Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Annual report for the 2018-2019 academic year Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona Annual report for the 2018-2019 academic year Edited by Secretary General Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Coordination Rector’s Office Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Design Mètode Design
Fotographs Antoni Bofill Pierre Caufapé Carlos Iborra Pedro Moreno Jordi Pareto Amics UAB Area of Communication and Marketing Area of International Relations Fundació Autònoma Solidària UAB Research Park
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona Campus de Bellaterra 08193 Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès) www.uab.cat/en
Information in this report for the 2018-2019 academic year is accurate at 31 May 2019. This report is also available in Catalan (www.uab.es/memoria/2018-2019) and in Spanish (www.uab.es/memoria/2018-2019/castellano). Índex
01 Presentation 04
02 50th anniversary of the UAB 06
03 Governance and institutional activities 08
04 Teaching 10
05 Research and transfer of knowledge and technology 18
06 International projection 28
07 Social and environmental commitment 32
08 University community 36
09 Resource management 40 Presentation
The Annual Report of the Universitat also like to highlight the creation this year project promotes a kind of international Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) gives of the Teaching Excellence Award of the training which involves people from information about the main events during UAB which aims to recognise teaching society and industry and allows courses the academic year in terms of teaching, activities carried out by our teaching and or routes to be followed which respond research and knowledge transfer. research staff and promote constant to specific themes related to the global challenges established by the United This year, institutional activity at the innovation and improvement in teaching. Nations. university has been closely linked to the The impact of the activities carried out celebration of the 50th anniversary of the by research groups at the UAB and the The university community has taken an UAB. Among the activities carried out, I UAB Sphere has translated into a major active part in volunteer and cooperation would like to highlight particularly the increase in resources from European programmes at the UAB and in actions nomination of five honorary doctorates competitions, consolidating the position aimed at highlighting our commitment to in recognition of their contributions in the of the UAB among the leaders in Spain the environment. One of these actions areas of cultural identity (Jaume Plensa), in terms of the returns obtained from the was the approval of the UAB Declaration solidarity (Marie-Paule Kieny), freedom Horizon 2020 framework programme. of Climate Emergency. of expression (Caddy Adzuba), Our strategies for internationalisation and The year the UAB has successfully carried knowledge (Lisa Randall)and commitment the attraction and retention of talent have out the missions that it had set itself and to the Catalan language and society resulted in our obtaining six grants this has demonstrated a firm commitment to (Joaquim Maria Puyal). As well as year from the European Research Council. progress in the social and regional recognising their academic excellence, In the area of transfer and innovation, I environment. This collective desire has the celebration of this event has enabled would like to point out that the UAB had positive results thanks to the the university community to come Research Park has made a decisive perseverance of the university community together and reclaim the fundamental contribution to promoting the B30 Hub and despite the great difficulties imposed values of a public and socially-committed with the incorporation of new members by what is clearly insufficient financing university. who have joined the strategic alliance of the public universities. This reflection on the past, present and this year to promote innovation in the Under the motto “The audacity of future of the university has also been a region surrounding the B30 trunk road. knowledge”, the UAB has concluded the leading factor in drawing up the Strategic Also, the day seminars organised by this celebrations of its 50th anniversary this Plan for the UAB 2018-2030, which was platform have become an essential academic year. The celebrations have approved by the Senate this year. The meeting point for researchers and the clearly shown the strength and vitality of plan is the culmination of a participative business fabric. This year the UAB has our institution and have laid the basis for process to establish the strategic lines also maintained its leadership in patent a continued period of rigour and and priority objectives in the different applications among Spanish universities determination in order to achieve our areas of the university over the next to the European Patents Office. goals in the future. decade. The presentation of the ECIU University Margarita Arboix Arzo In the 2018-2019 academic year our project, presented by the European Rector pledge for teaching quality and innovation Consortium of Innovative Universities to has been fundamental in rolling out a build university alliances has been very diverse and cross-sectional offer to important strategy for the respond to new social demands. I would internationalisation of the UAB. The
04 Annual report for the 2018-2019 academic year Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona 01
Figures for 2018-2019
Courses Internationalisation
Bachelor’s degrees 102 Foreign undergraduate students 1,415
Master’s degrees 129 Foreign official Master’s degree students 1,100
PhD programmes 68 Foreign UAB Master’s degree students 1,008
Lifelong learning programmes (2017-2018) 403 Foreign PhD students 1,755
UAB faculties and schools 13 UAB students on exchange programmes 1,335
Attached university schools 10 Students on exchange programmes at the UAB 1,385
Foreign students on the Study Abroad programme 2,893 Teaching
New undergraduate students 6,957 Human resources (2018)
Total undergraduate students 25,924 Teaching and research staff 3,868
Bachelor’s degree graduates (2017-2018) 4,663 Trainee research staff 569
Master’s degree students 2,992 Administration and services staff 2,275
Master’s degree graduates (2017-2018) 2,110 Budget (2018) New undergraduate students in attached centres 1,236 Expenditure settlement statement (in millions of Euros) 319.74 Bachelor’s degree graduates in attached centres 4,924
Titulats de grau en centres adscrits (2017-2018) 1,191 Notes: Master’s degree students in attached centres 797 • Information for the 2017-2018 academic year was correct at 31 Master’s degree graduates in attached centres 478 May 2019. (2017-2018) • The number of full-time equivalent undergraduate students is 24,166. Lifelong learning students (2017-2018) 5,898 • The number of students does not include students on interuniversity programmes who are not registered directly at Research (2018) the UAB.
Research groups recognised by the Government 205 • Teaching and research staff includes postdoctoral researchers of Catalonia (Ramon y Cajal, Juan de la Cierva, Beatriu de Pinós, etc.), of whom there are 199. Departments 57 • The number of full-time equivalent teaching and research staff Research and study centres 25 is 2,666. UAB research institutes 8
Attached research institutes 35
PhD students 4,832
Doctoral theses presented (2017-2018) 541
Articles published in indexed journals (WOK-ISI) 4,568
Total patents applied for 35
New companies in the UAB Research Park 4
Resources allocated for research (in millions of Euros) 78.89
05 50th Anniversary of the UAB
The celebration of the 50th anniversary of the UAB has been central to much of the institutional and cultural activity of the university. Under the motto “The audacity of knowledge” a series of activities and events were organised throughout the year to emphasise the challenges achieved throughout the fifty years of the university’s history.
Orpheus. Then, director, composer and alumnus of the UAB Marc Timón conducted the cantata El secret de les coses. In the third and final part of the concert all the performers came onto the stage for the hymn Hör mein Bitten, by Felix Mendelssohn. 50 years of the student movement Extraordinary Honorary Doctorate On 14 May there was an audio-visual Awards presentation 50 years of the student The UAB begins an academic year movement at the UAB. in the main lecture As part of the celebrations for the 50th dedicated to migrant people hall of the Faculty of Sociology and Political anniversary of the UAB, there were five honorary doctorates awarded for five On 6 September the official opening of Science. The event was attended by representatives of the students and thematic areas and areas of academic the 2018-2019 academic year for the members of the Governing Team, the knowledge all of which show a UAB and the Catalan university system Administration and Services staff and the commitment to society: freedom of took place at the Sant Pau Modernista Teaching and Research staff of the UAB. It expression, solidarity, cultural identity, Complex in Barcelona. As part of the included a round table discussion moderated scientific knowledge and commitment to 50th anniversary celebration of the UAB, by Miquel Domènech, coordinator of the the Catalan language and society. the site of the first Faculty of Medicine activities for the 50th anniversary celebration hosted a ceremony dedicated to people at the UAB, including the participation of who have migrated, in the presence of some of the people who appeared in the the President of the Government of audio-visual, representing the different Catalonia, Quim Torra, among other generations that have made up the history authorities. The founder and director of of the student movement at the UAB. the Proactiva Open Arms organisation gave the inaugural speech “Human Rights in the Mediterranean”. The event was accompanied by musical performances by the Orpheus XXI and the Choir of the UAB and closed with a On 6 November at the auditorium of the Halab dance performance by the Sol Faculty of Arts and Humanities, the Picó. sculptor Jaume Plensa received an Concert at the Palau de la Música honorary doctorate from the UAB in On 19 May the 50th anniversary celebrations recognition of his artistic career in the continued at the Palau de la Música Catalana field of sculpture, in which especially with a concert by the UAB Orchestra and remarkable are his projects for the public Choir, together with Marc Timón, the Girls’ space and contributions to the performing Choir and the Youth Choir of the Catalan Orpheus. arts. The sponsor was Jèssica Jaques, lecturer in Aesthetics and the Theory of During the first part of the recital the audience enjoyed two works performed by the Girls’ Art at the UAB. Choir and the Youth Choir of the Catalan
06 Annual report for the 2018-2019 academic year Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona 02 Highlight
On 6 June the closing act for the 50th anniversary celebrations included live music from The Bazaga’s, who played English music from the 1980s at the Plaça Academica of the university
Presentation of the collection “50 Years of UAB Experiences” On 9 October the new collection “50 Years of UAB Experiences” was presented at the Casa del Llibre bookshop. The first four volumes in the collection which is published by the UAB Publications Service bring together a set of unique experiences of distinguished teaching staff from the UAB: José Enrique Ruiz-Domènec, Antoni Serra-Ramoneda, Ramon Pascual de Sans and Francisco Microbiologist and activist Marie-Paule Lisa Randall, professor of Physics Theory Rico. Kieny was awarded with an honorary at the University of Harvard and well doctorate by the UAB on 16 January in known scientist received an honorary recognition of the values and solidarity doctorate from the UAB on 25 March in expressed and transmitted through the recognition of her achievements in the transference of free patents from her field of particle physics and cosmology, research, focusing on diseases that a precious source of inspiration for especially affect developing countries. professors and students worldwide and Prof. Tomàs Pumarola, from the a genuine expression of the audacity of Department of Microbiology of the UAB knowledge. She was sponsored by Prof. was the sponsor. Àlex Pomarol, of the Department of the Theory Physics of the UAB. Exhibition “50 Years of Research at the UAB” On 29 April the exhibition “50 Years of Research at the UAB” opened in the Communications Library and General New Archive. Curated by Carlos Acosta Rizo, lecturer in History of Science, and with the collaboration of Living Culture On 5 March, Congolese lawyer Caddy and the Audio-visuals and Adzuba was awarded an honorary Multimedia Unit of the Area of doctorate by the UAB for her systematic On 7 May, journalist Joaquim Maria and courageous struggle for freedom of Puyal received an honorary doctorate Communication and Promotion expression and in defence of the rights from the UAB in recognition of his career of the UAB, the exhibition shows of women, children and other victims of as a communicator and his exemplary the scientific and technological serious violations of human rights in the contribution to the development of equipment that has been used Democratic Republic of Congo, and language, culture and media in Catalonia. throughout the 50 years of the especially for her role as a journalist in Miquel de Moragas, honorary professor university. Radio Okapi. Prof. Gregorio Garzón, of of the Department of Media, the Department of International Public Communication and Culture of the UAB Law and International Relations was the sponsor. was the sponsor.
07 Institutional Governance and Activity
On 27 February in an extraordinary session the UAB Senate debated and approved the Strategic Plan for the University which will set out the institutional activities for the period 2018-2030.
Governance agreements Board of Trustees
During this academic year, the governing - Approval of the regulations and general In 2018-2019 the Board of Trustees of and representational bodies of the plan of the UAB for: recognition of the UAB renewed the position of its chair university have continued with their research activities covered under article Gabriel Masfurroll Lacambra, in activities. 21.1 of Law 24/2015 of 24 July on agreement with the Government of patents; the protocol for action against Student elections to the Senate took place Catalonia. harassment for reasons of sex, sexual on 14 and 15 No 2018 and the session in In addition to all the actions taken within orientation, gender identity or expression which the new members joined took place the framework of the University-Society of gender and sexist violence at the UAB; on 18 December 2018. At that session Programme (see the chapter on Social the creation of the Commission for the student member of the Senate and Environmental Commitment), the Quality at the UAB; the UAB Bellaterra Committee was chosen and the student board of Trustees has taken on the Campus Mobility Plan 2018-2024; representative of the Senate at the competences that are given to it by the Regulations for scientific journals at the Governing Council, and the annual report Law on Catalan Universities in the areas UAB and the 4th Action Plan for Gender of the Rector on the general policy lines of university community, planning and Equality 2019-2023. of the university was approved. management and finance. Specifically - Nomination of Dr. Anne Cheng as the The Senate met twice: on 27 February during this year there were 22 meetings recipient of an honorary doctorate. and 30 May 2019. During these meetings of the committees, 8 plenary sessions the Strategic Plan of the Universitat - Declaration of climate emergency and 263 agreements were made. Autònoma de Barcelona for 2018-2030 seconding the initiative of the UAB It should be pointed out that the Board was approved and there was a declaration Ecologist Assembly. of Trustees has worked actively on the regarding the economic situation of the - Approval of communication and events of the 50th anniversary university. declarations in the following areas: celebrations and on the UAB Strategic The Governing Council met seven times: communication of the strike days of 28 Plan for 2018-2030. on 27 September, 7 November and 5 and 29 November for the lowering of Among the most important actions this December 2018; and on 6 February, 13 university fees, communication in support year are the tasks carried out in line with March, 15 may and 4 July 2019. 104 of the motion to support the citizens’ the Governing Team for finding formulas agreements were adopted and points of initiative for universities in the terms of for the improvement of innovation and information, discussion and approval were the annexe and to urge the Catalan transfer at the university, which have dealt with. The following are some of the Parliament to debate and approve the translated as the continuation of the main ones. citizens’ initiative for universities, Smart Money programme and the manifestation of support for the action - Approval and presentation to the Board consolidation of the B30 Hub (aimed at of the Governing Team deriving from the of Trustees of the UAB Budget for the speeding up the process of knowledge requirements of the Electoral Committee. 2019 financial year, the financial report, transfer by the research groups to the the balance statement and the settlement . business fabric and the creation of of the budget corresponding to the collaboration networks) as well as the financial year ending on 31 December design of the Dual Training and Challenge 2018 as well as the general lines and the Generation projects. calendar of the Budget Stabilisation Plan of the UAB for 2020-2052.
