Andorra's IUTA Drives Digital Transformation with New Tech Degrees

The Institut Universitari de Tecnologia Aplicada (IUTA) at Universitat Europea-IMF d’Andorra (eUniv) serves as the institution's dedicated hub for technology studies, playing a central role in the country's push toward digitalization, according to its director, Joaquim Vallès.

Established in 2023, the IUTA addressed the need for a specialized space focused on tech programs, distinct from the university's Col·legi Universitari Francesc Layret, which handles humanities and social sciences degrees. It now offers three bachelor's programs—Informàtica, Enginyeria d’Organització Industrial, and Ciència de Dades—with around 100 students enrolled across them. A master's in Enginyeria Informàtica has been approved and will launch soon.

Vallès described these courses as essential to Andorra's ongoing transformation, noting strong demand for the Ciència de Dades bachelor's, which began this September. Students have responded positively to the teaching approach, which blends online flexibility with weekly three-hour live sessions. "In tech fields, this synchronous time is vital for tackling issues in maths, physics, or coding," he said.

The institute also emphasizes ethical AI use amid tools like ChatGPT. It has retained traditional exams to verify learning outcomes for government standards, while developing its own RAI system. This tool quizzes students with three questions on their submitted work to confirm understanding, regardless of how it was produced.

Beyond classrooms, IUTA is contributing to Andorra's new tech hub, a joint public-private initiative aimed at reshaping the economy. "The university must help build the Principality's digital future," Vallès stated. He stressed higher education's core mission: nurturing talent that can stay in Andorra or enhance its global reputation through exports.