PROPER Project

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PROPER Project


PROPER: PROfessionalization and PERtinence. We align education and digital talent, using evidence, to understand what you expect from your studies, how you envision your professional future and, based on this knowledge, transform teaching.


 

What is PROPER?

  • Teaching innovation project of the FIB-UPC (2024–2026) within UPC Learning Galaxy.
  • It focuses on two key areas: the professionalization of students and their sense of belonging to their studies and the university. 
  • It listens to your own expectations and experiences to understand how you see yourself as a future IT professional.
  • It aims to strengthen your connection with the UPC community and make your time at the FIB a meaningful and transformative experience.

What do we research?

  • Student expectations: what you imagined before starting your studies and how your perspective on computer science and the university changes over the course of your studies.
  • Professional profiles: what roles and competencies the ICT sector demands today and how they connect with what you are studying.
  • Motivation and learning experience: what helps (or hinders) you feel part of the community and progress in your studies.  

 

 

Why are you interested in PROPER as a student?

  • Because we want you to understand the purpose of what you study and what your professional future will look like. 
  • Because a good education in computer science is not just technical: there is a lot to experience at the faculty and many opportunities.
  • Because your personal and professional growth mainly takes place during your university years.

  • Because what you share in surveys, interviews, and focus groups influences real changes in curricula and teaching methods.
  • Because we want the FIB to be a place where you feel heard and part of a community that supports you.

 

What are our goals with PROPER?

Changes in Teaching

  • Review teaching methodologies and assessment systems to make them more engaging.
  • Better contextualize courses within professional reality.
  • Promote experiences that help build a sense of belonging to the FIB.

AI tools to guide you

  • AI assistants to answer questions about study paths, specializations, or administrative procedures.
  • Smart information points so you don’t have to search across different websites..
  • Connect you with the right people when a human conversation is needed.

Professionalization Initiatives

  • Micro-credentials and talks related to emerging technologies.
  • Itineraries showcasing different career paths, with accessible and representative professionals.
  • Better support in the transition from student to professional.


 

PROPER Team

PROPER is an institutional project led by FIB-UPC’s PDI and PTGAS, with the collaboration of Research Support Staff and the Dean’s Office team.

David Lopez

PDI at the FIB-UPC
Research group eduSTEAM.

ORCID: 0000-0002-7993-3799

Josep Fernandez

PDI at the FIB-UPC
Research group eduSTEAM.

ORCID: 0000-0001-9318-3317

Hugo Aranda-Sanchez

Research Support Staff at FIB-UPC.

ORCID: 0009-0002-8912-3703

Eugenia Bretones

PTGAS at the FIB, expert in public management, responsible for equality and diversity, political scientist.
 

 

How you can participate as a student?

  • Sign up for focus groups where we will discuss expectations, challenges, and improvement proposals.
  • Take part in individual interviews to provide deeper insights into your experience.
  • Try out AI assistants and other pilot tools, and help us improve them with your feedback.

  • Get involved in mentoring activities or student associations.
  • Identify what is missing in the curriculum to feel prepared for the career you want to pursue.
  • Reach out to the team if you have any suggestions or proposals.

 

Space for companies

If you hire junior talent from FIB or host students for internships, your experience is key to the PROPER project.

  • Participate in a 45–60 minute interview (in-person at your premises or online).
  • Help us identify trends and gaps between industry needs and current education, aiming to improve professionalization.
  • Receive feedback with research results and improvement proposals. 

 

Results

We presented an initial Work In Progress at the 2025 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE), where we explained the PROPER project and its first results.

Download the WIP article (PDF)
 

If you want to participate

  • Answer surveys and participate in focus groups.
  • Share your experience as a mentor, class representative, or member of student associations.
  • If you are a company, schedule an interview to discuss the development of junior talent.

Contact with us:

Telephone number: +34 93 401 96 53