At a session held yesterday, the Board of Governors at Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) agreed that the elections for the new rector of the institution will be held between 17 and 20 February. The approved calendar means that the electoral period will begin on 17 January with the publication of the electoral roll. The deadline for nominations will be 31 January and the approved nominations will be announced on 7 February. Subsequently, the electoral campaign will run from 7 to 16 February, and the following day will see the start of the voting period, which will be held between 17 and 20 February. On 20th, the votes will be counted and on 27th, either the winner or, if applicable, the two candidates going through to the second round, will be announced.

The voting procedure will be entirely electronic, as was the case in the previous elections. The vote weighting percentages of the different electoral colleges are as set out in article 51.2 of the UPF statutes.

Oriol Amat recalled that one of his main working criteria is “the permanent accountability of the governing team” and he highlighted his policy of “zero distance” from the entire community in order to learn first-hand of any situation, proposal for improvement or problem that may arise”

The Board of Governors also approved, with 93% in favour and none against, the management report presented by rector Amat. The document validated yesterday sets out the main strategic actions carried out by UPF during the 2021-2022 academic year around the rector’s lines of action: research, transfer, learning, social commitment and sustainability, interaction with society, an integrative project and open innovation for organization and management. In addition, the report also includes actions carried out in specific areas, such as internationalization, infrastructure, culture, organization, funding, institutional relations, and the impact of mental health and covid on the university community.

During his presentation, the rector expressed his gratitude for “the work and collaboration of the entire university community to achieve the main goals”. Oriol Amat also recalled that one of his main working criteria is “the permanent accountability of the governing team” and he highlighted his policy of “zero distance” from the entire community in order to learn first-hand of any situation, proposal for improvement or problem that may arise.

Among the milestones achieved, in the field of research, the success of the Horizon Europe programme stands out as a result of UPF’s leadership in scientific policy during recent years, the final push for the Mercat del Peix project (of which the first stone will soon be laid) and the highly active participation in the The Guild research network. This past year, the governing team has also put special emphasis on social engagement and sustainability, with its commitment to the cross-cutting Planetary Wellbeing project and research linked to such principles.

In relation to transfer, the rector highlighted the creation of the UPF Knowledge project, the promotion of business chairs, entrepreneurship subjects and the creation of a specific vice-rector’s office in this area. With reference to teaching and learning, Oriol Amat also highlighted that the governing team has promoted the EDvolution pilot plan, with a total of 88 subjects already included in the project, and the creation of the Learning Lab. Still with regard to teaching, the report underscores the creation of the commissioner for Language Policy to strengthen the presence of Catalan in all aspects of University life.

Finally, in relation to internationalization, the rector stressed that UPF will be the coordinating university of the new Eutopia More project, the creation of the International Advisory Council and participation in the organization of the THE European Universities Summit. Still concerning the international sphere and the university’s reputation, UPF has maintained good positions in the various benchmark rankings, such as the Shanghai, the QS or the Times Higher Education classifications.