Òscar Saladié re-elected dean at URV: the challenges to modernize Tourism and Geography

Òscar Saladié Borraz has been confirmed as Dean of the Faculty of Tourism and Geography at Rovira i Virgili University for a second consecutive four-year term. This leadership renewal aims for academic modernization and greater student participation in university life and center management.

Since 2022, Saladié has promoted several initiatives in both disciplines, with the goal of responding to the changing challenges of the tourism sector and the territorial challenges linked to climate change.

Challenges and news in the leadership of the Faculty of Tourism and Geography

What goals does Òscar Saladié’s new term set?

The main priority is updating the educational offer to better fit the needs of the sector and current environmental demands, especially for the Tourism degree and for Geography students. There is also a desire to increase student participation in university decision-making bodies and to energize academic and social life at the center.

How is internal center management intended to be improved?

Saladié proposes solving the shortcomings of technical and administrative staff, as well as strengthening collaboration with the Departments of Economics, Geography, and Business Management to open more full-time faculty positions, especially in basic subjects.

Highlights of the first term at the Faculty

What advances has Òscar Saladié promoted so far?

Among the most notable milestones is the accreditation of the two degrees and the introduction of the Dual Mention in Tourism and Hospitality Management, a pioneering modality in Catalonia and Spain. In Geography, project-based courses have been consolidated and the International Centre for Lifelong Learning in Tourism (ICLEAT) has been created.

How has the Faculty positioned itself internationally?

The FTG has organized international programs such as the Blended Intensive Programme with universities from Breda and the Côte d'Azur, and it hosts the University Research Institute on Sustainability, Climate Change, and Energy Transition (IU-RESCAT).

The team and the trajectory of Òscar Saladié

Who is part of the dean’s team for this period?

The new team is led by Vice Dean Jesús Angla and includes degree and master’s coordinators such as Coia Domingo, Joan Alberich, Salvador Anton, Benito Zaragozí, and Antoni Domènech, who bring experience in management and research.

What experience does Òscar Saladié bring to the URV and the community?

Graduated and PhD in Geography, Saladié is an associate professor and researcher in groups such as GRATET and IU-RESCAT. He has held positions such as degree coordinator, department secretary, and chair director. Additionally, he stands out for his career as a volunteer firefighter since 1993, currently serving as deputy chief at the Sant Jaume dels Domenys station.

Òscar Saladié’s renewal reflects a clear commitment to modernize the Faculty of Tourism and Geography, balancing academic innovation with community involvement and first-rate research. This second term is an opportunity to consolidate progress and face new challenges in a sector undergoing full transformation.

Source of the article: Rovira i Virgili University