08 Annual report for the 2018-2019 academic year Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona 03 Highlight
First Summit of Rector of Spanish Public Universities On 26 November the Jaume I University of Castelló hosted the Strategic Plan for first summit of rectors of Spanish Recognition of teaching staff public universities entitled 2018-2030 at the UAB “University policies on matter of The approval of the Strategic Plan for the This year several members of the gender, under debate”. During UAB for 2018-2030 represents the UAB academic staff have received the summit there was discussion culmination of a participation process for academic and institutional of the strengths and weaknesses reflection on the future of the UAB and recognition. Among them, it should of university policies on gender establishes the strategic lines and priority be highlighted that Prof. Amparo and the Declaration of Castelló objectives that will allow the future Hurtado of the Department of was approved, establishing challenges of the university to be faced. Translation and Interpreting and East priorities to progress to gender Specifically, the new plan defines the Asian Studies received an honorary equality in the university ambit. mission and vision of the UAB on the doctorate from the Ricardo Palma horizon of 2030 and established six de Lima University in Peru for her strategic lines which cover the offer of teaching and research work in academic courses, knowledge transfer, translation studies. promoting the potential of the campus and the students and staff of the UAB, governance and international projection, as follows: 1.Multidisciplinary and multilingual offer of course which are capable of meeting the The first Night of the Board of needs of society with the support of Trustees of the UAB brings research and innovative and quality together university, society teaching models. and business Also this year the Government of 2.Responsibility for social change through Catalonia awarded the Cross of Sant On the 4 October the first Night the generation and transfer of knowledge. Jordi to Prof. Gemma Rigau of the of the Board of Trustee of the UAB took place at the 3.The people at the UAB are its main asset. Catalan Studies department and to Jaume Terrades, Emeritus Professor Modernista Sant Pau Complex. 4.The UAB campus: spaces to promote of Ecology. Also, the University Under the banner “Society and relations, confluence and cohesion of the Nursing and Occupational Therapy university: further together”, different groups that make up the School of Terrassa, attached to the during the evening the work of university community. UAB celebrated its centenary this different institutions and 5.Autonomous, participative and year, and was also awarded this individuals was recognised: the transparent model of governance with recognition. Barça Foundation (University- an effective and efficient management Society Prize), Banco Santander Prof. Agustí Lledós, of the system. (University-Business Prize), the Department of Chemistry and Prof. filmmaker Carla Simón (Alumni 6.Consolidation and international Joan Gómez Pallarès, of the Prize) and research Miquel recognition as an innovative and quality Department of Ancient and Medieval Chillón (UAB Transfer Prize). university. Studies, receive the Narcís Monturiol To roll out the plan 17 strategic objectives for scientific and technological have been defined with 50 operational studies. objectives.
09 Teaching
The UAB has continued to offer an innovative, diverse and cross-cutting set of courses which open doors to professions and areas of knowledge with more projection for the future.
Academic policy
The UAB has continued to offer an During 2018 the general competences The UAB firmly supports the creation of innovative, diverse and cross-cutting set for undergraduate degrees at the UAB joint courses with other universities and of courses which open doors to were revised and approved to include the has been working to launch new degree professions and areas of knowledge with university’s commitment to equality courses jointly with the universities of the more projection for the future. between women and men and in lines with A4U universities alliance. Specifically in Quality is the fundamental pillar for studies the objectives for sustainable development 2020-2021 it is planned to offer a new at the UAB. The university promotes and the lines of the Strategic Plan. They degree in Science and Humanities, innovation and improvement in teaching are: coordinated by the UAB and with the through calls for projects and training 1.Introduce changes in the methods and participation of the Universidad Autónoma activities and this year has seen the processes in the area of knowledge to de Madrid and the Universidad Carlos III addition of the new initiative: UAB Price offer innovative solutions to the needs of Madrid, and a Degree in Science for Teaching Excellence, which was won and demands of society. shared with these universities and coordinated by the Universidad de in this first year by Prof. Sònia Parella of 2.Act within the area of knowledge itself to Madrid. the Department of Sociology. place a value on social, economic and Teaching innovation has also been present environmental impacts. As part of the process of internationalisa- tion of courses the UAB is committed to in the more flexible teaching options which 3.Act with ethical responsibility and respect publishing teaching guides in three facilitate access to the UAB by a new type for basic rights and responsibilities, languages (Catalan, Spanish and English). of student and new training demands. As diversity and democratic values. well as the continuing postgraduate To achieve this objective has come to an courses examples of the new courses are 4.Act within the area of knowledge itself to agreement with the UAB Language the dual pre-graduate courses, closely assess inequalities for reasons of sex and Service, which has produced a guide to linked to the needs of regional companies gender. writing the teaching guides in English. It and institutions, and the MOOC. New degree courses being offered from is planned that these actions will allow The prestige of the UAB and the constant 2020-2021 already include these basic all teaching guides to be trilingual in 2019- growth in the offer of courses in English general competences and it is anticipated 2020. that the rest of the courses will incorporate has contributed significantly to attracting Also, as a result of the process of them as they are reviewed. A handbook foreign students, especially at postgraduate analysing scientific and technical has also been produced to identify level, and to the internationalisation of local documents at the UAB, the Speech and learning outcomes and teaching and students. Sound Processing Service has been assessment methods for the different approved as a teaching service Finally, this year has seen professional areas of knowledge. advice and guidance offered to more than dependent on the Faculties of Art and 4,000 students and access to work Humanities given the importance of its placements both within the country and support for teaching activities. abroad. The UAB Emprèn programme has made resources and activities available to students to stimulate creativity and promote social and environmental enterprise.
10 Annual report for the 2018-2019 academic year Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona 04 Highlight
Headcount for new students on Bachelor's degrees
6,957 6,486 6,634 6,575 6,584
1,601 Attached Different centres celebrate the 1,344 1,343 1,324 1,236 centres UAB anniversary centres 2014-2015 2015-2016 2016-2017 2017-2018 2018-2019 The Faculty of Medicine, which was established at the same time as the UAB itself in 1968, has also celebrated its 50th Undergraduate student numbers in UAB Centres 2018-2019 anniversary this year. The main Centre Students registered event took place on 20 September at the Sant pau Women Men Total Teaching Unit in the historical School of Engineering 365 1,866 2,231 Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Faculty of Economics and Business 1,218 1,614 2,832 Pau Modernista complex in
Faculty of Biosciences 1,289 609 1,898 Barcelona, which is where the activity of the faculty began. Faculty of Science 884 1,375 2,259 The Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Education 1,933 347 2,280 Humanities, hosted the closing Faculty of Communication 1,212 602 1,814 event for the fiftieth anniversary Faculty of Political Science and Sociology 559 536 1,095 on 6 June after two years of
Faculty of Law 1,296 629 1,925 celebrations. During the event homage was paid to the retired Faculty of Arts and Humanities 1,961 1,251 3,212 lecturers from the faculty who Faculty of Medicine 1,783 728 2,511 mainly saw the setting up of the Faculty of Psychology 1,450 325 1,775 university and there was a journey through the five decades Faculty of Translation and Interpreting 930 277 1,207 of the history of the faculty Faculty of Veterinary Medicine 673 212 885 through music, memories and Total 15,553 10,371 25,924 testimonies.
Undergraduate student numbers in attached centres 2018-2019 The Sabadell Campus and the Taulí Park Teaching Unit also Centre Students registered held special activities to Women Men Total celebrate their 25th and 10th
Eina, University Centre for Design and Art in Barcelona 274 116 390 anniversaries respectively. The Taulí Park auditorium was the Escola Massana. Municipal Art and Design Centre 255 75 330 venue on 19 September and was School of Prevention and Integral Safety and Security 71 201 272 attended by the rector of the US for Health Sciences* 32 35 67 UAB, Margarita Arboix, and the director of the western section US for Social Sciences* 9 3 12 of the CatSalut Vallès Occidental US Gimbernat 777 613 1,390 Health Sector. On 7 March the US for Nursing Sant Pau 306 56 362 25th anniversary of the opening US for Nursing and Occupational Therapy of Terrassa 697 153 850 of the Sabadell campus took place there and was attended US Salesiana de Sarrià 66 524 590 by Esteve Deu, historian and US for Tourism and Hotel Management 470 191 661 emeritus lecturer of the UAB who Total 2,957 1,967 4,924 gave a talk on “Sabadell, from industry to services”.
In process of detachment from 2015-2016. US= University School
11 Headcount for new UAB Master's degree students
2,433 2,497 2,464 2,314 2,059
572 525 586 516 Attached 38% 346 centres UAB foreign Master’s degree centres students 2014-2015 2015-2016 2016-2017 2017-2018 2018-2019
Bachelor’s degrees Postgraduate courses
In the 2018-2019 academic year, the UAB in 2017-2018 to 6,957 in 2018-2019, The UAB offers a braid and diverse series launched the first new Bachelor’s degree spurred on by the positive acceptance of Master’s degrees covering all areas of approved in accordance with the new of the new qualifications which fully knowledge and training options planning criteria. These are cross-cutting, covered the number of places on offer. (professional, research and specialisation). innovative and quality degrees which This growth has had a positive effect on Following the sharp growth that preceded facilitate access to professions and areas the total Bachelor’s degree registration the consolidation of Master’s courses as of knowledge with more projection for figures, which had experienced a slight a stage in university education, the offer the future. With these new qualifications, but sustained drop in recent years, rising of official Master’s degrees at the UAB eight degrees and one double degree, this year by 1% to 25,924 students. currently attracts around 3,000 new the number of courses offered by the students a year (2,900 in 2018-2019) and For the centres attached to the UAB there UAB is over one hundred for Bachelor’s generates 2,600 Master’s graduates (2,588 was a drop of 6.6% for first time degree (102), including 12 double degrees in 2018-2019). registrations and the number of students and 4 degrees also offered in English. fell from 1,324 last year to 1,236 in 2018- This year six new UAB-specific Master’s 2019. The total number of registrations degree were offered, of which four were New degrees 2018-2019 for bachelor’s degrees fell slightly more in the humanities and social sciences • Ancient History by 7.5% from 5,321 students in 2017- (Chinese for Spanish-speaking Students; • Data Engineering 2018 to 4,924 this year. However, the Conference Interpreting; Journalism and • Gender Studies (three years, UAB degree) process of detachment of the university Innovation in Digital Content and • Philosophy, Politics and Economics (UAB, schools in Manresa, which began in 2015- Translation and Intercultural Studies), one UAM, UC3M i UPF) 2016 needs to be taken into account. on the application of technology in the health field (Internet of Things for Digital • Geography, Environment and Regional In 2017-2018 on the other hand 4,663 Health) and one on the area of health Planning students graduated from UAB centre, (Paediatric Physiotherapy). • Intelligent and Sustainable Cities (three 4.4% fewer than in 2016-2017 (4,877) years) and 1,190 graduated from attached For 2019-2020 the new Erasmus Mundus • Computational Mathematics and Data centres, 9% more than the previous year Master’s degree in Children’s Literature Analytics (1,092). Media and Culture (CLMC) has been approved to be offered by the Faculty of • International Relations In terms of the offer of courses approved Education, and the UAB-specific Master’s • Political Science and Public Management for 2019-2020, the UAB will incorporate degree in Tourism Management of + Sociology three very innovative degrees: two in the Cultural Heritage, offered by the School area of communications, Interactive of Tourism and Hotel Management, which The capacity for attraction and the offer Communication and Communication is attached to the UAB. Also, this year of Bachelor’s degrees has grown with in Organisations, and one in engineering, four other Erasmus Mundus Master’s respect to previous years: pre- Engineering for Renewable Energy and degrees have been renewed: Education registrations for first choice rose by about Energy Efficiency. Also Gender Studies Policies for Global Development 2% and the number of places assigned was launched this year as a UAB-specific (GLOBED), once again coordinated by for first choice by 4.4% but the biggest degree. Next year the same degree will the UAB, Leading International rise was in the number of registrations. be offered as an official bachelor’s degree Vaccinology Education (LIVE+), Models First time registrations in the UAB centres with the title Sociocultural Gender and Methods in Quantitative Economics rose by around 7% from 6,584 students Studies. (QEM2018) and EUROPHOTONICS.
