Andorra Launches First Connecta Education Fair with Strong Student Turnout

Andorra's first Connecta education fair opened Thursday in Andorra la Vella, with Ministers Ladislau Baró and Mònica Bonell inaugurating the event amid strong early turnout. The two-day gathering features 87 to 90 stands from Andorran, Spanish, and French universities, vocational schools, professional bodies, and speakers, expecting nearly 2,000 students from fourth-year ESO and Batxillerat to visit.

Baró, Minister of Institutional Relations, Education and Universities, praised the fair's lively atmosphere and solid setup just after the ribbon-cutting. He called Connecta a much-needed "qualitative leap" in guidance policies, positioning it to stay, grow, and strengthen ties with businesses, professional colleges, educators, and youth programs under Bonell's oversight. The minister noted its complementarity with this week's fourth French Higher Education Fair, organised by the French embassy and education delegation, which attracted 500 students. Baró stressed that effective orientation demands year-round efforts beyond fairs, including digital tools and ongoing support to link students' academic present with professional and personal futures, while fostering citizenship.

Bonell, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, hailed the collaboration as a success aligned with the national youth plan and childhood-adolescence strategy. She emphasised the value for students in accessing full details on study options and locations.

Students such as Emma, Enara, and Valentina, interested in pharmacy at IQS, psychology, and dentistry at UIC, used the event to verify choices and entry requirements. They appreciated the local platform but saw limited prospects in Andorra. Exhibitors welcomed the exposure: Daniel from Universitat Abat Oliva CEU said it boosts recruitment of Andorran students, who number 12 to 15 annually; Míriam from INEFC Pirineus in La Seu d'Urgell promoted its "kilometre zero" access to sidestep housing and transport hurdles; and Virgínia Luzón, vice-rector for communications at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, spotlighted competitively priced on-campus housing designed for students.

New participants included Escola Universitària de les Arts ERAM from Girona, showcasing degrees in audiovisual and communication, performing arts, and fashion, and UNED, promoting its hybrid model with over 30 degrees, master's, and doctorates across Europe's largest campus network.