Arcadi Navarro: “The UVic-UCC is helping to build a stronger country”

The University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC) has officially inaugurated the 2016-2017 academic year this afternoon with a ceremony in the Aula Magna of the UVic Campus. The inauguration ceremony also acted as the starting signal for the events commemorating the twentieth anniversary of the University, which is being celebrated throughout this academic year. The event was chaired by the rector Jordi Montaña, accompanied by the President of the Board of Trustees Balmes University Foundation (FUBalmes) and the mayor of Vic, Anna Erra, and by the Secretary for Universities and Research of the Government of Catalonia, Arcadi Navarro.
 

The central role of the UVic-UCC
The Secretary for Universities and Research of the Government of Catalonia, Arcadi Navarro, chaired the the inauguration of the University year for the first time, and stated that the UVic-UCC "is central to the Catalan university system". Navarro highlighted the growth of the UVic-UCC in recent years and said that "it is ready to meet all the changes and challenges in the university system". He explained that the increase in competitive funds achieved in recent years and the "exemplary" inclusion in the Industrial Doctorates programme "creates a central University that is helping to build a stronger country”. Finally, he appealed to the strength of central Catalonia during the industrial revolution and encouraged it to lead change today, "through the University”.

Structuring of the territory, internationalisation and its own pedagogical model
In his speech, the rector Jordi Montaña reviewed the major achievements of the UVic-UCC during its twenty-year history, and outlined the key strategies for its future. "We are facing serious challenges such as defining the role of the university in a rapidly changing society," concluded the rector, for whom the structuring of the territory is and will be essential "to make the knowledge society possible in our area of influence - inland Catalonia". Applied research, internationalisation and the University's own pedagogical model are other factors to consider, together with the future Faculty of Medicine: "It will not only not be competition for any of the existing faculties; it will also be part of the solution to the problem of a lack of doctors anticipated in the coming years," said Montaña.
Meanwhile, Anna Erra said that the Faculty will be a "great spur" for the University and for Vic and Manresa. According to the president of the Board of Trustees of the FUBalmes, this project will change the two cities involved, and she praised "the efforts of generosity" by the two councils in moving the federation forward and making it "a centre for attracting talent”.

Medal for Ramon Cotrina
The event began with the screening of the video record of the 2015-2016 academic year, introduced by the general secretary, Maria Àngels Crusellas. The doctor and lecturer in the Faculty of Health Sciences and Welfare Raimon Milà delivered the inaugural lecture, entitled "Childhood obesity and chronic disease in adults: an economic health and social perspective on the twenty-first century".
The UVic-UCC institutional medal was then presented to the sociologist, poet and translator from Sant Joan de les Abadesses, Ramon Cotrina in recognition of his role in the early days of the Mestres Balmes Teacher University School in 1977, as well as the publishing house EUMO, where he was the first technical director. The University insignia were also presented to the eight people who retired last year, and special awards and diplomas were presented for the best transcripts for each undergraduate and master's degree course at the University.