12 Annual report for the 2018-2019 academic year Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona Postgraduate programmes and students Students
Programmes Women Men Total Highlight
Official postgraduate (2018-2019) Three graduates from the UAB Master’s degrees in UAB centres 110 1.764 1.228 2.992 received the Graduation Prize
Master’s degrees in attached centres 19 503 294 797 from the Ministry
PhDs 68 2.633 2.199 4.832 The Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities has TOTAL 197 4.900 3.721 8.621 awarded the Graduation Prize ) UAB-specific postgraduate (2017-2018 to three former students of the UAB-specific Master’s degrees 145 1.862 707 2.569 UAB in recognition of their Postgraduate diplomas 84 871 332 1.203 academic excellence. The former students were David Specialisation courses 174 1.420 706 2.126 Aguilera who graduated in TOTAL 403 4.153 1.745 5.898 Humanities (second prize), Juan Manuel Agulló, who graduated in Biomedical Sciences (third prize) and Antonio García Galán, Continuing education who graduated in Business More than a million students In the area of continuing education, the Management and Administration registered on MOOC courses Graduate School has begun a process of (third prize). All three finished offered by the UAB in six years applying to UAB-specific postgraduate their Bachelor’s degrees during and continuing education courses The MOOCs taught by the UAB the 2014-2015 academic year. measures to ensure quality that is though the world-renowned Coursera comparable with the official qualifications. platform que la UAB have attracted It has also been working to highlight the more than a million registrations. The importance of the offer of the courses on UAB is among the leading universities offer and reinforce the relationship with in the number of students in Coursera, society and the business fabric. together with the best universities in the world. The UAB is also the second At the end of March the Graduate School university to offer courses in Spanish, organised the annual meeting of the behind the Universidad Nacional University Network of Graduate and Autónoma de Mexico (UNAM). This 17th annual meeting of the Permanent Education Schools which year the UAB and the UNAM RUEPEP at the UAB discussed current challenges in established a general agreement for postgraduate and continuing education. On 28 and 29 March the the production and diffusion of Graduate School of the UAB The Board of Trustees of the UAB has MOOCs and undertook to develop an organised the annual meeting of launched a discount scheme of 10% on Iberoamerican University MOOC the University Network of the price of Master’s degrees and Space (EMIU) to promote collaboration Graduate and Permanent postgraduate diplomas for students who between the Iberoamerican higher Education Schools University have already qualified at the UAB and education institutions present on the (RUEPEP). Under the title form part of the . This offer form part of Coursera platform. the task of the UAB Alumni Foundation “Quality and Employability: The UAB was a pioneer in to promote lifelong learning and it aims current challenges in programming the MOOC courses six to contribute to the loyalty of UAB students postgraduate and continuing years ago and during that time it has and make the university’s courses more education studies” the delegates launched over forty courses. This year visible. discussed quality certification, the UAB introduced a dozen new good practice, employability and In 2017-2018 the Graduate School MOOCs of which five form part of the the social impact of managed more than 400 UAB-specific specialisation programme “Big Data postgraduate and continuing Master’s degrees and continuing – Practical Use”, and is the first education courses. On 27 March education courses improving job Coursera programme specifically the general assembly of the opportunities for the almost 6,000 people centred on big data to be taught in RUAPEP took place at the Casa who took courses this year. Spanish. The programme was de la Convalescència in presented during the meeting with the Barcelona. UNAM which took place on 5 and 6 November to celebrate the third anniversary of Coursera in Spanish.
13 ICTA-UAB coordinate a new Erasmus+ project ICTA-UAB has received around a million euros in Erasmus+ funding to coordinate the Edu-BioMed project (Capacity Building for Higher Education and Applied Research in UNESCO’s Mediterranean Biosphere Reserves), which is planned to last three years. The main aim of the project, which is coordinated by the Conservation, Biodiversity and Global Change Research Group of ICTA-UAB, is to strengthen and improve academic activity in four higher education institutions, two of them Moroccan and two Lebanese, in the context of Mediterranean Biosphere Reserves, in collaboration with the main agents involved and with the support of the public administrations and European partners.
International educational projects
The UAB is promoting the participation Initiatives for policy innovation: Social of its teaching staff in international calls Inclusion through Education, Training and for educational projects and offering Youth two proposals were selected, one support to the projects accepted. As part of which is coordinated by the of the different European calls for Department of Applied Pedagogy. Finally, educational projects and international the Jean Monnet Activities competitions cooperation, in 2018 the UAB participated awarded a Jean Monnet Chair in widely with successful results and 24 European Policies to Ana Mar The UAB and the Taulí Park present a new dual pregraduate course – projects selected. Fernández, a senior lecturer in the Radiology Specialist Department of Political Science and In terms of the calls for the Erasmus+ Public Law. On 28 June the rector of the UAB, programme, the highlight was the Margarita Arboix, and the director of selection of the first Knowledge Alliance Apart from the Erasmus+ competitions, the Taulí Park Health Corporation, Joan of the UAB, Precision Pathobiology for the UAB also obtained grants for the Martí, presented the new dual Disease Models (PATHBIO), international cooperation project pregraduate course Radiology coordinated by Jesús Ruberte of the EuropeAid in China; for a project for the Specialist, which the two institution CBATEG and the Faculty of Veterinary European Documentation Centre will offer jointly from the 2019-2020 Medicine. (Libraries Service) of the General Direction academic year. of the European Commission; and a Also selected was a new Erasmus This is the first university course for project from the Department of Translation radiology technicians to be offered in Mundus Master’s degree, Children’s and Interpreting after a call by the General Spain. The training is aimed at working Literature, Media and Culture (CLMC), Direction for Interpreting of the European radiologists and young people with a which the faculty of Education will offer Commission. professional training qualification in the from the 2019-2020 academic year, and field for the purpose of improving the four others were renewed. qualification, employability and The international cooperation competition personal development. Nursing and physiotherapy graduates may also Capacity Building in the field of Higher apply. Education, selected two new projects: Edu-Biomed, coordinated by the ICTA Dual pregraduate courses are the new and CONSENS, with the participation of professional training courses offered by the UAB, and the first to be offered the Department of Geology and the among the Catalan universities. These Faculty of Economics and Business. The are university-specific qualifications call attracting the greatest participation aimed at young people from sixth form and most projects was the Strategic or vocational training courses who Partnerships in the field of Education, have not yet obtained a degree or Training and Youth, with ten projects professional experience. Last year the selected, five in the area of higher first of the UAB dual pregraduate education with a proposal from the courses was launched: Specialist in Faculty of Translation and Interpreting, Information Systems in Local three in the area of school education and Government, with joint responsibility by Diputació de Barcelona and the two in the area of youth. In the calls for local governments.
14 Annual report for the 2018-2019 academic year Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona Highlight The Employability Service participates in the Youth Employment Fair in Barcelona The Employability Service participates in the Youth Employment Fair, which took place in Barcelona on 21 and 22 March. On the stand of the Interuniversity Council of Catalonia there was a team from the Employability Service of the UAB specialised in careers guidance who UAB Challenges innovation attended some thirty people, giving them workshops success information about job opportunities and This year has seen two session resources offered by the UAB. of the disruptive innovation workshops UAB Challenges, one Employability and on 10 October and the other on entrepreneurship 12 march. Aimed at UAB undergraduate students, the The Employability Service offers advice workshops are run by Xavier to students and graduates who are in the Verdaguer, the founder of the Imagine Creativity Center and are process of professional development aimed to generate ideas to resolve through a series of careers activities and some of the challenges set out in the promotion of entrepreneurship and the objectives for sustainable different job-search resources. development and which can be In the 2018-2019 academic year it applied on the UAB campus. The Innovate in Social published 2,319 job and work placement Participants are organised in Entrepreneurship Space (EINES) offers and managed 1,921 agreements. multidisciplinary teams, made up is created There were also 140 group activities of students from different faculties according to the particular nature attended by 4,349 people and 1,249 In a meeting chaired by the rector of of the challenge. An expert jury individual careers guidance activities. the UAB Margarita Arboix on 27 March, the UAB presented the selects the four winning teams, A total of 282 students were able to do Innovate in Social Entrepreneurship for each challenge. These teams work placement on the Erasmus+ and receive a certificate and are able Space (EINES, at the Faculty of UAB Work Placements programmes both to go on to take part in the Economics and Business. Also in and outside Europe. generation of ideas programme present were representatives of local STARTUP LAB UAB, where they The programme for UAB Emprèn and regional councils, social agents receive guidance and support to entrepreneurship offers a series of and other organisations connected carry out their own projects or to initiatives and activities to promote the with the UAB. make an initial prototype or proof entrepreneurial spirit of students and The objective of this new space is to of concept. graduates in a cross-cutting stimulate and offer support to multidisciplinary manner. Among the Three of the four winning entrepreneurship and social activities to highlight were the UAB teams in the STARTUP LAB innovation by promoting synergies Challenges innovation workshops, the UAB competition in 2019 between the UAB and the social and STARTUP LAB UAB competition and started out in the UAB productive environment. One of the Challenges workshops the course on Social and Collaborative three lines of action will be research Entrepreneurship, with the collaboration On 25 April the final of the and transfer linked to the region with of the UAB Research Park and the entrepreneurship competition a strong social impact. Training support of the UAB Board of Trustees. STARTUP LAB UAB took place involves the generation of a profile as part of the MEMEnginy of people who are qualified in the technology fair. This year it specific area of social innovation by served to address projects to means of a new professionalising overcome social and Master`s degree. The project plans environmental challenges based for the creation of a chair in social on the objectives for sustainable entrepreneurship and a professional development and shared with work placement bank for the UAB Challenges workshops event. The jury identified four postgraduate students offering winning projects, three of which positions linked to social change were presented by teams who both in the public administration and had taken part in the UAB in not-for-profit organisations. Challenges workshop. 15 1st Prize for Teaching Excellence The Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona has awarded the first Prize for Teaching Excellence which was created in recognition of teaching activity by our teaching and research staff and constant improvement in university teaching. Prof. Sònia Parella of the Department of Sociology received the award and Prof. Agustí Reventos of the Department of Mathematics received recognition for his Outstanding Teaching Career. The awards took place on 22 May in the Main lecture Theatre of the Faculty of Law as part of this year’s Teaching Innovation Seminar.
Teaching quality and innovation
During 2018 work was carried out to five PhD programmes receiving make progress in the institutional favourable accreditation. The doctoral accreditation of UAB Centres. The first studies programme in Economic Analysis phase of this process consists in certifying received favourable accreditation on the th the cross-cutting teaching quality path to excellence. 12 processes at the UAB. The first review in Europe in the pilot edition of the Student satisfaction surveys for the 2017- of this has been carried out by the Internal European Teaching Ranking 2018 academic year were planned, Quality Guarantee System of the UAB. managed and the results published for In parallel a specific training route has the semesterly surveys evaluating been offered to centre quality managers teaching activity on the Bachelor’s and on different teaching quality processes. Master’s degrees, with total response Administration and Services staff have from almost 6,500 students, and also had access to the training activities evaluation of more than 3,000 Bachelor’s in this area. Also, in 2019 the accreditation and Master’s degree subjects to which process began for three centres: the 7,000 students responded, and a Faculty of Communication; the Faculty satisfaction survey for graduates of of Arts and Humanities and the Faculty Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in 2017- of Psychology. The Archaeology and 2018. Also, for the first time there was a Palaeontology Campus receives It is also worth mentioning that this year satisfaction survey for PhD thesis the Vicens Vives Prize the Quality Committee of the UAB was supervisors for those theses that were approved as the committee delegated presented in the 2017-2018 academic The Government of Catalonia has by the Governing Council. The Quality year. The UAB also took part in the Via awarded the Jaume Vicens Vives Committee is a requisite in the process Universitària survey sent out by the Vives Prize 2018 for university teaching of institutional accreditation since it is University Network with around 3,200 quality to the Archaeology and the body that approves the general and students from the UAB responding to the Palaeontology Campus of the UAB cross-cutting processes in the whole of survey. in the group category. The prize, the UAB. The committee has The evaluation of teaching activity which was awarded on 6 September competences over the quality promotion corresponding to the 2018 process as part of the opening ceremony for and guarantees and continual involved the evaluation of 312 the University of Catalonia, improvement in all areas of the university: applications for a teaching premium of teaching, research and management. recognises the important work carried which 95.5% were successful. out to consolidate the archaeological In applying the Internal Quality Guarantee In terms of teacher training and innovation sites as a teaching and research System work has been carried out to the initiatives that emerged from the space to promote the regional assess the creation, modification and university’s innovation projects have accreditation of Bachelor’s, Master’s and heritage and act as a pole for continued to receive support. This year doctoral degrees. In particular, knowledge transfer. 13 projects were selected. Support has preparation has been done for the also continued for the training of lecturers The Archaeology and Palaeontology creation of five Bachelor’s degrees, through 69 training activities designed Campus of the UAB was also chosen thirteen Master’s degrees and one for both new and continuing lecturers. in 2018 as an area of good practice specialisation course and the 1,800 lecturers took part in 30 tailor made by the Association of Catalan Public accreditation process for the first six training activities. Universities (ACUP), in the area of doctoral studies programmes to undergo work outside the classroom. the process has been completed with
16 Annual report for the 2018-2019 academic year Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona Nine faculties have taken part in the session on language competences for AIDA Programme for teaching in the teaching in English, session on English language methodological innovation for classes taught Highlight The 2018 2019 academic year was the in a third language and observation and second year of the Grant Programme for evaluation sessions. There are now nine the Intensification of Teaching in English faculties that have taken part in the (AIDA), and enjoyed a high level of programme with a high level of success and participation by lecturers who carried out satisfaction. Also, an agreement was signed the training activities over the year and took with the Fulbright Commission to have a advantage of the accreditation for their level Fulbright scholar in one of the departments of teaching in English which is organised of the UAB in 2020-2021. by the Language Service of the UAB. The UABers are at the centre programme continued to include training of orientation and promotion activities
The UAB has launched a promotion campaign where the stars are the students. Four Digital teaching support Language Service students from different faculties have provided the smiling face After the completion last year of the move In 2018-2019 there were 7,125 enrolments of the UAB on the trams and of the Online Campus to a Moodle-based for language courses offered within the buses of Barcelona, the platform, this year has consolidated its UAB Idiomes programme. advertising boards in the use and it has become a central tools for Courses included in the AIDA Programme Ferrocarrils railway stations and teaching and learning at the UAB. for improving the use of English in teaching on the campus and on online Specifically, more than 6,000 teaching were offered for the second year with the media banners with bigger spaces have been activated linked to participation of 70 teaching and research audiences. 3,797 subjects, representing 84% of all staff. Apart from these classroom-based For the first time, the distributed subjects and in some centres almost courses there were also 3,558 new new catalogues with the offer 95% of subjects are activated. registration for the MOOC “English for of Bachelor’s degree courses As well as continuing to update versions Teaching Purposes”, offered on the at the Open Days, at the of the campus, this year has seen the Coursera platform. It should also be pointed beginning of February. Until now start of an analytics process which, in out that this year, for the first time, the future students had to wait until the first phase, aims to see who the Language Service took part in the March to get the catalogues from current users are in online teaching at International Summer School offering the Education Fair. Also, the the UAB. This information will enable us classes in Spanish for foreigners. website and paper catalogues have been renewed with a more to offer functions which meet the needs For language assessment and certification, attractive design and new of the teaching staff more closely and ACLES accredited the C2 English exams content, such as why do one show centres what kind of online use is making the UAB the only university in Spain degree rather than another and made in the teaching of their courses. At to obtain the CertAcles seal for the highest why do a degree at the UAB, the same time it helps to set up actions level exams within the Common European explained by lecturers from each aimed at a deeper insight into the concept Framework of Reference for Languages of learning analytics which the university of the courses. On the website scale. there are also testimonies from considers will be key in the coming years. The current Plan for Languages of the students talking about their In terms of new functions the new version UAB published five calls for grant experiences and new videos with which is hoped will be available to applications to promote competence in a two-minute presentation of teaching staff in the 2019-2020 academic third languages in the university community each degree course by students, year and will include the possibility of and the use of English as a working teaching staff and alumni. including short explanatory videos on the language, resulting in a total of 24 grants The UABers have been at the platform, seen as an improvement in the awarded. Also, the Language Service centre of a long list of activities teaching activity and a boost for existing offered 90 grants to UAB students taking in the Visit the UAB communication tools. language courses there, meaning a 50% programme, from the Open Classroom equipment this year has been reduction in the cost of enrolment. Days to the Family Dyas, the Education Fair and a series of replaced in six faculties by mini PCs. A Other language evaluation and promotion local, national and international total of 174 have been installed. activities also continued this year as well fairs, Secondary School Visits as support for international projection. and Campus Visits and another long list of activities carried out in the centres of the UAB or in attached centres.
