ROBINTECH Seminar in Spain: Technology, Culture and Collaboration
Recently, colleagues from ROC Mondriaan – School for Smart Technology participated in an inspiring international seminar in Spain as part of the Erasmus+ project ROBINTECH. The event, hosted by IES Bernat Guinovart, brought together European partners to exchange knowledge, strengthen collaboration and further develop educational materials in robotics and automation.
A Warm Welcome in Valencia
The seminar was marked by an exceptionally warm and generous welcome from the Spanish hosts. While the programme was intensive and work-focused, there was also ample opportunity to experience the rich culture and cuisine of the Valencia region.
Our visit coincided with Las Fallas, one of Spain’s most iconic festivals. We witnessed vibrant parades, traditional clothing, impressive sculptures made of wood and papier-mâché, live music and unforgettable (and very loud) fireworks.
A particular highlight was the Ofrena de Flors (Flower Offering), a deeply rooted and emotional tradition. During this ceremony, thousands of participants dressed in traditional Valencian attire bring flowers to the Virgen de los Desamparados, the patron saint of Valencia. The event beautifully reflects a strong sense of community, tradition, and pride.
Experiencing these cultural elements together also contributed to one of the key goals of the seminar: getting to know each other better and strengthening the foundation for long-term international collaboration.
Industry Insight and Hands-On Workshop
The seminar programme combined educational exchange with real-world industry insights. A visit to AGFRA Automation Intelligence provided valuable insight into current developments in industry, reinforcing the importance of aligning education with professional practice.
One of the key highlights of the seminar was a hands-on workshop on programming industrial robots. Participants worked with Fanuc robots, directly applying their knowledge in a practical setting.
This hands-on experience is central to the ROBINTECH approach: connecting theory to practice and ensuring that both teachers and students are equipped with relevant, future-proof skills.
Developing Practical Teaching Materials
During the seminar, five new training modules were introduced. These modules will be piloted and evaluated across the partner institutions and are designed to support vocational education in robotics and automation.
The modules focus on key industrial applications:
- Welding robots
- Machine vision
- Connecting CNC and robot systems
- Application of IO-Link and RFID in industry
- Getting started with EPLAN
Strengthening European Collaboration
Beyond the content, the seminar underlined the importance of collaboration. By working closely together, partners not only develop educational materials, but also build mutual understanding and trust – essential for sustainable cooperation.
Looking Ahead
The seminar in Spain marks an important step in the development of innovative teaching resources in industrial robotics and automation. The next phase will focus on testing and refining the modules in educational practice. At the same time, the strong connections established during this visit provide a solid foundation for continued collaboration within ROBINTECH.