IES Jaime II of Alicante has been crowned champion in the inaugural edition of the University of Alicante's (UA) Financial Education contest, themed “What is money?. From bartering to cryptocurrencies”. In this competition, IES La Creueta of Onil and IES Santa Pola secured second and third place, respectively.
The award ceremony took place on Monday, October 5th, in the Germán Bernácer auditorium. UA Rector Amparo Navarro presided over the event, accompanied by Vice-Rector for Transfer, Entrepreneurship, and Scientific Dissemination María Jesús Pastor, Minister of Economy, Finance, and Public Administration José Antonio Rovira, Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Business Sciences M ª Carmen Tolosa, Director of the Bank of Spain in Alicante Pedro Sánchez Abad, and board member of the College of Economists of Alicante Iván Poveda Quiles.
During her speech, Rector Navarro emphasized the importance of financial education for making informed decisions, framing the program within the UA's strategy to bring knowledge closer to citizens, especially younger generations, thereby fostering a society better prepared for the future.
Similarly, María Jesús Pastor highlighted that the commemoration of Financial Education Day, on the first Monday of October, aims to underscore the significance of basic financial knowledge and promote responsible behavior. The UA launched this program and contest, which saw notable participation with 32 videos created by 145 students, praised for the quality and originality of their work.
The first prize, awarded to the team “Activas de confianza” from IES Jaime II of Alicante, comprised of students Sofía Benavent, Alba Hernández, and Cristina Rivero, includes a 600 euro check, a trip to Madrid with a visit to the Bank of Spain, along with a diploma and plaque for the educational center.
The second prize went to the group “Economía en transformación” from IES La Creueta of Onil, formed by Néstor Rivera, Nahia Aránega, Lamís Backhouch, and Ana Pardines. They received 500 euros, a plaque for the center, and diplomas for the team and their tutor.
The team “Business Llonga” from IES Santa Pola secured third place, receiving 400 euros, a plaque for the school, and diplomas for students Ginés García, Álex González, David Vergel, Michele-José Pérez, Kalel Béjar, and their tutor Elia Sogorb.
The next edition of the contest will focus on the theme “Is it worth saving? Saving is the beginning, not the end,” and educational institutions are encouraged to participate. The contest, aimed at secondary, baccalaureate, and vocational training students in the province of Alicante, seeks to foster interest in financial education and enhance transversal skills such as communication and teamwork. The program is supported by UA Divulga, FECYT, the Bank of Spain, and the Official College of Economists of Alicante.
