Report on development contributions by Catalan universities

08/04/2011

The study is entitled Higher Education in Regional and City Development. The Autonomous Region of Catalonia and was presented at an event organised by the Catalan Association of Public Universities (ACUP), the CYD Foundation, the City Council of Barcelona and the Government of Catalonia. The event included the presence of Andreu Mas-Colell, Minister of Economy and Knowledge; Jordi Hereu, Mayor of Barcelona; Antoni Castellà, Secretary of Universities and Research; Dídac Ramírez, President of ACUP; and Ana Ripoll, Rector of UAB.

In the chapter dedicated to the training of human capital in Catalonia, the authors recommend that the Spanish government set up measures to eliminate economic barriers for people from less advantaged social groups wishing to attend higher education programmes.

Regarding knowledge transfer, the report states that universities in Catalonia have progressed significantly in terms of knowledge generation, although improvements must be made in the dissemination of this knowledge. Authors point out that innovation models are focused on science and technology, but that there is limited mobility between universities in the fields of social and cultural innovation.

The report includes other recommendations with the objective of strengthening the role of universities within their surroundings, such as making it a priority to collaborate in local and regional development projects, rationalise academic offers and create more joint master's and doctoral degrees.

The report is part of the project Review of higher education and city development of Catalonia, which aims to help strengthen relations between universities and different economic and social agents.