17 Research and transfer of knowledge and technology
The strategy for the international project of research at the UAB has contributed to improving the securing of resources On 6 July the grants were awarded for and reinforcing the attraction of the new call for Proof of Concept grants international talent. at the UAB.
The importance of research group activity It is important to point out that with 53 New call for Proof of Concept grant at the UAB and the centres and institutes million Euros obtained from the Horizon applications linked to the UAB Sphere has been 2020 programme, the UAB is among the On 2 July the grants were awarded to decisive for obtaining greater resources leaders in Spain in terms of returns from successful applicants of the new UAB in 2018. Thanks to projects with high the programme. Also this year six new Proof of Concept awards. Four UAB scientific, technological and social impact European Research Council grants have projects received grants worth 50,000 which largely benefit the cross-cutting been obtained, bringing the total number Euros to carry out studies and viability and interdisciplinary nature of the campus of grants obtained by the UAB and the tests of their research results and therefore facilitate their transfer to the and participation in research networks, UAB Sphere to 41 since the creation market. the UAB has increased its resources for of the ERC. research and transfer by 12%. The successful projects for this first In terms of support for the research call for applications are as follows: Through the UAB Sphere, the university groups, this year criteria for prioritising • “Inhibitors for the repair of DNA damage has given incentive and recognition to the research support employees have for cancer therapy” led by Jordi the collaboration between research been approved, introducing quality Surrallés, researcher in the Department groups and has promoted the creation parameters in the distribution of the of Genetics and Microbiology. of strategic research communities employees among the recognised UAB • “Biotechnological production of a plant (COREs) with the aim of addressing the research groups. Also approved were the chitinase with strong insecticide big social challenges. This year the CORE regulations for the recognition of activity” led by Soledad Martos, in Education and Employability was administrative staff research activities researcher in the Department of Animal launched. and PhD services. Biology, Plant Biology and Ecology. • “Evaluation of the capacity of The consolidation of a support structure In the areas of transfer of technology and SynuClean-D to prevent for the management of European projects knowledge, this year the UAB has neurodegeneration in multiple system and the launch of mechanisms for launched the new Proof of Concept atrophy” led by Salvador Ventura, capturing and incorporating international grants. The UAB Research Park has also researcher at the Institute of talent have been two of the key elements offered support for innovative projects Biotechnology and Biomedicine (IBB) in the strategy for international projection and the creation of spin-off companies. of the Department of Biochemistry and of research at the UAB. This year has In terms of research results, in 2018 the Molecular Biology. seen the second Talent Programme for UAB maintained its leadership in • “Improvement of a system to control capturing and retaining research talent, applications to the European Patent the firmness of curd in cheese for which the Governing Council has Office. production”, led by Manuel Castillo, agreed to reserve two places from the researcher in the Department of Animal During this academic year the UAB has Teaching and Research Staff replacement and Food Science. worked together with Eurecat and the programme in 2019 to be able to offer The Proof of Concept grants at the Ambit B30 association to promote the permanent places to researchers with a UAB have the support of the B30 Hub and attract new R&D European Research Council project. Secretariat of Universities and organisations to this strategic alliance. Research of the Department of Business and Knowledge of the Government of Catalonia and are co- financed by the European Regional Development Fund.
18 Annual report for the 2018-2019 academic year Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona 05 Highlight 6 Albert Quintana awarded an European Research Council grants ERC Proof of Concept grant to researchers from the UAB and UAB Researcher at the institute of Sphere (2018-2019) Neurosciences of the UAB, Albert Quintana, has received a Proof of Concept grant from the Research funding by broad areas, 2018 European Research Council in the 2018 call for applications. He Public administration 52% will use the grant to continue with a line of research into resistance Companies 22% to antibiotics, which is derived European administration 18% from the “NEUROMITO: Elucidating neuronal susceptibility IPSFL 2% to mitochondrial disease” project, Higher education / universities 1% of which he is also the PI. That Other 10% project was awarded an ERC Starting Grant in 2014. Total: 78,889,925 Euros. Joan Llull receives an ERC Starting Grant Joan Llull, associate lecturer in the Department of Economics and Economic History of the UAB and researcher in the Markets, Organizations and Research funding by type, 2018 Votes in Economics Foundation (MOVE), has obtained a Starting Projects, groups and networks 35% Grant from the European Research Council to carry out Agreements and service provision 30% the project DYMOLANO International grants 16% “Dynamic Modelling of Labor
Grants 9% Mobility and Human Capital Accumulation”, which analyses Specific funding 3% the implications of geographical New personnel 3% mobility in the accumulation of human capital. Other funding 1%
Total: 78,889,925 Euros. Gara Villalba obtains an ERC Consolidator Grant Gara Villalba, researcher at the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (ICTA-UAB) i of the Department of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering has been awarded a Consolidator Grant from the European Research Council for the project “Analysis of integrated systems of urban vegetation and agriculture” (URBAG). This grant will also enable him to set up the laboratory “Integrated metabolic and atmospheric research for urban sustainability”.
19 10th anniversary of the MELISSA Pilot Plant On 4 April the MELISSA Pilot Plant celebrated its 10th anniversary by analysing the results it has obtained. This second generation laboratory, which forms part of the MELISSA project of the European Space Agency, develops technologies for the automatic supply of water, oxygen and food for long-haul space mission crew.
Research centres
During the 2018-2019 academic year the Finally, the pharmaceutical company Governing Council approved the setting Chiesi Espanya and the UAB have signed up of the Institute for Sports Research an agreement for the creation of the from the former Centre for Olympic INSPIRA-UAB Chair which will be Studies and Sport of the UAB. This assigned to the Department of medicine agreement recognises the importance of of the UAB. This union between the UAB the scientific activity carried out by the and the pharmaceutical company will centre and research groups of the UAB make it easier to promote translational On 15 November the new building into question related to sporting activity. and clinical research into common chronic of the Sant Pau Research Institute respiratory diseases, and into the Also approved this year was the Centre was opened. This research centre is medicinal gases and electromedicine for for Study and Research in attached to the UAB and the new research into pneumology. It will also Entrepreneurship and Social research building concentrates all increase the pre- and post-graduate Innovation (CREIS). This new centre the human and material resources training available to health professionals aims to provide in-depth analysis of dedicated to scientific research and in respiratory medicine and will contribute entrepreneurship and social innovation complementary support services to the dissemination of information about both in terms of an understanding of the covering the main needs of respiratory health among the public phenomenon and the study methodology biomedicine. The new building will at large. and conceptual frameworks used, as well also act as a pole for attracting other as their practical implications. At the research groups and organisations same time, CREIS transfers knowledge thereby providing added value to the to associations, social companies, public lines of research carried out at the administrations and, in general, to the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau. different social agents related to the world of entrepreneurship and social innovation. To facilitate scientific interaction and cooperation among the centres that make up the UAB Sphere, this year the Governing Council approved recognition On 5 October the Josep Carreras Foundation opened the new centre of the research group Genic Therapy of the for the Nervous System of the Vall Research Institute against at the ICO-Germans d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) as Leukaemia a unit associated to the Institute of Trias i Pujol-UAB campus in Neurosciences of the UAB. Badalona. This centre (CERCA) which is affiliated to the UAB covers lines of study that are principally for leukaemia but also other cancers of the blood and carries out research which could benefit all haematological patients.
20 Annual report for the 2018-2019 academic year Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona Highlight
Antoni Rosell-Melé receives an ERC Advanced Grant Antoni Rosell-Melé, a researcher at the ICTA-UAB, has been awarded an ERC Advanced Grant for the project “New geochemical approach to the reconstruction of tropical paleoatmospheric dynamics” 541 (PALADYN), the aim of which is theses read (2017-2018) to investigate the natural range of variability in the Hadley circulation during past episodes of extreme heat and cold. Doctoral studies Jordi Sort receives a Proof of During the 2018-2019 academic year the Concept grant from the ERC new model of financing PhD programmes Jordi Sort, an ICREA researcher was implemented and this has allowed in the Department of Physics at doctoral studies programmes which cut the UAB has been awarded a across disciplines, managed by the School Proof of Concept grant from the for Doctoral Studies and the departments. European Research Council in With 541 theses read in 2017-2018, 26% the 2019 competition for the of them with the international research project “MAGIC-SWITCH: component, the 68 PhD programmes Magnetic Switch Controlled with Award of PhD certificates and available at the UAB have an incredibly Voltage - Towards a Secure and prizes and for outstanding PhD powerful attraction for postgraduate Energy-Efficient Magnetic theses Device”, which is the result of students in all areas of knowledge. On 16 December and 17 May the research that he started in 2014 It is also important to mention that during thanks to the receipt of an ERC UAB held PhD graduation 2017-2018 ten theses were read at the Consolidator Grant. ceremonies and awarded prizes for UAB which were inscribed in the the most outstanding doctoral theses Also, Teresa Puig, a researcher at programme of industrial PhD degrees. of the year. The first ceremony was the ICMAB-CSIC institute located hosted by Spanish National Research on the UAB campus obtained a Proof of Concept grant for the Council research professor at the IMPACT project “Industrial Institute of Space Studies of manufacturing process for a high Catalonia, Emili Elizade, who gave a temperature superconducting talk on “The Expanding Universe: coated conductors technology”. Edwin Hubble, Georges Lemaître and Vesto Slipher”. In the second ceremony Joan Gómez Pallarès, director general of research in the Department of Business and Míriam Rosás, a PhD candidate on the Knowledge gave the talk “Are there fish in the water?”. Advanced Immunology programme won Salvador Ventura receives a the second year of the Thesis in 4 minutes There as well as the welcoming event grant from the CaixaImpulse competition for the presentation of her for first year PhD students, this year programme thesis AIDS, the final twist of the knife? there was also a meeting of all Prof. Salvador Ventura, a And she represented the UAB in the final candidates of the UAB with the aim researcher at the Institute of which was held at the Catalan Foundation of promoting good relations among Biotechnology and Biomedicine for Research and innovation. the students and sharing concerns (IBB) of the UAB and professor in and expectations. the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, has received a grant from the CaixaImpulse programme if the ”la Caixa” Social Projects for the project “SynuClean-D. A new compound to cure Parkinson’s Disease”. 21 Strategic research communities UAB Open Labs
The strategic research communities the Smart and Sustainable Cities CORE The UAB wants its campus to become (CORE) of the UAB are research networks was chosen as finalist among 260 a space for innovation and demonstration generating knowledge focussed on proposals submitted to the European of new technologies and methodologies, strategic challenges and made up of the Digital Skills for the Labour Force Awards. both for the research community and for research groups and centres of the UAB the production and social environment. and the UAB Sphere. As a result of this With that objective in mind, during 2018- strategic conception, the UAB has three 2019 progress has been made in the active COREs (Smart and Sustainable launch of the Open labs network, which Cities, Cultural Heritage and Mental is made up of labs of the UAB and others Health). in collaboration with regional agents. Among the most important activities Specifically this year refurbishment work carried out this year was the Observatory New CORE in Education and was carried out on the first two UAB for Tourism and Heritage of the UAB and Employability Labs: the Design Lab, located in the School of Engineering and the Digital the CORE in Cultural Heritage which In a move to meet the challenges of Lab, situated in the Humanities library. organised and the 1st Enotourism and society in terms of education and Cultural Heritage Seminar to analyse the employability, the UAB has created The Centre for Computer Vision and the current state of the enotourism sector the new Education and Employability UAB this year launched the AIExperiment. and make the existing relationship CORE, whose main objective is to This is a citizen project on artificial between enotourism and cultural heritage, make research in these fields more intelligence and is based in the Library using the counties of the Vallès area as visible and facilitate the transfer of Living Lab of the Miquel Batllori in a case study. The Cultural Heritage CORE results from this research in the Volpelleres, Sant Cugat del Vallès. This also took part in the participative process region. Several of the researcher in space is aimed at users and allowed for the creation of the Olot Crater Space. this new CORE took part this year in experimentation with new interactions The CORE for Mental Health and the the production of the Plan for Human between technology and culture which Department of Clinical Psychology and Rights of Catalonia, coordinated by would normally be inaccessible to a Health of the UAN jointly organised the the Bofill Foundation, and offering varied, non-specialist broader public. 8th Perinatal Mental Health Seminar of proposals in the area of the right to the Spanish Marcé Society (MARES) education. The Education and which is involved in research into the Employability CORE of the UAB also mental health of women during pregnancy organised a session to bring together and after childbirth, as well as the health researchers working on school of their babies. dropout and regional agencies promoting projects in this area to Finally the CORE for Smart and incentivise transfer and facilitate Sustainable Cities co-organised a possible collaborations between the participation process jointly with Sabadell university, the administration and City Council to decide on the design and businesses. organisation of new Makerspaces in Sabadell. Also, the Digital&Green Skills Vallès programme led by the UAB and
22 Annual report for the 2018-2019 academic year Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona The commitment of the UAB to Highlight publishing scientific knowledge in open format was recognised this year with its inclusion as a strategic partner of the Public Knowledge Project, which promotes the dissemination of knowledge without social, cultural and 12 ICREA Acadèmia distinctions economic restrictions. From 22 to 28 awarded to UAB researchers October the UAB Libraries Service organised several activities as part of On 30 April the award ceremony for the 45 distinctions in the 2018 ICREA International Open Access Week. Acadèmia programme took place at the Palace of the Government of Catalonia, 12 of which were awarded to UAB researchers. Research support The ICREA Acadèmia award holders services from the UAB in 2018 were: Margarita León Borja, from the Department of Political Science and Public Law and In terms of scientific and technical the institute of Government and services at the UAB, this year has seem Public Policy (IGOP); David Urbano, the launch of the new Psychology and from the Department of Business; Speech Therapy Service. This is a Esperança Bielsa, from the laboratory of services of the Faculty of Department of Sociology; Agustí Psychology which covers all areas of Nieto-Galan, from the Department of Philosophy and the Centre for psychology and speech therapy. The the History of Science (CEHIC); objective is to promote the transfer of David Roas, from the Department knowledge and services to society of Spanish Studies; Javier Rodrigo through three major lines of action: Guidelines for scientific journals Sánchez, from the Department of strategic project management, at the UAB Modern and Contemporary History; Joaquim Matias, from the professional placements and assistance. The Governing Council approved the Department of Physics; Antonio M. Another highlight was the award by Guidelines for scientific journals at López Peña, from the Department AENOR of ISO 9001:2015 certification the UAB, which aim to improve of the Computational Science and the Computer Vision Centre (CVC); to the Vectors Production Unit (UPV). quality standards for scientific Ferran Martín, from the Department journals and promote recognition The UPV is a mixed technological of Electronic Engineering; Fàtima platform of the UAB and the Vall d’Hebron within academic and scientific areas. Bosch, from the Department of Research Institute created in 2005 and The Guidelines establish the basic Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; specialising in the production of vectors criteria to be fulfilled by the UAB Jordi Surrallés, from the Department of Genetics and Microbiology, and for gene therapy for public and private journals, both UAB-published and Antonio Villaverde, from the Institute co-published, regulating the function institutions around the world. of Biotechnology and Biomedicine and defining the requirements that This year the Libraries Service began (IBB). must be satisfied to gain access to working on a new Strategic Plan 2019- The TV3 Marathon fundraiser institutional support and resources. 2022 and has updated its catalogue of to finance two UAB projects on services. The Strategic Plan 2015-2018 Also, in accordance with the changes infectious illnesses was finalised with a large number of the that have taken place in recent years The projects “Immunotherapy objectives having been achieved. Also in the publication and dissemination against ESKAPE pathogens based this year, the collection of digital of scientific research in general and on iron-capturing bacterial proteins”, coordinated by Susana monographs has continued to expand, scientific journals in particular, the Campoy and Jordi Barbé of the guidelines approved also promote covering different areas, and the first Department of Genetics and eleven datasets have been included online open access publication. The Microbiology and “Selective in the DDD. service hosts 45 of the 57 journals recognition of non-coding RNA published by the UAB. and the search for new therapeutic Finally, it is important to highlight that for targets to combat antibiotic the second year running the UAB has resistant bacterial infections”, achieved first place in the library efficiency directed by Ester Boix of the ranking of Spanish university libraries Department of Biochemistry and (SECABA-Rank). Molecular Biology. The projects received a total of 275,000 Euros from the money raised by the 2017 Marathon in aid of support for infectious diseases.
