The University of the Basque Country (UPV / EHU) and TECNALIA Research and Technological Development Center have made another breakthrough in collaboration with others, and have planned several projects for 2019, such as the creation of new laboratories, the opening of technology classrooms and the activation of collaboration in international projects. This intention follows the work of 2018. "It has been a very fruitful year, and the results of our work have improved over the years," said Nekane Balluerka, the Rector of the UPV and Iñaki San Sebastián, CEO of TECNALIA, at the presentation of the balance of cooperation and forward-looking challenges.

 

In the previous financial year, the two have participated in more than 50 research projects, with a budget of approximately 9 million euros between them. In addition, 6 patents have been applied for and 116 publications have been issued, together with 86 doctoral preparations under management. These data indicate that TECNALIA has increased scientific production by 10% (compared to 2017 data) thanks to the collaboration with the UPV / EHU. The goal is to increase 10% in 2019.

 

These results are the result of the collaboration between the two organizations over the last few years, and it must be said that this collaboration has been greatly strengthened and strengthened since the development of the International Campus of Excellence. This partnership was agreed in 2018 through a strategic agreement whose aim is to create an open and integrative relationship in favor of the whole Basque Science, Technology and Innovation System, with a greater impact on society. Both organizations aim to train, research, transfer, innovate and disseminate knowledge, and to this end, they have several partnerships - known as knowledge poles - to work on issues that are major societal challenges and in line with the Basque Strategy for Smart Specialization: renewable marine energy; 4.0 industry, health and aging; digitalisation, and the development of sustainable and multifunctional materials.

 

Rector Nekane Balluerka stressed that “For the University of the Basque Country, the transmission of knowledge to society - through companies or other social institutions - is a basic goal, but it goes beyond our strategic relationship with TECNALIA, as well as other lines of work. how to teach - through internships, undergraduate or master's degree programs - and research - through doctoral theses and collaborative teams. This is why we believe that TECNALIA, one of the most important technology centers in Europe, is a key ally in the development of our university's goal. ”

 

For his part, Iñaki San Sebastian added: “Our collaboration agreement with the University of the Basque Country is a strategic one, and it helps us to continue to create knowledge, education, research and development ecosystems. The aim is to strengthen the economic, social and cultural development of the environment, which will have an international projection. Thanks to this development, we are creating more value chains of R&D, with greater impact and duration, from a complementary perspective, and reinforced by the synergies of both organizations ”.

 

As a result of the collaboration of the two organizations, the students of the UPV / EHU have the opportunity to take part in TECNALIA educational practices (employment is promoted), and it is possible to work together in training activities. Another goal of the partnership is the creation of new educational areas, such as the Border University Border Campus, TECNALIA technology classrooms or inter-research laboratories.

 

The TECNALIA technology classrooms were created with the aim of promoting collaboration in the scientific-technical field, participating jointly in R & D & I activities and through shared and continuous training of researchers. Currently, there are three TECNALIA technology classrooms - engineering, economics and business, and science and technology - and in 2019 it is planned to open new ones on the Gipuzkoa and Alava campuses.

 

The joint research laboratories, meanwhile, seek to collaborate on the development of long-term research and transfer programs with the accession of researchers from both institutions, as well as other research centers. Currently, there are three laboratories in this category dedicated to data analysis, marine renewable energy and, most importantly, applied mathematics. Another goal this year is to promote a new laboratory for sustainable nanomaterials with the University of Bordeaux.

 

In 2018, the first 4.0 laboratory of the Basque Country dedicated to the pharmaceutical industry was launched. It's called PharmaLabs 4.0 and it is located in the Alava Technology Park. This is the result of the work of TECNALIA and the UPV for over 20 years.

 

With regard to the challenges of 2019, it is worth noting that the EUSKAMPUS Joint Research Unit, a tool for fostering cooperation in international projects, is to be launched. This collaborative resource of European Union research programs will enable organizations to act as one entity.

 

The University of the Basque Country ranks among the top 500 universities in the world, according to the ranking of Shanghai. It has more than 43,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students, and approximately 7,400 employees in service, higher education, research and transfer. He is the principal research agent in the Basque Country.

 

For its part, TECNALIA is a center for technological research and development, a benchmark throughout Europe. It has 1,400 experts from thirty countries, all of whom have turned technology into GDP and are keen to improve the quality of life of humans, creating business opportunities for companies.