The Senate approves of the Rectorʼs annual report

The rector highlighted the good results of the UB, which is once more the favourite option as university for Catalan students and leader regarding the amount of applications as first choice (30.98% out of the total applications). He also noted the distinguished position of the UB in bachelor degrees with excellence accreditations: 24% regarding the 10% of the whole Catalan system. Elias commented the team is working on the analysis of the degree map and the corresponding revision and adaption of academic regulations. He also commented on the RIMDA program as well as the renewal of accreditations of the teaching evaluation guidelines. Also, he highlighted the extension of the coverage of grants in the 2019-2020 call and migration from Virtual Campus to the Cloud. The rector closed this first chapter of his speech reminding that, once more, the students of the UB got excellent results in the university tournaments in Catalonia and Spain (91 and 28 medals respectively).

Regarding research, the rector started by giving some figures to contextualize the good results on the scientific impact of publications: the UB produces 11% of the university scientific publications in Spain. Then, he mentioned the actions that have been carried out to get talent and bring new researchers at the University. He also explained the new Plan of academic dedication in the field of research as a better distinction of researchers, as well as the aim of bringing the professional studies of research managers and technologists within the future Catalan law of science. The rector dedicated a part of his speech to explain the renewal of the equipment. He also noted that the new regulation of the Doctoral School has to contribute to modernize the management of these studies. Joan Elias went over the task of scientific dissemination and highlighted the participation of the UB in the Magnet program and the organization of the Science Festival. The rector closed the research chapter mentioning the new regulation on the Statute of the training research staff (EPIF) and stressed that the UB launched measures to improve the employment position of pre-doctoral staff and the UB-specific program PREDOCS-UB has been called.

The UB “is heading towards the creation of a global university”, noted the rector in the chapter of international outreach. He went through the 114 international agreements that were signed this year, and mentioned the intensification of activity in university networks in Latin America. Also, he noted this yearʼs International Mobility Fair, which is aimed at students. Regarding international research projects, he highlighted the increase of success rate in the proposals that were presented by the UB, so that it got a 54 million euros funding in 141 projects. The rector closed this report chapter highlighting three specific aspects: the renewal of the project Campus of the Americas, which is jointly launched with the University Pablo Olavidae (Sevilla) and the University of Salamanca; the participation in LERU, and the alliance CHARM-EU, selected in the first Erasmus+ call for the creation of European universities, which “will set us as a model center in the university scene in Europe and internationally”, he said.

Social commitment also marked the rectorʼs speech, who mentioned the elaboration and approval of the Action protocol against sexual harassment for reasons of sex, sexual orientation and sexual identity and other chauvinist behaviours. He commented on the women campaign at the UB, and the book Les primeres professores de la Universitat de Barcelona and the new rooms being named after women. The rector also highlighted the proposal of a senior postgraduate degree for the academic year 2020/2021 and the creation of Ateneu UB, a project “for the retired lecturers to keep a bond with the University”. Also, he reminded that last February 18 was the starting point of the elaboration of the Sustainable Development Plan of the UB with the participation of the teaching staff, PAS staff and the students, and the re-modelled image of the Entrepreneurship Institute (BIE) which is now named StartUB!. The new space StartUB!Lab, which is approximately 400 square meters, gathers our studentsʼ entrepreneur initiatives. Regarding knowledge transfer, the rector noted this year the UB is leading the TH innovation ranking in Spain and holds the 75th position in Europe. He also explained the work carried out within the Plan for management, preservation and enrichment of cultural heritage of the UB and the definite approval of the Special integral plan for the regulation of Campus of the Arts in Can Ricart.

Within the actions that aim to consolidate an open, accessible and participative governing model, the rector mentioned, among others, the review of the Portal of transparency and fulfilment of requirements stated in the new Data Protection Regulation, the regulation for the elaboration of letter services of the UB and the approval of the new General regulation for the UB elections. Last, the speech made reference to the actions in the economic area of this yearʼs General Management, “linked to two strategic lines: one, to increase the UB funding, and the other, to set an economic policy based on efficiency and equity criteria”. The design of strategies to develop the teaching staff list and stabilize the PAS one were central objectives this year.

The rector wanted to mention a field he considers to be “essential to make everything we do understandable and accessible internal and externally: our communication strategy”. He mentioned the launch of the Communication strategy plan of the UB (Communication 360º). The alliance CHARM-EU, the constant exchange of university members within the LERU network and the presidency of the Catalan Association of Public Universities (ACUP), which closed the report for 2019.

Treated topics in the speaking turn were the situation of PhD students, the state of works for the elaboration of the Equality Plan, the non-reparation of the loss of purchase power of PAS, the policy for transparency and accountability, the need to improve of the institution structure to make it more efficient and student participation.