The Xunta de Galicia and the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC) have just signed a collaboration agreement for the development of the project AVATARES, an innovative initiative aimed at improving the educational support provided to students with chronic or long-term illnesses through the use of telepresence technology.

The main objective of this project is to facilitate the continuity of the educational process for hospitalized students, enabling them to remain connected to their reference school, participate in classroom activities, and preserve their bond with teachers and classmates. The use of telepresence robots thus helps to reduce academic and emotional isolation and to promote students’ emotional and social well-being during periods of hospitalization.

The AVATARES project is promoted by the Center for Educational and Digital Innovation of the Consellería and by the TECNOEDUC research group at the University of Santiago de Compostela. The pilot phase will begin during the current school year in the Hospital Classroom of the Santiago de Compostela University Hospital Complex, with the participation of Primary Education students, as well as teachers from their reference schools.

This initiative represents a new step forward in attention to diversity and in the incorporation of technological innovation as a resource in the service of educational inclusion, reinforcing the commitment of the Xunta de Galicia and CIEDix to a more equitable, accessible, and high-quality education system capable of responding to the needs of students who are absent from school for extended periods.