23 MitoTreat obtains the prize for the best innovative project in the Generation of Ideas Programme The MitoTreat project has been selected as the nest innovative initiative of the ninth year of the generation of Ideas programme, centred on the biomedical and industrial biotechnology sectors and organised by the UAB Research Park and the Biotechnology Reference network of the Government of Catalonia. The winning project proposes 10 0 the repositioning a of drug which has already The UAB is among the hundred most been approved by the FDA for the treatment innovative universities in Europe of minority mitochondrial disorders. according to Reuters Top 100 (2019).
UAB Research Park
The UAB Research Park has as its In the area of entrepreneurship the Park In terms of company creation, this year mission to carry out technology and has offered the AI4ALL course “Artificial the Park helped to create a technology- knowledge transfer activities, promote Intelligence applied to industry” to based company at the Mathematics entrepreneurial activity through the generate new market ideas in the area Research Centre, developing a small, creation of new research-based of artificial intelligence technology. In portable diagnostic device which can companies and facilitate the interaction conjunction with the UPC and the UB, improve the monitoring efficiency of between research, the business fabric the UAB also organised the programme patients with haematological conditions. and society. From Science to the Market, with the aim It also supported three start-ups which This year, the Research Park has been of promoting entrepreneurship among have joined the network of companies involved in different activities to identify students and graduates of the Master’s in the Park. the needs of society and detect degree or doctoral studies programmes opportunities and trends for the future in who want to put their dissertation or B30 Hub different sectors. That way it will be able thesis to practical use. The UAB Research This year, there has been intensive activity to promote new innovative projects Park also organised the ninth year of the to promote the new B30 Hub. This is an between research groups and centres Generation of Ideas programme, this year alliance between the UAB, the UAB and companies. With this aim in mind centred on the biotechnology and Research Park, Eurecat and the B30 Ambit the Park has organised two laboratories biomedical sectors. It was co-organised association which makes available to for ideas, one on the topic of soft fruit, by the Biotechnology Reference Network society the technological capacity, organised jointly with the Department of (XRB) and sponsored by the ERN, Palex, scientific knowledge, talent and training Agriculture, Farming, Fishing and Food Uriach and Minoryx laboratories and the of the member organisations to meet the of the Government of Catalonia, and the Barcelona Synchrotron Park. Finally, the innovation needs and challenges of other on people’s perception of science Park launched the second year of the companies and institutions. applied to the agro-food sector. Explorer Programme “Young people with ideas” which aims to promote the talent Also, thanks to the collaboration In terms of innovation projects, the UAB and innovate capacity of university agreement signed this year by the Research Park has continued to work to students. organisations associated with the B30 help companies and research staff to find Hub, the foundation has been laid for funding though competitive calls for attracting new R&D agents within the applications to be able to carry out their region to the platform. This year, for R&D projects. It is therefore important to example, the Alba Synchrotron, point out that the park has taken part in ESADECreàpolis and the UPC joined. nine collaborative projects financed by the European Union, two of which it is Throughout the year the B30 Hub also coordinating. The park has also organised seven single-themed innovation managed six innovation projects for meetings to find out the most innovative companies, from which financing was trends in sectors such as food, mobility, obtained though the SME Instrument of bioindustry and big data, among others. the Horizon 2020 programme. A total of more than 650 people took part, coming from areas of business, research centres, hospitals and local government.
24 Annual report for the 2018-2019 academic year Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona Highlight
New members of the B30 Hub This year the B30 Hub platform has included some new research, development and innovation agents ion The UAB joins the FEM Vallès the B30 region. Specifically, this year the platform Alba Synchrotron, ESADECreàpolis and On 20 June the rector of the UAB, the UPC joined. Margarita Arboix, and the chair of FEM Vallès and of Cecot, Antoni Valorisation of research Abad, signed standard form and patents agreement between the UAB and the FEM Vallès FEM Vallès In 2018 the Valorisation and Patents Through this agreement the UAB Office of the UAB received 50 new will participate actively in debates inventions from research groups at the for the launch of projects aimed university. This figure represents a at promoting and improving the consolidation with respect to the previous region, infrastructures and mobility year, when 48 were received. This means in the area occupying the counties that in just two year almost one hundred of Vallès Occidental and Vallès new research results have been Oriental, as well as consolidating presented. It should also be highlighted their strategic position in Catalan Al llarg del curs, el Hub B30 ha organitzat that the average number of inventions territory. set trobades d’innovació monotemàtiques received by the UAB is substantially per conèixer les tendències més higher that the Spanish and European The UAB participates in the innovadores en sectors com l’alimentació, averages. European project on research la mobilitat, la bioindústria o les dades and innovation ecosystems massives (big data), entre d’altres. En By sector, most of the inventions belong total, hi han participat més de 650 to the field of human health, information The UAB is participating as a persones, provinents dels àmbits de and communication technology and member of the SeeRRI project l’empresa, els centres de recerca, els electronics. The other sectors are mainly “Building Self-Sustaining hospitals i l’Administració pública. animal health and welfare and physics Research and Innovation and materials. Ecosystems in Europe through Responsible Research and Also in 2018 the UAB applied for 15 new Innovation”, which is a SWAFS – priority unique patents and, taking into Science with and for Society account the total number of applications project within the Horizon 2020 (priority and international extensions) this programme. The project is led by figure rises to 35. In 2018 the UAB the Nordland Research Institute maintained its leadership in applications in Norway and as well as to the European Patent office and is universities and research centres, seventh in the ranking by states. regional governments and business associations area also taking part. The aim of the project is to move towards a model of more sustainable research and innovation ecosystems. In order to do this three European regions have been selected as case studies each with different smart specialisations, and one of these is the B30.
25 Gene therapy cure for type 2 diabetes The research, which was published in , and obesity in mice was carried out by CBATEG researchers A research team from the UAB led by from the departments Biochemistry and Fàtima Bosch, director of the Centre for Molecular Biology and Animal Health and Biotechnology and Gene Therapy Anatomy of the UAB, and the Online (CBATEG) has managed to cure mice of Biomedical Research Centre (CIBER) for obesity and type 2 diabetes using gene Diabetes and Associated Metabolic therapy. A single dose of a therapeutic Diseases. (CIBERDEM). vector on model mice has cured them of types 2 diabetes and obesity sin no long term side effects.
Research dissemination
AlThroughout the 2018-2019 academic new massive genomic sequencing strategy Finally, among the dissemination year there were 130 campaigns for for preimplantational genetic diagnosis in campaigns for events organised this year, disseminating the research of groups and embryos. highlights include the presentation of an individuals at the UAB, which has translated In the area of environment and ecology, experimental hive to find out why the as 1,750 media impacts, of which 1,479 two studies were carried out on the impact bees are dying and the creation of the were in the press, 151 on the radio and 75 of tourism: one identifying air transport as Besós Observatory to monitor the river on television. the main source of pollution in this sector systems in the basin, a Lope de Vega exhibition, and international conference In terms of international dissemination, 41 in Barcelona and another which concludes on the historical events of 1968, and the press releases were sent to international that rubbish left on the beaches of the recognition of the Creative Europe agencies. The releases published by Mediterranean is three times higher in the programme for a cultural and research AlphaGalileo obtained 7,352 visits by summer. Two other studies were carried project involving the participation of the science correspondents and those out on the effects of climate change on the Bastida project – UAB. published in EurekAlert had a total of 70,928 composition of reefs and the effects of visits by journalists specialising in science urban green spaces on health. in different international media. In technology and experimental science During the year 96 research articles were some of in events was the tenth anniversary published in the e-journal UABDivulga, of the MELISSA Pilot Plant and the which received 146,556 visits. finalisation of the Life Saving-e project for energy self-sufficiency in urban sewage Among the main campaigns, one that plants, a maths law which could predict should be especially mentioned was the mass extinctions in ecosystems and a new discovery of a gene therapy capable of system for measuring quantum curing type 2 diabetes and obesity in mice, Barcelona’s urban vitality entanglement. the identification of a molecule that stops is mapped and reverses neurodegeneration leading In the social sciences, some of the main Researchers from the Department to Parkinson’s disease in animal models, projects were on school dropout in of Geography and the ICTA-UAB a pioneering study to analyse the effects compulsory secondary education by have come up with a new of woods on health, a new methodology immigrant students compared to non- methodology to quantitatively map to quantitatively analyse and map living immigrants, on the increase in precarious and analyse living spaces in cities. spaces in cities, the results of a report on employment situation among young people This is the first study to synthesise the workings of the Legal system and work over the last ten years, and on the effects and apply the theoretical ideas of on the diet and burials of dogs in the of audio-visuals on audience attention and Jane Jacobs on the shaping of Neolithic period. the creation of a platform giving visibility modern cities to ensure that there to the microvillages of Catalonia. In the area of bioscience and health is life on the streets. This has been sciences there were a number of Several dissemination campaigns were developed using data from the city dissemination campaigns among which carried out in the area of humanities such of Barcelona and its conurbation. were a blood biomarker to diagnose early as several studies on the area covered by Researchers Xavier Delclòs and stage Alzheimer’s disease , a project to mountain pines 50,000 years ago, ancestry Carme Miralles, from the Department slow down the progression of amyotrophic that survived the ice age on the Iberian of Geography have used census and lateral sclerosis, primary observations of Peninsula, cave paintings located at higher registry sources as well as GIS to genetic and physiological damage in altitudes and on the finding of human create an index for analysis using mussels caused by microplastics, a new remains from the Bronze Age in the six variables which they have called process of resistance to bacteria, and a Pyrenees. JANE to work on.
