Fifty students from the University of Oviedo complete their training at EDP
Students from the University of Oviedo who took part this year in the Martín González del Valle Scholarship Program of the EDP Foundation received their diplomas during a ceremony held at the University’s Historic Building. The event featured speeches by Alfonso López Muñiz, Vice-Rector for Students and Employability at the University of Oviedo; Manuel Menéndez, President of the EDP Foundation; and Raúl Sánchez, tutor of the students and Head of Licenses and Permits within EDP Spain’s Works and Operations team. All of them praised the students’ dedication during these months of practical training.
During the 2024–2025 academic year, 60 students — 50 from the University of Oviedo — representing 20 undergraduate degrees and 6 master’s programs, joined EDP thanks to scholarships from the EDP Foundation, gaining their first professional experience in the business world. The most common degrees include Business Administration and various Engineering fields.
The students who completed their first work experience at EDP now finish the training period that began last November. Since then, they have been carrying out paid internships across different departments and workplaces within the company, supervised by mentors who have guided their progress throughout their projects and roles.
“Before joining EDP, I had many doubts about my future. Today, thanks to this scholarship, I know I want to continue learning and developing in the field of sustainability and environmental management,” said Arlette Alemán, Chemical Engineering student and intern at the Soto de Ribera thermal power plant, describing this experience as “a turning point in my academic and professional path.” Inspired by her time at EDP, she has decided to pursue a master’s in Environmental Management.
Sofía González, a Business Administration student, found in this internship much more than just a first professional experience: “It has been an enriching journey, not only professionally but also personally, thanks to all the initiatives and volunteer programs I took part in, which motivated me even more to make a positive contribution to my surroundings.”
“Having the opportunity to work and apply the knowledge gained at the University is truly worthwhile,” said Miguel Alonso, a Modern Languages student who joined the Communications team at the company’s corporate headquarters in Oviedo: “I’ve learned a lot.” Meanwhile, Lauren Feito, Civil Engineering student, shared that her time at EDP “has been a very positive experience and will be extremely valuable for my professional and personal future.”
During the ceremony, Manuel Menéndez, President of the EDP Foundation, highlighted the value of this experience for both the students and the company: “You’ve gone through an intense, demanding, and hopefully transformative experience. We know it wasn’t just about applying technical knowledge, but also about working in teams, making real decisions, and facing inspiring challenges. Each of you is part of that network of talent that is progressively taking on leadership, innovation, and transformation roles — in Asturias, in Spain, or wherever your journey takes you.”
He also thanked the tutors for their commitment: “Their generosity, patience, and teaching vocation make this program possible and help it evolve with every new edition. They are a clear example that commitment to new generations isn’t imposed — it’s practiced.”
Alfonso López Muñiz, Vice-Rector for Students and Employability at the University of Oviedo, described this scholarship program as a model of talent development connecting academia and industry: “It’s a great opportunity to gain skills and experience that will be essential for strengthening our students’ professional future, and the University of Oviedo is committed to bridging the gap between education and the labor market.”
The EDP Foundation’s scholarship program is the most significant initiative of its kind developed at the University of Oviedo. It was launched in 1983 and named after Martín González del Valle, who served as President of EDP from 1987 to 1999 and later as Honorary President of both the company and the Foundation until his passing in 2015.
