Baños: "The UVic-UCC must make a new territorial redistribution of the country possible"

The new Rector of the University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), Josep-Eladi Baños, has taken office in a solemn ceremony in a packed Aula Magna at the UVic-UCC. Baños explained that he presented his candidacy as Rector of the UVic-UCC due to the institution's unusual nature: "it is the only Catalan university that was established under the auspices of the municipal councils and that remains directed by them." According to the new Rector, Vic and Manresa's identification with the University must lead to the development of a knowledge-based economy in central Catalonia that can make the central regions "a carrer and life opportunity." This would enable "a territorial redistribution - something that is particularly important for our country," says Baños.

In an emotional and very personal speech, the rector also said that the team at the UVic-UCC "has shown admirable resilience" and discussed the possibility of implementing a "twenty-first century educational model," as well as the other reasons that have led him to be the rector of the University. However, he believes that this will only be possible with additional resources, and maintained that the University needs them "after these years of constant and sustained effort" and "in order not to falter in its motivation and commitment."

The UVic-UCC - a factor in national reconstruction

The president of the Government of Catalonia, Quim Torra, emphasised the work of the UVic-UCC in giving "added value" to medium-sized towns and maintained that in this position, it has become a "factor in national reconstruction." He also assured the audience that the University "is ambitious to engage with the world in order to be a national asset." Finally, Torra appealed to the university community and to the students in particular to make the University into a "refuge for ideas and demands, and to never tire of demanding justice, freedom and democracy."

The president of the Board of Trustees and mayor of Vic, Anna Erra, said that rector Baños "is receiving a good legacy" from the previous rectors, who have been responsible for years of growth and consolidation of the University's strength. She also said that the new rector "has come to the University at a good time." Erra also referred to the federation with the Bages University Foundation, saying that "it makes us stronger, creates opportunities for young people and is crucial for the territory."

His predecessor in the post, Joan Masnou, assured those present that he felt very "honoured to have been rector of the University" and he thanked the Board of Trustees and the community for their support for the project of "acting as a bridge between two elected rectors." Masnou highlighted the University's "commitment" to the country and its citizens and maintained that the institution's task is "to restore links with the inland regions based on knowledge, and to educate citizens committed to the progress of central Catalonia."

A new medal design

The new rector formally took office by signing the acceptance document in the presence of the president of the Board of Trustees and the President of the Government of Catalonia, who also signed it. Torra then presented him with the rector's medal, which has been changed this year, with a new design by the jeweller Jordi Sala and the designer Ton Granero, who has changed the traditional square shape for a rounded outline. The general secretary of the UVic-UCC, Maria Àngels Crusellas, read the Board of Trustees' agreement to the appointment.

Baños was appointed on 17 December, after being selected from among 13 candidates, and receiving the support of 79.4% of the University Senate. The new rector is the UVic-UCC's sixth, continuing the legacy of Ricard Torrents, David Serrat, Assumpta Fargas, Jordi Montaña and Joan Masnou. They were all present at the ceremony and accompanied the new rector on the front row. Baños began his term of office on 7 January, taking over from Joan Masnou, who was acting rector for 6 months after Oriol Amat did not accept the position of rector for personal reasons.

Biography

Josep-Eladi Baños Díez (born Sabadell, 1958) holds a doctorate in Medicine and a professorship in Pharmacology from Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), and heads the Government of Catalonia's Margalida Comas Programme for teaching excellence at the Catalan universities ( 2017). He has been director of the Educative Research Group in Health Sciences since 2017, and in the field of management he was vice-rector for Teaching and Academic Planning (2005-2013) and vice-dean of the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences (2004-2005).

He is a leading figure in the field of teaching innovation, and he specialises in the application of problem-based learning models and the use of humanities (cinema, literature and television series) in teaching. He has authored or co-authored more than six hundred publications, of which seventy are in the field of university education. He has received several awards for teaching quality, including the third national prize for research and educational innovation from the Ministry of Education and Science (2006) and four Vicens Vives awards for teaching innovation from the Government of Catalonia (2005, 2009, 2013 and 2015).