A delegation composed of government authorities in education, leaders of educational institutions, and early childhood specialists from Bulgaria visited the Mind Brain and Behavior Research Center (the CIMCYC) at the University of Granada to learn about the Neuromindset model, the university spin-off that applies advances in cognitive neuroscience to the field of education.
During two working days, November 20 and 21, the delegation learned about the educational innovation ecosystem developed in Granada. On November 20, the group visited several schools, including Ave María San Isidro School, where the Neuromindset team demonstrated how programs designed to train attention, self-regulation and executive functions are integrated into the classroom. The delegation observed real sessions with students and verified how teachers apply the methodology in everyday educational contexts to promote concentration and learning.
Subsequently, the delegation was received at Neuromindset headquarters, where they learned about the digital platform supporting the project and its training and support model for schools and professionals.
The closing institutional session took place on Friday, November 21, at the CIMCYC, with a reception headed by María Ruz, the center’s director, Encarnación González Fernández, Councilor for Education, Employment and Equality for the Granada City Council, and Joan Paul Pozuelos, CEO of Neuromindset. The event provided a space for dialogue and the exchange of experiences between Spanish and Bulgarian authorities.
The delegation toured the CIMCYC laboratories and learned about the studies conducted in the Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory that underpin the Neuromindset educational programs, with talks given by researchers Charo Rueda and Lina Cómbita.
Lina Cómbita, co-founder of Neuromindset and head of the educational area, stressed that, "Sharing experiences with other countries allows us to broaden horizons and reinforce the idea that training the mind and emotions is key to building more balanced and happier classrooms."
The Bulgarian delegation consisted of managers and technicians from different regions of the country, including Antoaneta Hineva (Head of Education for the Varna City Council), Pavlina Doneva Makashelova (Gabrovo City Council), Marusya Georgieva Dodova (Regional Directorate of Education in Pleven), Mariana Vasileva Valkova (Regional Directorate of Education in Silistra), Stefanova Svetlana Ivanova (Regional Directorate of Education in Veliko Tarnovo) and Ilonka Goranova, National Representative for OMEP (World Organization for Early Childhood Education).
"This visit reinforces the CIMCYC’s role as an international benchmark in transferring scientific knowledge to the educational field," noted María Ruz, director of the CIMCYC.
For his part, Joan Paul Pozuelos, CEO of Neuromindset, highlighted that, "The interest of international institutions in our methodology demonstrates the value of collaboration between science and education to improve wellbeing and learning from an early age."
The day concluded with a working meeting between the delegation and the CIMCYC team to explore new lines of collaboration in the field of educational innovation and teacher training.
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María Ruz, Director of the CIMCYC, Joan Paul Pozuelos, CEO of Neuromindset, Encarnación González Fernández, Councilor for Education, Employment and Equality for the Granada City Council, and Antoaneta Hineva, Head of Education for the Varna City Council.