26 Annual report for the 2018-2019 academic year Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona looked at the most numerous ancient cases of the symbolic sacrifice and burial of dogs in Catalonia. The research Highlight indicates that the Neolithic people fed the dogs a mixed diet very similar to their own, including cereals and vegetables. The remains of 26 dogs found in funeral structures from four archaeological sites The burial of dogs was a common and necropolises in the province of funeral ritual in the north-east of the Barcelona were studied, and isotopic Iberian Peninsula 6,000 years ago analysis was carried out on eight of them. NanoEduca receives the National Scientific This study, led by researchers from the Communication Prize UAB and the University of Barcelona has The Government of Catalonia and the Catalan Foundation for Research and Innovation (FCRi) The UAB in the university have awarded the 2018 National rankings Scientific Communication Prize to the NanoEduca programme. This The impact of the results of research is a joint initiative of the , the activity by the UAB research groups has Catalan Institute for Nanoscience been a major factor in consolidating the and Nanotechnology (ICN2) and UAB among the top 200 universities in the Centre for Specific Teaching the world. In the 2018 Times Higher Resources for Support to Education World University Rankings Educational Innovation and the UAB rose two places to occupy 145th Research (CESIRE), and aims to position in the world and 93rd position training secondary school teachers in terms of research impact factor. The in nanoscience and A pioneering study analyses the UAB also improved its position in this nanotechnology and create effects of woodland on human year’s QS World University Rankings practical learning materials which health and is currently 188th in the world. can be used in the classroom. A group of volunteers has taken part In terms of the classification by area, the in an experimental study by the New Guide to Experts UAB is among the top hundred best ICTA-UAB to analyse the potential at the UAB universities in the world in nine of the effect of woodland on human health. disciplines on the QS World University The Universitat Autònoma de The research brought scientific Ranking by Subject and among the Barcelona has released the new evidence of the effects of a hundred best in the world in the areas of Guide to Experts at the UAB. The woodland walks for emotional and health and medicine and education in guide is available in Catalan, physical health. Specifically the study the Times Higher Education Subject Spanish and English and allows analysed the therapeutic potential Ranking. The UAB also occupies once you to look up expert researchers of woodland for human wellbeing again nine position worldwide in the area in certain fields using key worlds analysing the interaction of chemical of veterinary science and is among the or the name of the researcher in components generated by a large hundred best in the world in the areas of question. The results give a brief part of the vegetation with people’s agricultural science, geography, description of the field of expertise, health. the key words identifying their economics and biotechnology according activity and the department or The research forms part of the to the Shanghai Academic Ranking of area in which they are based, project “Healthy woodland for a World Universities. healthy society” carried out by the alongside contact information and ICTA-UAB and the Centre for a link to their ORCID file with further details of their academic Ecological Research and Forestry and research activity. Applications (CREAF) and sponsored by the ”la Caixa” Bank Foundation with the collaboration of the AIDS Research Institute, IrsiCaixa, Sant Celoni Hospital and Duet Group. 145 th in the world in the Times Higher Education ranking
27 International projection
The ECIU University project, in which the UAB participates, was one of the 17 projects selected in the European competition to build university alliances 56 offering innovations in teaching, mobility new agreements with international and a European campus. institutions
The activity of the UAB in the international science and technology, among others. between the Faculty of Medicine and the setting has facilitated the signing of nine Examples are the International University of Leiden. A new specific new collaboration and exchange University of Kirgizstan, the University collaboration agreement was also signed agreements and participation in of Technology of Malaysia, and different with the Arab Academy of Science, international university networks and Latin American universities. In terms of Technology and Marine Transport in consortia. English-speaking universities there were Egypt, linked to the Arab League, to The ECIU University project presented visits by a delegation of the University collaborate mainly in the accreditation, by the universities of the European of Essex (UK), to discuss the YERUN supervision and accompaniment of the Consortium of Innovative Universities, network and also future collaborations launch of new degrees in Law, Computer was one of 17 projects selected in the in doctoral studies following Brexit, and Engineering and Communication. European competition to build university the Institute of Technology of Georgia New exchange agreements were signed alliances offering innovations in teaching (USA). between students of the Faculty of law and mobility and a European campus. International trips were make twice to and different Latin American universities Also this year the Barcelona headquarters Egypt to establish institutional relations from the Sui Iuris network, promoted of the King Sejong institute for the for the development of quality courses by the faculties of Law of the A4U alliance promotion of the Korean language and at Egyptian universities, resulting in a in 2012. culture was opened. This collaboration broad agreement with the Arab An exchange agreement was also signed means a much greater offer in the area Academy, and a trip to China to offer between student of the Faculty of of eastern Asian studies. support to the UAB Alumni Beijing Veterinary Medicine and the University Chapter and sign new agreements with of Pretoria and three exchange In terms of mobility programmes, this the Beijing Normal University. year students graduating at the UAB had agreements between nursing students spent a period at a foreign university. The UAB also returned to three of the and the University of Indonesia and the Also, 5,000 foreign students chose to major international university fairs: the Muhammadiyah de Yogyakarta study at the UAB. EAIE 2018, in September in Geneva; University, both in Indonesia, and with APAIE 2019, in March in Kuala Lumpur, the Cooperative University of Institutional visits and trips and NAFSA 2019, in May in Washington. Colombia. In recent year there has been a major The UAN received more than forty International agreements increase in relations with the USA and institutional visits during the 2018-2019 Apart from the agreements signed as Canada. This year two student exchange academic year and also made several part of the Erasmus+ programme, the agreements were signed with the institutional trips. Area of International Relations managed University of Montreal and the Visits were received from different more than 100 agreements over the University of York. The Faculty-Led Chinese delegations including the course of the year, meaning 56 new Program of the Faculty of Biosciences delegation of the Renmin University in general and specific collaborations, also continued. For two years it has China, with which the UAB offers the student exchanges on the UAB Exchange welcomed to the faculty a group of double Master’s degree in European Programme and double and joint degrees. students and lecturers from the Institute Integration and Chinese Law. There were These 56 agreements include the double of Technology of Georgia in the USA. also visits by different universities carrying Bachelor’s degree in Tourism with the Other countries with which our relations out joint research projects in the areas Salzburg University of Applied have strengthened are Singapore, of veterinary medicine, economics, Sciences and the joint Master’s degree Malaysia, Japan, China and the United Arab Emirates.
28 Annual report for the 2018-2019 academic year Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona 06 Opening of the Barcelona headquarters of the King Sejong Institute Highlight On 27 February 2019 the Barcelona Headquarters of the King Sejong Institute was officially opened at the UAB, coinciding with the visit by the ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Spain. The institute is finance by the Korean government for the study, promotion and dissemination of the Korean language and culture. Its location First meeting on scientific, at the UAB has strengthened even more cultural and multilingual the link between the Faculty of Translation collaboration in the context and Interpreting and eastern Asian studies. of the Mediterranean Pyrenean Euroregion
Participation in networks From 8 to 10 April meetings took and consortia place at the UAB as a result of the collaboration between the The UAB has continued to participate very French General Consulate in actively in the university networks and Barcelona, the French Institute, consortia of which it forms part. This year the Interuniversity Council of it published position paper in both the ECIU and the YERUN network about the ECIU University Catalonia (CIC) and the General Directorate of the Mediterranean European framework programmes which On 26 June the European Pyrenean Euroregion. Attending will be launched in 2021, with emphasis Commission published the result of were twenty representatives on the need to increase spending on higher the European Commission education. competition to promote the creation from the universities of Montpellier, Toulouse and More specifically, this academic year activity of university alliances offering at the ECIU has centred mainly on drawing innovation in teaching, structured Perpignan and twenty up a project for the European Universities mobility and a European campus. The representatives from the competition, which was selected. The vice ECIU University project, which was universities of Catalonia and the rector for International Relations, Màrius presented by the European University of the Balearic Islands, Martínez, forms part of the board of the Consortium of Innovative Universities as well as representatives of the ECIU and is the treasurer. was one of 17 projects to be selected. organising bodies. The meetings With a duration of three years and set the groundwork for finding of around five million Euros, organising meetings annually or ECIU University is an educational every few years to promote project based on meeting challenges scientific, academic and cultural rather than awarding degrees. It will collaborations among the launch a platform where students, Activities in YERUN, the European universities in the Euroregion. researchers and industry can receive network for young universities, this year training and work together to find During these days a meeting involved the launch of working groups in innovative solutions for the big was also held for Batxibac European politics, joint PhD programmes challenges related to the sustainable students, organised each year and the employability of university development objectives of the United by the Department of French graduates. Nations for cities and communities. and Romance Studies, and this New course will be created involving year more than 150 students individualised and flexible education from the double pre-university known as “microcredentials” which course attended. A mini will serve participants as a “passport programme of French films was In terms of the international activities of of competences” adapted to their also organised thanks to the needs, instead of offering fixed degree the A4U alliance 2018 close with an French Institute. institutional visit to Malaysia and Vietnam courses which are common to as part of a mover to forge new relations everyone. Given that mobility and with Asian institutions. In 2019 the A4U transnationality will form the nucleus placed more emphasis on seeking new of ECIU University, to facilitate the agreements with African universities. relations between its members three Challenge Innovation Hubs will be set up in Linköping (Sweden), a Hamburg (Germany) and Barcelona (coordinated by the UAB).
29 20% of graduates in 2017-2018 spent a period abroad
Welcome and support for Mobility programmes international students
During the 2018-2019 academic year, The International Support Service offers participation by the UAB in the Erasmus+ a range of services to the international programme allowed 743 students from community at the UAB, before their the UAB go to universities in Europe and arrival, upon arrival and during their stay. the UAB welcomed a total of 898 Altogether throughout this year it provided European students. As part of the same 7,276 face-to-face services to programme 77 members of the teaching international visitors. Of these 2,780 were staff and 15 members of the related to obtaining and renewing administration and services staff were UAB Barcelona Summer School residency permits in Spain, 2,243 had to able to spend periods in European do with the different exchange universities and146 students did work During the months of June and July programmes and Study Abroad and 615 placements in European companies. the fourth UAB Barcelona Summer offered support in obtaining a work permit School took place, with 18 subjects The Spanish SICUE programme or authorisation to work. There were also and more than 240 registered facilitated mobility for 166 students of a large number of requests for help with students. For the second which 155 were welcomed by the UAB applications for international consecutive year students from the and 61 were UAB students spending postgraduate grants (MAEC-AECID, UAB took part alongside periods at Spanish universities. IFP/FORD, CONICYT, Erasmus Mundus, international students, this year from The Exchange Programme for student etc.), with 366 requests attended. 29 different countries. In particular mobility to countries outside Europe saw the presence of North American The UAB also offers a support 249 students from the UAB travel abroad (from the USA and Canada), programme for foreign students with a and 382 visiting students. Also 136 welcome session and help in integrating students from the UAB did work Egyptian, Mexican, British, French, into the university community and the placements in companies and institutions Chinese, Korean and Singaporean country. The International Welcome around the world thanks to the work students was notable. The Days, which are held at the beginning of placement element of the programme. programme is now well-established and attracts an increasing number each semester are filled with activities to There were 2,893 inscription on the of collaborating universities such as show students the campus and the Specific Programmes for International the University of California, the services offered as well as the different Students - Study Abroad of which National University of Seoul and the associations that exist. The Mentor almost 2,000 were for the Pre-Established University of Linköping in Sweden. programmes, which offer peer mode which offers teaching in Barcelona. accompaniment and support, the The areas of knowledge most in demand Finally, the programme also Tandem programme for language in this mode were language, economics welcomed a total of 10 students exchange and speaking practice, and and business, and communication. from the Welcome Programme the Buddy Programme, which supports Meanwhile 76 students opted for the managed by the FAS. students at the UAB Barcelona Summer Selected Courses mode, mainly for subjects on the Bachelor’s degree in School, all help in allowing these students Tourism and Hotel management. There to integrate. were 32 Tailor Made courses this year with 921 students from Uruguay, Mexico, Argentina, Chile and Colombia, the USA and eastern Asia.
30 Annual report for the 2018-2019 academic year Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona Participants in mobility programmes, 2018-2019
In Out Highlight Erasmus Studies 898 743
Erasmus Work Placements 146
UAB Exchange Programme 382 249
UAB Exchange Programme Work Placements 136
SICUE 105 61
Study Abroad 2,893
Total 4.278 1.335 12th year of the Erasmus Staff Week From 17 to 21 June, the UAB organised the 12th Erasmus Staff Week. During the week the UAB welcomed staff from Country of origin of international Erasmus students at the UAB. 2018-2019 universities in different European
Italy 24% countries as well as the countries associated with the Erasmus+ Germany 18% programme (Canada, Thailand, France 11% Ghana and Bhutan). The aim of Netherlands 7% the week this year was to put
Portugal 5% international relations offices in contact to improve the UK 5% management of the different Other (29 countries) 30% Erasmus+ programmes and to find out about other procedures and ways of working. For the first time this year the Language Service of the UAB offered an intensive Spanish course.
First meeting of the UAB Country of origin of internacionals students on the UAB Exchange Programme. Alumni Beijing Chapter 2018-2019 On 28 June 2019 the first meeting China 16% of the second international UAB Republic of Korea 11% Alumni chapter took place in
Mexico 11% Beijing. The meeting enabled the presentation of the Alumni Chile 8% Foundation, its Argentina 8% internationalisation strategy and Australia 5% the desire of the UAB to established networking Japan 5% opportunities with the Chinese Colombia 5% alumni who have graduated from Other (12 countries) 31% Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, PhDs and tailor-made courses at the UAB. The Beijing chapter is the second international chapter after Brussels which was set up in 2016.
31 Social and environmental commitment
On 25 February the ceremony for the presentation of the Ithaca-Banco Santander salary grants that were awarded over the last four academic years.
