"The idea for the course came about when we noticed students’ lack of practical training on how to do research projects", said David Tanganelli, a professor in the Department of Economics and Business Organization and the main organizer of the course. "So we thought it would be a good way to provide students with some tools and approaches that will help them carry out their projects".

The idea was proposed due to the fact that secondary-school students must do an obligatory final recent project in the form of a university research paper, which not everyone knows how to do. This became clear from the number of students who attended the course. There were almost 400 students on the first day and another hundred on the second day.

The course was made up of three practical sessions. The first was given by Víctor Cavaller, a professor in the faculty, who discussed how to structure ideas and the approach to take in each case. In the second session, Cristina Rovira, the Assistant Director of the Catalan Institute of Statistics (IDESCAT), talked about how to find sources of information and prepare surveys. Finally, in the third session, Borja Alarcón, the Vice Rector for the UIC University Community, gave tips on how to choose the right degree programme at university.

The course also put tutors from the UIC in contact with outstanding students carrying out projects in the fields of economics and business.