Talent Arena 2026:
the value of UPC knowledge
The Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya – BarcelonaTech (UPC) is participating in the second edition of Talent Arena, the main meeting point for digital talent and the technology industry, which will be held from 2 to 4 March 2026 within the framework of the MWC Barcelona.
As a leading public institution in research and higher education in the fields of engineering, architecture, sciences and technology, the UPC is showcasing its comprehensive educational ecosystem.
From bachelor’s and master’s degrees to doctoral programmes and lifelong learning, we empower the next generation of innovators. At the UPC, we don’t just teach technology; we drive social and economic impact.
Because choosing the right path matters:‘UPC, the best decision you ever made’.
The UPC at Talent Arena
Networking Stands.
09.30 – 19.00 I Hall 8 at Fira de Barcelona in Montjuïc.
Av. Reina Maria Cristina, s/n.
08004 Barcelona.
Map of the Event Areas https://talentarena.tech/location-venue/
General admission is free, subject to registration, except for the Pro zone:
https://talentarena.tech/tickets-talent-arena
Explore our educational offer
Discover why the UPC is the benchmark for technological excellence:
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UPC Agenda Events at Talent Arena
Monday 2 March 2026
12:30 – 13:15 h | Hotspot Talks Stage
Roundtable. The Code of the Future: What Companies Look for in AI Talent
Summary:
Beyond code: what are companies and institutions really seeking in AI professionals? Academic and business experts will discuss “hybrid competencies” – the balance between hard technical skills and human- centric soft skills – ethics and adaptability in a disruptive landscape. We will discover how the UPC shapes new roles to meet global challenges and how young talent can lead digital transformation through critical thinking and creativity applied to technology.
Moderator: M. José Jiménez Jiménez, vice-rector for Teaching and Students at the UPC.
Speakers:
- Ernest Teniente López,director of inLab FIB (Barcelona School of Informatics) at the UPC.
- Natalia Martínez Echarte, director of Culture and Talent at SEIDOR.
- Mercè Vila Albacete, data science area manager at inLab FIB and a recent graduate of the master’s degree in Statistics and Operations Research (MESIO UPC-UB).
- Karen Oliveros Felez, data architect at Siemens Energy, with a master’s in AI.
16:15 – 16:30 | The Nest (Streaming Zone). An interview with the UPC rector
Featured guest: Francesc Torres, rector of the UPC. An in-depth look at the University’s role in the global tech ecosystem.
Tuesday 3 March 2026
13:30 – 14:15 | Hotspot Talks Stage
Roundtable. AI Transfer: From the Lab to the Global Market
Summary:
How do we transform research into real-world solutions? This session explores the keys to AI knowledge transfer between academia and industries in need of digital talent. We will analyse successful public-private partnerships, the role of leading labs and how UPC-driven innovation contributes to technological sovereignty. An essential debate on accelerating the innovation cycle and turning algorithms into drivers of economic and social impact.
Moderator: M. José Jiménez Jiménez, vice-rector for Teaching and Students at the UPC.
Speakers:
- Jordi Berenguer Sau, vice-rector for Transfer, Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the UPC.
- Karina Gibert i Oliveres, president of the Official College of Computer Engineers of Catalonia and member of the Executive Board of IDEAI-UPC.
- Aina Giral Balletbò, HR business partner at Giesecke + Devrient (G+D).
- Carla Gómez Cano, co-founder of Theker Robotics, with a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Electronics (EEBE-UPC).
15.30 – 16.30 | Barcelona Stage.
Session. Certified Training to Boost Talent: Partnership Between IT Academy and UPC
Summary:
Discover how the collaboration between Barcelona Activa and the UPC promotes a digital training offer with university certification. This session features institutional perspectives and student experiences to understand the value of microcredentials in talent development and connecting with the job market.
Moderator: Martí Rodríguez Mestre, head of Technological Talent and Innovation at IT Academy at Barcelona Activa
- Gerard Campanera Mercè, executive director of the Fundació Politècnica de Catalunya at UPC
- Sara Díaz Roig, executive director of Strategic Sectors and Talent at Barcelona Activa
