiative, organized by the Red de Cátedras Telefónica, aims to assess students' technological knowledge, leadership abilities, and communication skills in the face of challenges posed by the digital society.
The selected students, Pablo Alonso, Alberto Nóvoa, Darío López, and Sami Darwich, were accompanied by Manuel Ángel Alonso, the Director of the Northern Territory of Telefónica Spain, and José Cidrás, the Director of the Telefónica Chair at the University of Vigo.
About the Program
'Líderes Digitales Universitarios' is an initiative promoted by Telefónica Spain through its network of university chairs, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. The program aims to recognize, promote, and give visibility to university talent in the field of digital leadership.
The program targets a selection of undergraduate and master's students from 23 academic institutions that are part of the Red de Cátedras Telefónica, the largest university-business collaboration network in Spain. Participants are evaluated through tests designed in collaboration with various areas of Telefónica, focusing on three dimensions: advanced digital skills (hard skills), leadership and communication abilities (soft skills), and knowledge of the business environment.
In the 2026 edition, nearly a hundred pre-selected students, along with university faculty and Telefónica professionals, will participate. The initial selection phase took place in September, leading to the selection of four students from the University of Vigo to represent the institution in the final phase in Madrid, scheduled for October 29 and 30 at Telefónica's headquarters.
During the final event, participants will compete individually in front of a qualified jury, facing more demanding challenges that test their overall capabilities. This year's edition invites university students to reflect on the impact of artificial intelligence on the competitiveness of urban environments, centered around the question: 'Will a Smart City without AI remain competitive in the coming years?'
“Líderes Digitales Universitarios is a demonstration of Telefónica's commitment to new talent and the professionals who will lead the digital transformation of the future. At Telefónica, we take on the challenge of becoming the best access point for citizens to digital technologies, a purpose that is part of our commitment as a socially and culturally responsible company beyond business,” stated Manuel Ángel Alonso.