Solidarity and commitment on Universitat-Society programme the 50th anniversary of the UAB Equity and student support of the Board of Trustees
The vocation of the UAB to serve the Through the Board of Trustees and other The University-Society programme is an community and the region and its bodies, the UAB has a series of grants initiative of the Board of Trustees of the commitment to socially and available to offer economic support to UAB and is intended as a body to enable environmentally responsible management students with low incomes. society to participate in the activities of have been evident this year in the the university through strategic actions One of the measures that the UAB has declaration of a state of climate which contribute to strengthening the taken to promote equity and equality of emergency and in the activities aimed at links between the two. opportunities in the access and raising awareness in society about the continuation of university studies is the The actions included in the programme situation of people who have had to flee Finestreta programme to provide a are especially aimed at students, both their countries under the banner “UAB bridge in situations of emergency. In the before coming to university . refuge: the Autònoma welcomes you” 2018-2019 academic year there were (socioeducational support programmes The UAB has continued to roll out two call for applications for a total grant such as Argó and projects for young programmes and action designed to fund of 270,000 Euros. people at risk of social exclusion such maintain equality of opportunity for as UniX and Let’s Go), during their time Last year another series of grants was access to higher education and at the UAB (Impuls grants and the support introduced for curricular work placements socioeducational programmes with the programme for people with special needs) which aims to compensate situations in collaboration of schools within the and after they have finished their studies which students are unable to attend framework of the policies for equality that (UAB Alumni network and the UABImpuls obligatory activities on the campus for had been established previously. job-seeker programme). economic reasons. It was very well The work done over these fifty years to received with a total of 77 grants awarded. The Board of Trustees also collaborates reduce social inequality and in equal in different actions in strategic areas of Also this year, 29 Ithaca-Banco opportunity for access to the university the university such as innovation, Santander salary grants were awarded have been recognised in the results entrepreneurship, knowledge transfer to high performing sixth form students obtained in the first ranking to measure and connection with the region. with difficult socio-economic the social impact of universities in backgrounds. Also, the Fundació accordance with the sustainable Autònoma Solidària, with the support of development objectives of the United the Board of Trustees of the UAB, Nations – the THE University Impact awarded eight Impuls grants to students , in which the UAB was placed Rankings with a disability so that they can attend 7th in the world for its policies to reduce university and complete their higher inequality, 11th for its policies for gender education. equality and 20th for responsible consumption and production. The UAB also has a line of funding for students who collaborate in different tasks at the university while they are completing their studies. In 2018-2019 seventy grants were awarded.
32 Annual report for the 2018-2019 academic year Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona 07 UAB success in the social and Highlight environmental impact rankings In the first THE University Impact Rankings the UAB was placed 34th in the world. The rankings evaluate the activity of more than 500 universities with respect to the sustainable development objectives of the United Nations. The UAB was particularly successful in the “Reduction of inequality” objective where it was placed 7th in the world and 1st in Spain. 15th year of the Ithaca Campus This year 398 students from 80 Socioeducational secondary schools in 33 programmes municipalities took part in the Ithaca Campus. The campus With the aim of strengthening and Altogether this year more than 2,500 was divided into two separate bringing closer relations between society people were able to benefit from the periods: 25 June to 3 July and and the university, the UAB has several socioeducational programmes offered 4 to 12 July 2019. Thanks to socioeducational programmes to offer by the UAB. their period spent at the UAB which take place both on the campus the students were able to see The University with Reach programme and in local schools. Programmes such first-hand what the university promotes continuing education in a as the Ithaca Campus and the Argó campus is like and be motivated context of active ageing and offers Programme promote good relations by it to continue with their opportunities for courses and social between the university and secondary studies. involvement through the Learning on school students as an incentive for them Campus programme and the 17 to continue their education beyond the classroom tutored by the UAB . This year compulsory stage. The Argó programme, the UAB held a day workshop on the which is now in its fifteenth year, offers promotion of the use of digital technology support to sixth form students and higher- in the classroom. level vocational training students to reach university by giving advice on schoolwork, training sessions, company placements and the Argó Prize for final school projects and vocational training final projects. This objective is reinforced by other activities Award of the Argó Prize to attract future students to the UAB, On 26 June 40 Argó prizes for such as the Physics and Maths final school projects were Saturdays, the Interactive Chemistry awarded in the 16th year of the Days and participation in the BiblioLab The UAB takes part in the “10 a la competition. 373 projects were project organised by the Diputació de menos 9” Festival presented divided into six areas Barcelona and the Youth Mobile Festival of knowledge. The following day On 11 the Bellaterra campus was “10 a la menos 9” festival. at the UAB the Argó prizes were once again one of the venues for the The UAB stresses its commitment to awarded to winners from the 40 “10 a la menos 9” Nanoscience and these more disadvantaged aspects of vocational training final projects nanotechnology Festival aimed at society and the area, and so it offers a presented. secondary school students from the series of socioeducational programmes final year of compulsory aimed at supporting students in primary education(15/16 years old). The and secondary education who, for campus activities were divided sociocultural or personal reasons, find it between the Faculty of Science of difficult to meet academic objectives. the UAB, the Catalan Institute of They are the CROMA 2.0 Programme, Nanoscience and Nanotechnology the Let’s Go programme, the UniX (ICN2), The Barcelona Institute of programme and the Shere Rom project, Materials Science (ICMAB-CSIC) and which also aim to motivate children and the Barcelona Institute of young people to continue their education Microelectronics (IMB-CNM). beyond the compulsory stage.
33 On 11 December at the UAB Theatre there was an event to celebrate the International Day of People with Disabilities. During the day the Impuls grants were awarded and Josep María Sanahuja, director of the Centre for Studies and Research for an Inclusive Society (CERSIN) and lecturer in the Department of Applied Pedagogy, gave a talk on the challenges for moving towards an inclusive university.
Social programmes Cooperation for and volunteering development Disability support
The achievement of a university The UAB Welcome Programme which The support service for students with a community that is more committed to is aimed at people requesting disability or special educational needs, and supportive of society has been international protection has this year PIUNE, has provided support for 230 evident through the participation of 450 established questions of asylum and students this year. This service offer people, including students, administration refugees as a central part of the academic information to future students of the UAB and services staff and teaching and year under the banner “UAB refuge: the and promotes measures to support research staff in social and volunteering Autònoma welcomes you”. students with a disability or special educational needs throughout their programmes managed by the Fundació The Solidarity Fund made two calls for studies. The programme also manages Autònoma Solidària (FAS). applications this year. The first was aimed an adapted transport service on the Volunteering programmes in the social as administration and services staff and Bellaterra campus and accompaniment area, such as the Justice Programme (in teaching and research staff and will on foot for students with poor orientation. prison and youth detention centres), the finance seven university cooperation for socioeducational programmes and development projects in different areas This year the UAB has approved the Social-Health Programme, have attended of knowledge, while the second call criteria for drawing up a document a total of 2,861 people at risk of social aimed at students will support four regulating the operating rules for a sign exclusion or who experiencing a difficult projects by Bachelor’s and master’s language interpreting service for students time in terms of health or personal life. degree and PhD students. These projects with impaired hearing in order to Also, groups of students have promoted will be carried out in Bolivia, Lebanon, guarantee that establishment of the rights awareness-raising campaigns about the Morocco, Mexico, Mozambique, Peru, and responsibilities regarding this service. environment, food waste and healthy Senegal, Chile, Venezuela and Catalonia. habits. This year volunteer activities were also set up in the geriatrics section of the Hospital de Sant Pau.
#UAB refuge: the Autònoma The UAB participates in the programme welcomes you of the Government of Catalonia for taking in refugees and this year an agreement “UAB refuge: the Autònoma welcomes was signed with Castellar del Vallès you” was the theme for the UAB Council to take in refugees. Since 2016 Annual Party in 2018 and the centre a total of 110 people have benefitted from of a large number of academic and the programme, of which 10 are refugee cultural activities organised around the students who have joined undergraduate problems and needs of refugees” The and postgraduate courses at the UAB. Week of Migrations and Human Rights Work is currently being carried out to and the exhibition “We are Lesbos” establish a fund to be able to provide are a couple of these activities which refugees with study grants. enjoyed the participation of the entire university community.
34 Annual report for the 2018-2019 academic year Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona Highlight
The UAB has signed the declaration of the state of climate emergency. It has joined forces with the different sectors of society to place in the front line of the media and politics the gravity of the climate crisis that is affecting the world. The first public charging This declaration will inspire the theme station for electric vehicles for the next UAB Annual party. is installed The first public charging station for electric vehicles has been La gestió ambiental installed in the Eix Central below the Plaça Cívica. The station This year actions and initiatives included To promote energy saving measures have allows charging of a vehicle from in the Plan for a Healthy and been put in place for raising awareness 2 to 4 hours according to the Sustainable Campus were started. The among the community for improving model and two vehicles can be plan is for the period 2018-2022 and was energy use, such as the new “I prefer charged at the same time. approved last year. It includes initiatives sustainable” and participation in the focussing on people’s health and the DIFON project (see chapter 9 “Resource sustainability of the campus and has management”). been drawn up in the context of the Objectives for Sustainable Development of the United Nations in line with the institutional declaration of Sustainable mobility video the Catalan Public Universities (ACUP) competition signed by the UAB which places the 2030 Agenda at the centre of university This year saw the first activities. competition for videos about sustainable mobility at the UAB. The Governing Council has approved the The competition, which forms Plan for Mobility 2018-2024, taking into The circular economy under part of the U-MOB LIFE project, account the result of the first plan (2008- discussion is sponsored by VadeCity, and 2014), with the aim of increasing access is held jointly with 23 other to the university campus using criteria of This year the UAB has encouraged universities in Spain. The aim is sustainability, efficiency and safety. The student discussion and participation to raise awareness of the effects plan wants to see greater use of public in the global challenges of the circular that different types of mobility transport and promote the use of bicycles economy with the aim of reducing at the university have on the and walking on the campus through the waste and promoting reuse and environment, economy, society construction of new paths and pavements recycling. and safety. and new bike lanes. It also wants to The topic has been broached in a rationalise the use of private vehicles series of seminars organised by the The UAB is 37th in the world through planned circulation and parking University-Company Programme of for sustainability according to and support for electrical vehicles through the UAB and the Association of GreenMetric charging stations. Environmentalists of Catalonia, and The UAB has gone up 13 Also this year the Sustainable and Safe also through the participation of the position compared with last year Mobility Week was organised from 21 CORE in Smart and Sustainable in the GreenMetric ranking of to 26 October including Bicycle Day, Cities and the UAB Open Labs in the the University of Indonesia, and from 1 to 5 April Healthy and Circular University Challenge project which assesses efforts to Sustainable Week, which offered more aimed at students from any discipline become more sustainable and than forty activities to the university who want to present individual or policies for responsible community. The “Move around the UAB” group solutions to promote the management of the environment. initiative and support for bicycle users circular economy. were very broadly taken up and continued to be this year too.
35 University Community
Q Party Certificate! For the UAB Annual Party The UAB Annual Party has received the Q Party Certificate from the Public Health Agency of Catalonia. The UAB is the first university to receive this quality award which recognises action of sustainability, quality and safety.
Student participation Observatory for Equality
The UAB has a very active community The great milestone this year was the 4th Plan of Action for Gender and a network of associations for different approval of the 4th Plan of Action for Equality social and cultural activities on the Gender Equality for 2019-2023. The This academic year the Governing campus. The UAB support them by Governing Council also approved the Council approved the 4th Plan of making available a set of resources and Protocol for prevention and action Action for Gender Equality for 2019- equipment. This year, on the suggestion against sexual harassment for reasons 2023, which was drawn up by the of the Governing Team of the UAB and of sex, sexual orientation, identity or Observatory for Equality. The purpose with the agreement of the faculties the expression of gender, and gender-based of the plan is to articulate policies for Governing Council has fixed eight days violence. The protocol includes measures gender and LGBTI equality in the in the academic year when from 1pm to for prevention, support and university. 3pm students are encouraged to take accompaniment, and also to identify part in non-academic activities. behaviour displaying harassment or gender- The plan aims to respond to three challenges: introduce the LGBTI There were elections this year for different based violence to be able to guarantee full protection throughout the UAB community. perspective and make sexism and student representation organisations. gender-based violence visible, Four delegates were elected from each This year different activities and campaigns facilitate the implementation and of the faculties to represent them in the were organised to give information and evaluation of actions, and involve the UAB Student Council Meeting (CEUAB). visibility to problems as part of the entire university community while At that meeting there was a vote to elect celebration of International Women’s and offering the commitment of the the members of the CEUAB Executive Girls in Science Day on 12 February, the institution in the whole process and Committee with a mandate of one year. International Day for the Elimination of especially in accountability. Delegates were also elected for the Violence Against Women on 20 November academic group which acts as an and the International Day Against The measures proposed in the plan interlocuter between the students and Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia are set out in five lines: promotion of the faculty. on 14 May. For the first time this year the a culture and policies of equality; Observatory organised an Institutional Event equality in conditions of access to, The associations at the UAB held the promotion and organisation of work assembly of the Directory of Groups at for the International Day for Persons with Disabilities on 3 December. and study; promotion of the gender the UAB, with 82 groups listed and more perspective teaching and research; than 2,400 people involved, and the On 7 march the fourteenth institutional equality of participation and election of five members to form part of event for International Working Women’s representation in the university the Directory Coordination. Funding for Day was held, and there was a homage to community; and the promotion of students associations in 2019 saw 64 Maria Jesús Espuny, emeritus lecturer in organisation free of sexism and applications and 61 grants were awarded the Department of Law and Historical-Legal gender-based violence. to the sum of 12,500 Euros. Studies. It should also be highlighted that Maria Prats was named the new director of the observatory and has taken over from Joana Gallego. Maria Prats is lecturer in Regional Geographical Analysis at the Department of Geography of the UAB.
