Josep Pallarès takes office as rector of the URV for six more years

Josep Pallarès took office as rector of the Rovira i Virgili University this Friday, renewing his mandate for six more years after having served the past four. The event, packed to capacity in the Paraninfo, was presided over by the Minister of Research and Universities, Núria Montserrat, who handed over the rector’s staff and medal as symbols of authority.

On this stage, the composition of the new Governing Team was also made official, with the swearing-in of the vice-rectors and other key members. The new mandate carries a monumental challenge: mobilizing more than 150 million euros to transform the URV and the territory that hosts it.

The speech that marks the path of the new mandate

A university with social and territorial impact

During his speech, Pallarès thanked those who placed their trust in him and presented the URV as a key piece for the progress of the territory. With a clear message, he defended a university that puts people at the center, that generates knowledge and transforms it into tangible opportunities.

He wants the URV to be an engine of business competitiveness, quality in public services, social cohesion, energy transition, health, culture, and collective well-being. In his words, a university that exerts a direct social impact and is an economic, social, and cultural engine.

Demanding more resources and a better-funded university system

The rector took the opportunity to ask for fairer funding for Catalan universities, demanding the attainment of 1% of GDP for higher education and research. He also called for the second PTGAS Shock Plan and more resources to attract and retain talent.

“There is no better future policy than investing in higher education, research, and innovation,” he stated, highlighting the need to strengthen the university at a time when competition and innovation are key.

The challenges and projects that will define the next six years

150 million euros to transform the URV

The new rector announced that the URV will work to mobilize more than 150 million euros for strategic projects. Among these stands out the relocation of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and the creation of a new health ecosystem in Bellissens.

Also included is the construction of new research spaces on the Sescelades campus, university buildings in El Vendrell and Vilafranca, a multipurpose building on the Catalunya campus, and the expansion of the Terres de l’Ebre Campus to integrate Medicine studies.

Modernizing spaces and addressing major social and technological challenges

The plan includes creating more modern, accessible, and sustainable learning and research environments. Pallarès emphasized the need to adapt to the revolution brought by artificial intelligence and rapid technological changes.

It is necessary to train professionals for jobs that do not yet exist and to address social, climate, and demographic issues that are already impacting society. The talent and work capacity of the URV community are, according to the rector, the best guarantee to face these challenges.

The new governing team and institutional support

Composition and key roles

In addition to Pallarès, several members of the new Governing Team have taken office. Anna Pallarès will be the general secretary and Elisenda Capella the manager. The vice-rectors in charge of strategic planning, academic organization, research, social welfare, digital transformation, innovation, infrastructures, among other areas, will also be part of the team.

Alongside the vice-rectors, commissioners focused on international networks, language policy, equality and diversity, social responsibility and sustainability, culture, and institutional support are joining.

Institutional support and commitment to the territory

Minister Núria Montserrat described Pallarès’ reelection as recognition for the work done and a boost to keep moving forward. She promised the complicity of the Catalan government to help the URV grow and increase its territorial impact.

Josep Poblet, president of the Social Council, placed the institution at the rectorate’s disposal and reminded that the wide electoral victory is the compass that should guide a crossroads moment for the university and the country.

If the URV was already an engine, it now seems ready to shift into full gear. And this is only six years into his first second mandate.

Source of the article: Rovira i Virgili University