The Minister Joaquim Nadal praises Vic and Manresa's successful university federation model

Last Friday, the Catalan Minister for Research and Universities, Joaquim Nadal, officiated at the first of the two events commemorating the tenth anniversary of the federation agreement between the Balmes and Bages university foundations to establish the University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia (UVic- UCC). The first of the commemorative events took place at the Manresa campus, and highlighted the contribution made by Catalonia's territorial universities to the country, based on the example of Manresa and Vic. In his speech, the Minister for Research and Universities announced that the programme agreement signed with FUBalmes, as the institution owning UVic-UCC, will be increased and that this increase in funds will have to be allocated to the Manresa campus. 

Last Friday, the Catalan Minister for Research and Universities, Joaquim Nadal, officiated at the first of the two events commemorating the tenth anniversary of the federation agreement between the Balmes and Bages university foundations to establish the University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia (UVic- UCC). The first of the commemorative events took place at the Manresa campus, and highlighted the contribution made by Catalonia's territorial universities to the country, based on the example of Manresa and Vic. In his speech, the Minister for Research and Universities announced that the programme agreement signed with FUBalmes, as the institution owning UVic-UCC, will be increased and that this increase in funds will have to be allocated to the Manresa campus. 

In addition to the Minister, the event was attended by the mayors of Manresa and Vic, Marc Aloy Guàrdia and Albert Castells Vilalta, and the rector of UVic-UCC, Josep Eladi Baños. As well as participating in the commemorative event, Joaquim Nadal visited some of the most emblematic facilities and services on the UVic-UCC campus in Manresa, including the Simulation Innovation Center (CISARC) and the science laboratory for children aged between 0 and 8 years old (Lab 0_6). 

The Minister of Research and Universities praised the unique and singular university model that defines Vic and Manresa - a model that he described as successful, and which makes a major contribution to the Catalan university model. According to Nadal, the UVic-UCC hybrid model provides the University with "flexibility and freedom", and is the result of a common goal "that puts an end to the inertia of headstrong individualism, and looks at geography from a broader perspective." He said that the agreement has been beneficial for both Vic and Manresa, as well as for Catalonia as a whole. Today, he said, "no one would know how or want to do without a university shared between Vic and Manresa."

Cohesion based on diversity

In his speech, the rector of UVic-UCC Josep Eladi Baños said that the agreement between the FUBalmes and the FUBages "brings together four federations that represent different histories and cultures, which decided to become a single university. Now we have to enable recognition of the UVic-UCC principles for all of them, while respecting each one's decisions. According to Baños, ten years after the agreement, the federation "has become a model of how things can be done outside the metropolitan area."
 
Looking to the future

Both the mayor of Vic, Albert Castells, and the mayor of Manresa, Marc Aloy, highlighted the success of the people who decided to create an agreement like this one ten years ago. According to Aloy, its results have been "marvellous" and it has shown that "we are better together, and working together has made us stronger." They also agreed that the model came about as a result of the vision of two foundations with a vocation based on municipal ties and public service.

According to Albert Castells, ten years after the agreement, "now is a time for debate and reflection on how we should continue UVic-UCC. It is our commitment, a territorial and strategic project for the country."

Ten years of a unique and pioneering agreement and an expanding project for the country

The agreement reached ten years ago to create a federated university structure between the Balmes University Foundation (FUBalmes), which was the institution that owned the University of Vic at that time, and the Bages University Foundation (FUBages), was a pioneering and unique agreement in the Catalan university system and in the country as a whole. Ten years later, UVic-UCC is experiencing a process of expansion and has succeeded in matching Catalonia's other territorial universities in terms of volume, knowledge and international recognition. 

The federation agreement has enabled UVic-UCC to grow in all areas: in its academic range, research activities, international agreements, funds in competitive calls and for grants, and in the size of the university community. In the 2014-2015 academic year (the year before the federation agreement) the total number of students from the two foundations was 15,223, and the number of students on official courses was 7,311. Last year, the two figures were 19,302 (26.8% more) and 10,723 (46.6% more), respectively, for UVic-UCC as a whole. This growth has been accompanied by an increase in the number of enrolled students from the University's immediate surrounding area. 

One of the first major joint milestones for the federation agreement was the expansion of the federation structure to include the Foundation for Advanced Health Sciences Studies (FESS) in 2016, which led to the launch of the Faculty of Medicine.  Other successes for the federation have been the creation of the Institute for Research and Innovation in Life and Health Sciences of Central Catalonia (IRIS-CC), the creation of new chairs and research groups, the development of the University's own model for the integration of advanced vocational training studies, and the creation of joint training programmes. 

The federation grew again in 2020, with the incorporation of the Elisava Foundation University School, which represented a new step forward for the project, providing expertise in new areas, such as design, and the opportunity to have a campus in Barcelona.  

A force for change for Central Catalonia

The federation agreement between FUBages and FUBalmes created a model of governance that was unprecedented in the Catalan university system. Ten years later, this model has proven to be flexible and adaptable to the needs and demands of the region, as shown by the growing number of agreements and initiatives undertaken with its economic, social and institutional fabric.  

The federation has been a force for change in the campuses and the cities of Manresa and Vic, and for Central Catalonia as a whole, which has received a boost and has benefited from new development opportunities, in addition to promoting the retention of talent. 

Institutional events to commemorate ten years of UVic-UCC

The event on Friday was the first of the two events commemorating this tenth anniversary. In the same week, on 30 January, marking the exact date of the signing of the federation agreement, the presidents of the two foundations and the mayors of the city councils of Manresa and Vic, accompanied by the rector of the University, were once again invited to the Catalan Parliament, as their predecessors were ten years ago, in a reception given by the president of the Catalan chamber Anna Erra. The event was attended by around sixty people who were involved in the federation process. 

The final commemorative event took place at the UVic-UCC Paranymph (Rambla de l'Hospital, 50) in Vic at 6 pm on Thursday 8 February. The event included a speech by Andreu Mas-Colell, who was the Catalan Minister of Economy and Knowledge when the federation agreement was signed, and a round table discussion with the general managers of the four institutions in the UVic-UCC federation: in addition to Jordi Baiget, from FUBalmes, and Antoni Llobet, from FUBages, Marina Geli, from the Foundation for Advanced Health Sciences Studies, and Javier Peña, from the Elisava Foundation, participated. The event, hosted by the journalist Albert Om, also included video screenings, live music and institutional speeches by the mayors of Vic and Manresa, and the rector of UVic-UCC.