36 Annual report for the 2018-2019 academic year Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona 08 Highlight
On 27 November the prizegiving ceremony for the third year of the best Bachelor’s degree final project (TFG) with a gender perspective took place. This 30th anniversary of the UAB year 93 projects were presented (almost Friends association double that of last year) from different UAB faculties and 27 received prizes. On 20 June in the Auditorium of the Rectorat building the institutional celebration of the 30th anniversary of the UAB Human resources Friends association was held. Founded in 1989 by Rector at This year the UAB has prioritised actions outcome of their assessment and have the the time Ramon Pascual, UAB for the stabilisation and promotion of corresponding accreditation can opt for a Friends was the first organisation academic positions and administration and permanent lecturer position, whether of friends to be set up in a services positions, in collaboration with government or university funded. Catalan university. During these social agents. For administration and services staff this thirty years the association has For teaching and research staff two year the first proposal for a professional organised over 220 activities strategic agreement that had been approved career model for this category was involving more than 400 experts. the previous year were implemented: the presented, aimed a recognising and The star activity was the ‘The Academic dedication model for UAB teaching increasing the involvement of the University Has An Opinion’ staff and the Theoretical staffing model for professionals who form part of this group at series of talks. academic staff in departments and hospital the UAB. This proposal anticipate a teaching units. The former provides an progression similar to the six-year periods adequate reflection of teaching staff teaching for teaching and research staff, which are dedication in relation to their academic activity cumulative and result in a salary rise providing as a whole. The latter allow departmental there is sufficient budget to cover it. staffing to be designed according to teaching needs and the research and transfer activity of the member of staff. Public offers of positions in 2018 resulted To mark the event an olive tree in a total of 70 permanent teaching positions was planted in the gardens of the (12 professors and 58 associate lecturers) Torre Vila Puig, where the to which 21 places of assistant lecturer were association is based. added throughout the year through the Serra Húnter programme. It is also important to mention that the The UAB congratulated for its Governing Council agreed that associate commitment to the employment lecturers joining UAB departments from of deaf people 2019 should undergo an mid-term On 17 November as part of the 23rd assessment after the third year of their Training Seminar for Deaf People, the contract. To that end the departments will ACAPPS Federation congratulated the have to design the assessment criteria to UAB for its pledge and commitment to Recognition of retired staff be used for the associate lecturers and will employing people with a disability and have to take into account the AQU quality in particular deaf people. Since 2010 On 6 September there was an standards to achieve AQU research the UAB has employed 32 deaf people event in recognition of members accreditation. As long as the budget permits in the faculty libraries of the UAB. of teaching and research and and there is authority from the General administration and services staff Directorate of Universities, the UAB must who retired during the 2017-2018 guarantee that candidates with a positive academic year. They were thanked for their work during their time at the UAB.
37 Six students from the UAB have been recognised as the best sportspeople in their category at the 33rd University Championships of Catalonia which were held on 9 October at the UPC. In the individual categories they won a total of 40 medals: 17 for athletics, 1 for cross country, 2 for karate, 8 for swimming, 4 for judo and 8 for taekwondo. For team sports the university rugby team the ‘Centaures’ were the victors in the men’s 7 a side and the women’s and men’s handball teams were runners up.
Friends of the UAB UAB Alumni
In terms of public offers of position in The Friends of the UAB association, The UAB Alumni Foundation works to 2018, a total of 219 places were approved which celebrated its 30th anniversary this promote the network of UAB graduates for administration and services staff. year, brings together members and former to form a dynamic and interconnected Thanks to this staff who have occupied members of the university community community of professionals with an structural place continually, at least in and friends of the UAB. During the year international presence based on the the last three years, have been stabilised. it organised 32 activities included in series promotion of continuing education, Finally, on 20 June the trade union of talks and debates The University Has professional practice and the creation of elections took place for the Government- An Opinion and Claris Suppers, and also other common spaces. cultural visits. employed Teaching and Research Staff UAB Alumni participate in day-to-day Committee, the Non-government- campus activities such as the Annual employed Teaching and Research Staff Party and the Healthy and Sustainable Committee and the Administrative and Week. This year saw the creation of the Services Staff Committee. The e-voting Speak Corner during the MEMEnginy fair system, which has also been used in the which gave the opportunity for different past, meant that vote counting was much people from the UAB to present their easier and also made it easier to vote. start-ups. The UAB Alumni also participate in the graduation ceremonies Ombud’s Office to offer a welcome to the new graduates.
The Ombud’s Office of the UAB is the During the UAB Friends Party, which In 2018-2019, the foundation continued body responsible for ensuring respect took place on 22 November, an honorary to promote networking activities and the for the rights and responsibilities of award was made to the university on the joint generation of knowledge with sector members of the university community occasion of its 50th anniversary, received networks of alumni from the faculties, before the different university bodies and by the rector Margarita Arboix such as the 3rd Meeting of the Alumni services. representing the institution. The Friends Community of the Faculty of Economics and Business (CAFEE)m centred on In 2018 a total of 107 files were opened, of Friends Award went to Carme Trilla, digital change within companies, 25 years 78 from students representing 73% of housing specialist; Xavier Muñoz, former of the Labour Relations degree and a the total. The content of the complaints member of the Board of Trustees and meeting of the first contingent of was related to these operational areas: chair of UAB Friends; and Juanjo biochemistry students at the UAB. academic (69%), economic (18%), work Villanueva, emeritus lecturer of the (9%), campus services (2%) and external Department of Computational Science A menu of services aimed at professional (2%). The specific topics for which most and former director of the Computer guidance with personalised assessment complaints were received were Vision Centre. The UAB Group Prize went for improved employment, international assessments (15) payment of grants to to the Employability Service and was mobility and entrepreneurship, and students and interest on registration fees collected by vice rector for Students and discounts on Master’s degrees and PhDs (14) and the employment processes for Employability Sara Moreno. Finally, the at the UAB is also available to members. staff (7). Friends of the Libraries Prize was awarded to Francisco Rico, Eduardo Rojo As part of the Board of Trustees Night, and, posthumously, to Jesús Moncada. the UAB Alumni Prize was awarded to film director Carla Simón.
38 Annual report for the 2018-2019 academic year Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona Highlight
UAB students Gorka Samaniego, Neus Galobardes and Anna Vilà are the members of the winning team in the University Debate League organised by the Vives University Network. The competition aimed to promote communication skills and critical thinking in students and this year around 1,400 “UAB refuge: the Autònoma students from 16 universities in Catalonia, welcomes you” was the the Balearic Islands and the Valencia banner for the UAB Annual Region took part. Party in 2018
On 7 November the UAB Annual Party took place under the Cultural activity banner “UAB refuge: the This year around 170 cultural activities More than thirty proposals were received Autònoma welcomes you” were organised involving the participation allowing nine new music groups to play included several awareness of more than 12,000 people. There were on the UAB Annual Party stages and raising activities about the global five exhibitions in the fixed programme three of the permanent music groups. refugee crisis. Two refugee attracting more than 2,500 visitors, 66 Two outstanding performances by Lia students from Lebanon who showings in the UAB Cinema, with around Sampai and Adrià Pagès were seen at were taken in by the UAB 5,000 viewers, and 25 activities in the the Literary Awards of Cerdanyola and through the Welcome UAB Theatre with total audiences of more programme of the Government than 1,600. the UAB. Support was also given to the organisation of activities by departments, of Catalonia gave the opening Seven new shows and concerts put on teaching centres and research groups as speech. by members of the UAB were staged and there were more than 15 shows in and well as external organisations, such as outside the UAB by permanent cultural the Capellades International Music associations and art studios (Choir, Competition. Chamber choir, Orchestra, dance group and theatre group), involving the participation of more than 231 members and there were also 15 training activities with recognised ECTS credits. For the 50th anniversary concert at the Palau de Ceremony for the Literary la Música Catalana, the UAB Choir and Awards of the UAB and Orchestra, in collaboration with the Cerdanyola de Vallès Council Catalan Orpheus and the Vallès Symphonic Orchestra played the cantata On 9 May the award ceremony El secret de les coses by Marc Timón, took place for the literary among other pieces. The most outstanding professional competition organised each year performing arts at the UAB Theatre were by Cerdanyola Council and UAB. the concert by Joan Miquel Oliver, to This year Xavier Mas Craviotto present his new work Elektra, and won the 10th Caterina Albert Mexicatas, by Sergi Belbel and directed Prize for Short Stories for Young by Antonio Calvo. The exhibition People with the book Lluny (Far); “Neuromarketing. I can’t get it out of my Jordi Ferrer Gràcia took the 24th head!”, curated by Pere Navalles, the Miquel Martí i Pol Poetry Prize exhibition “Between the lines. Travel, for the collection Carn estranya desire and fantasy illustrated”, curated (Strange meat), and Roser by Jaume Vidal and co-produced by the Blàzquez Hernández was Support was also given to activities official Master’s degree in Analysis and awarded the 25th Valldaura – organised by the different services, Management of Artistic Heritage, and Pere Calders Memorial Novel groups and members of the university. finally the pre-screening of Beautiful Boy Prize for the work La volada del One of them was the programme of by Felix van Groeningen were some of pinsà (The flight of the chaffinch). musical events at the FMUAB which the exhibition and film activities at the resulted in the Autònoma Actua Award. UAB Gallery and the UAB Cinema.
39 Resource management
319,7 million Euro budget (after expenditure settlement)
Implementation of budget
The 2018 Budget for the UAB was The treasury needs of the UAB in 2018 that the UAB has had to rely on a credit conditioned by the 2017 budget of the were similar to those the previous year, note for 3.8 million Euros, far higher than Government of Catalonia in the context but at the end of the year the debt the 0.58 million the previous year. of article 155. This was another year pending from the Government of without an initial budget for the necessary Catalonia with respect to expenditure financing of the salary rises in 2017 and implemented and paid in 2018 has meant 2018 nor for the partial payments of the extra salary payment in 2012 (20.77%). Neither was there financing for the costs Income statement for 2018. Rights recognised involved in complying with the legal sentences related to the recovery of Current transfers 56.19% employees rights nor the natural increase. Fees and other income 33.65% Throughout 2018 we were unable to make Variation in financial liabilities 0.47% progress on a base agreement between Capital transfers 9.27% the Catalan public universities and the Secretariat for Universities and Research Equity income 0.42% to establish a system of distribution for Total: 316,397,033 euros. public universities for the period 2017- 2020. Registration fees for the 2018-2019 academic year remain frozen for the fourth year running. The lack of anticipated income and especially that from the Government of Expenditure statement for 2018. Obligations assumed Catalonia has mean that the university closed the financial year with a deficit of Personnel costs 67.76% 3.2 million Euros. The last year the Purchase of current goods and services 15.29%
university closed in deficit was 2011. Financial expenditure 0.25% Article 81.5 of the Organic Law on Current transfers 5.15% Universities and the Budget law for the Government of Catalonia for 2017 Investments 10.74% establish the conditions for the approval Capital transfers 0.01%
of a stabilisation plan for budgets (PEP) Variation in financial liabilities 0.80% which corrects the imbalance. The PEP Total: 319,741,117 euros. has to be approved by the Board of Trustees of the UAB and by the competent department of the Government of Catalonia within a period Please note: the difference between recognised rights (€316.397m), part of which corresponds of two months. to final and/or multi-year income, and recognised liabilities (€319.741m) does not determine the budget deficit or surplus for the year, as some of this income may have come from previous years and may be spent in years following the year for which the statements were drawn up.
40 Annual report for the 2018-2019 academic year Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona 09
Energy efficiency actions
The UAB seeks responsible consumption of energy resources by encourages responsible practices in energy use and the improvement of energy efficiency in its installations. Since January 2018, the UAB has consumed 100% renewable electricity thanks to the joint tender purchase by the Consortium of University Services of Catalonia (CSUC). Also, during the 2018-2019 academic year the university put into place measures for On 30 January students from the energy saving and efficiency, among Bachelor’s degree in Advertising and which were the installation of LED Public Relations presented the winning New energy saving campaign fluorescent lighting in spaces of intensive energy saving campaign. use in the UAB and in exterior spaces on “I prefer sustainable” is the tagline the campus, the installation of solar for the information and awareness- protection film in spaces where the raising programme that UAB has sunlight is greatest, the optimisation of launched in 2018-2019 to make the heating installations through the university community more aware of installation of temperature control valves the need to save energy and to and improvements in the interior promote responsible use of insulation of radiator pipes. Also all resources. climatised spaces (heating or cooling) The campaign design was chosen have had the temperatures adjusted in from entries in a competition for accordance with the needs of the space. students of the subject Creativity in As part of the policy for installing new Public Relations on the Advertising and more efficient climatisation and Public Relations Bachelor’s equipment, this year the UAB has degree at the UAB. The winning refurbished two boiler rooms in the campaign used a suggestive tone faculties of Science and Bioscience. and modern design to reach a young audience. Finally in order to improve the dissemination of information about energy This new campaign which has been consumption, as part of the DIFON promoted by the energy project information screens have been improvement groups of the UAB, the installed enabling electricity consumption Office for Architecture and Logistics to be seen in real time in the and the Office for the Environment Communication Library and General New of the university forms part of the Archive and the faculties of Sciences, objectives set out the Action Plan Biosciences and Communication. for Sustainability of the UAB.
41
TERRASSA
I LLEIDA > LLEIDA I
A TARRAGONA A AP-7 SABADELL E-9 8 AP-7 2
B-30 C-58
BV-1414
1
AP-7 B-30 E-9 RIU LLOBREGAT BP-1413 SANT CUGAT DEL VALLÈS A GIRONA I FRANÇA >
CERDANYOLA
A-2
C-58 A GIRONA I FRANÇA >
A-17
TÚNEL DE VALLVIDRERA A-2
RIU BESÒS 5
RONDA DE DALT TÚNEL DE LA ROVIRA A MATARÓ >
MERIDIANA C-32 C-32 DIAGONAL 3 4 RONDA DE DALT 7
RONDA DEL MIG SANTS C-31 BADALONA GRAN VIA DE LES CORTS CATALANES
CATALUNYA RONDA DEL LITORAL
6 RIU LLOBREGAT AEROPORT DEL PRAT
BARCELONA
Campus UAB University Hospitals (Faculty of Medicine teaching units) 1 Campus de Bellaterra 2 Campus de Sabadell 4 Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau (Barcelona) 3 Campus de Barcelona 5 Hospital Universitari de la Vall d’Hebron (UAB Casa Convalescència) (Barcelona) 6 Hospital del Mar (Barcelona) 7 Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol (Badalona) 8 Corporació Sanitària Parc Taulí (Sabadell)
42 Annual report for the 2018-2019 academic year Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona Campus de Bellaterra 08193 Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès) www.uab.cat/en