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The co-founder and executive president of Holaluz, Carlota Pi, gave the opening speech at the opening ceremony of the academic year
The event was chaired by the rector, Dr. Alfonso Méndiz, and has counted on the institutional presence of Victòria Girona, Director General of Universities
During the inauguration, the academic report was read and the job placement rate among graduates was highlighted, which is above the average of the Catalan university system.
Barcelona, October 4, 2023.- The International University of Catalonia (UIC Barcelona) today inaugurated the 2023-24 academic year with a solemn ceremony in the Aula Magna of the university, which included an inaugural lecture by the co-founder and executive president of Holaluz, Carlota Pi. Nearly 400 people attended the event, including academic authorities, rectors of different Catalan universities and members of the university community.
In his speech, the rector of the University, Dr. Alfonso Méndiz, highlighted the importance of "reflection" and the "critical spirit" in a changing and uncertain scenario, in which the university plays a crucial role as a source of knowledge. . Méndiz has detailed that "critical thinking, the search for truth, putting people at the center, personal excellence and assuming social commitment are values that define us, and for this reason, they are reflected in our most representative classroom." .
The rector has also referred to the University's Strategic Plan for the next five years (2023-2028), highlighting the four axes on which the University works. "We want to be a global university, a sustainable university, a humanistic university and an innovative university," he stated.
During the event, the academic report for the 2022-2023 academic year was read. The general secretary of the University, Belén Castro, has highlighted the high percentage of job placement of graduates at UIC Barcelona, which stands at 93.75%, compared to the 91% average of the Catalan university system, according to the latest data made public by AQU Catalunya.
During the reading of the academic report, which is available on the Transparency Portal, the general secretary reviewed the most notable milestones in the field of teaching, research and knowledge transfer and the social commitment actions promoted by the institution during the previous year, a year in which the 25 years of the University's history were commemorated.
In terms of research and transfer, he highlighted that three new business chairs have been created, one with the company Medicalfit and two with Soadco, thanks to which UIC Barcelona now has 16 business chairs and 5 business classrooms.
He also highlighted that in the 2022-2023 academic year, UIC Barcelona has 12 families of current patents, that 49 research and transfer agreements were signed with external entities, both nationally and internationally, and that the 2021 SGR call was resolved. , with which UIC Barcelona has 24 recognized research groups.
In terms of internationalization, during the 2022-2023 academic year the University has expanded its alliances with universities from other countries, and 29 new mobility agreements have been signed. As of today, it has 361 mobility agreements in 58 countries and, as a result of some of these agreements, it has a total of 38 international double degrees in its academic offer.
The University's social commitment has been made evident with the data from the Student Scholarship and Aid Program (6 million euros), with the International Cooperation Plan (Cooper Plan) developed by the University, as well as with the actions of national and international volunteering, to whose actions more than 1,000 volunteers have joined last year.
For her part, the General Director of Universities, Victòria Girona, highlighted in her speech that UIC Barcelona is among the 130 best universities in Europe, and noted that "people are the fundamental axis of our university activity." "We have to deepen the comprehensive training of students, promoting their skills, but also their job placement and entrepreneurship," she concluded.
Rooftop revolution
Under the title 'The Rooftop Revolution', the co-founder and executive president of Holaluz, Carlota Pi, focused her presentation on how solar energy must be a key catalyst to promote the energy transition in Spain and Europe as a solution to the current climate crisis. Through Holaluz, Carlota Pi has revolutionized the Spanish energy sector, proposing a structural change for the entire system: transforming m2 of roofs into producers of green energy for everyone and connecting people to renewable energy. She started the company twelve years ago and currently provides electricity service to more than 325,000 customers and manages more than 12,500 photovoltaic installations.
With the vision of creating the most impactful green energy community in Europe, Pi recalled that Holaluz is number 1 worldwide in independent production of green electricity and the largest energy community in Europe.
The speaker at the inaugural lecture at UIC Barcelona has won different awards, including the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award from FEDEPE (Spanish Federation of Women Managers, Executives, Professionals and Businesswomen); the DonaTIC Entrepreneurship Award, awarded by Tertúlia Digital and SmartCAT of the Generalitat of Catalonia; and the Innovation Award from FIDEM (International Foundation for Entrepreneurial Women).
About UIC Barcelona
The International University of Catalonia (UIC Barcelona) was founded in 1997 with the aim of offering quality university education and promoting research to serve society. Linked to the business world and with a marked international character, we are a university proposal that today welcomes around 9,000 students. We teach sixteen degrees, around thirty international double degrees and a wide range of master's degrees, postgraduate degrees and continuing training courses, on the two campuses we have, located in Barcelona and Sant Cugat del Vallès. We offer tailored attention, a comprehensive approach to each student, constant professional connection and innovation in teaching and research methods. We are connected with society and companies through sixteen chairs and five business classrooms, five research institutes and three university clinics.
More information:Elena CastellarnauPress OfficerUIC Barcelona93 254 18 00 | 657369476 | elenac@uic.esImmaculada, 22, 08017 Barcelona | www.uic.es
