LUVic-UCC demands legislative recognition for its unique university model and increased public funding in the Parliament of Catalonia

The rector of the University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), Josep Eladi Baños, and the president of the Balmes University Foundation (FUBalmes), Albert Castells, appeared before the Research and Universities Committee of the Parliament of Catalonia last Tuesday. During their appearance, they took stock of the work done by UVic-UCC to date, and set out the institution's objectives and challenges, and the strategic lines for the future. The rectors in the Catalan University System make regular appearances before the Catalan Parliament in order to fulfil the mandate from their institutions.

During their appearance, the rector and president explained UVic-UCC's unique and exceptional university model, which they said "has become a driving force for knowledge and innovation for the region and the country, with an international profile." Today, they said, "it is the leading university in the Catalan university system in Central Catalonia, where it contributes balance, value and knowledge, and has a significant economic and social impact."

These statements are backed by figures including more than 13,000 students enrolled in official programmes this academic year, which amounts to an increase of 6% compared to last year, and 34% compared to 5 years ago; 42 bachelor's degree programmes, 18 university master's degrees, 10 advanced vocational training programmes, more than 450 lifelong learning programmes and 10 doctoral programmes, with more than 400 doctoral students enrolled this year, and 80 industrial doctorates. The University also has 25 research groups, 6 research centres and 17 chairs.

Recognition for a successful model

This "vocation of service to society, an international perspective, its unique character and successful profile make UVic-UCC a strategic factor in the country," they explained. This provided the backdrop for their appearance, during which they highlighted the need for Catalonia's institutions, starting with the country's Parliament, to acknowledge "the usefulness, strategic role and specific characteristics of UVic-UCC" in two ways. First, by ensuring that "they are taken into account and included in the future reform of the Catalan Universities Law." "It must reflect the unique nature of UVic-UCC compared to the other public universities in the Catalan system, because despite having a model that is different and unique, we have the same commitment to public service, and we perform the same role as the others," they explained.

Second, by providing UVic-UCC with greater public funding, which increases progressively and which enables a reduction in tuition fees for official programmes, basic funding for research,

better funding for investments, and a substantial increase in the amounts allocated to grants. "This is fair for the students and families in the region, because this guarantees territorial equity and balance," said the University's representatives. While the current programme agreement, which was signed in 2024, accounts for less than 15% of the total budget of UVic-UCC, the rector and president of FUBalmes estimated the demand for future funding at around 40 %.

The rector and president of the FUBalmes also explained that the future strategic challenges for UVic-UCC include the consolidation of the current number of students on official programmes; the consolidation of its research and knowledge transfer ecosystem, starting with providing the BETA Technology Center with its own legal status, as a preliminary step to making it eligible for more funding and enabling it to become a CERCA centre; the promotion of lifelong learning and postgraduate training, and the expansion of the facilities on its four campuses.

The appearance was streamed live on the Canal Parlament audiovisual platform, and can be seen here. The rector and president of the FUBalmes were accompanied by the presidents of all the UVic-UCC federated institutions: Marc Aloy, of the Bages University Foundation; Josep Arimany, of the Foundation for Advanced Health Sciences Studies, and Jordi Conejos, of the Elisava University School Foundation.

 directe pel Canal Parlament i es pot recuperar en aquest enllaç. El rector i el president de la FUBalmes han estat acompanyats dels presidents de totes les entitats federades a la UVic-UCC: Marc Aloy, de la Fundació Universitària del Bages; Josep Arimany, de la Fundació d’Estudis Superiors en Ciències de la Salut, i Jordi Conejos, de la Fundació Elisava Escola Universitària.