TECNALIA and UPV/EHU launch their first technology classroom in Gipuzkoa

• This Technology Classroom will be used to carry out undergraduate dissertation projects, master’s dissertation projects and doctoral theses co-directed by TECNALIA staff, as well as training in entrepreneurship, among other activities
• The signing of the agreement for its implementation was carried out today in Donostia-San Sebastián by the CEO of TECNALIA, Iñaki San Sebastián, and the Vice-Chancellor of the UPV/EHU, Agustín Erkizia

23 September 2019. The University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) and the TECNALIA research and technological development centre take another step forward in their strategic collaboration relationship with the opening of a Technology Classroom at the Gipuzkoa Campus. This new Scientific, Technological and Academic Collaboration Agreement falls within the Framework Agreement signed by both organisations and its signing took place this morning between Iñaki San Sebastián, CEO of TECNALIA, and Agustín Erkizia, Vice-Chancellor of the UPV/EHU Gipuzkoa Campus.

The educational space will serve to promote learning and research collaboration in advanced concepts and technologies among the eleven centres that make up the Gipuzkoa Campus and thus boost the training of professionals of excellence.

The TECNALIA Technology Classroom will be open to all areas of the Gipuzkoa Campus. The centres and research groups identified a priori as preferential for the development of the activities of the Classroom are: the IT Faculty (Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence; Systems Engineering), the Faculty of Engineering (Electricity and Electronics; Chemical and Environmental Engineering), the Faculty of Chemistry; and the Faculty of Economics and Business, where it will be physically located.

The collaboration themes and university centres involved will respond to the mutual interests identified at any given time. As a starting point, the following research themes are a priority: Polymer-based materials, Cement-based and eco-cement nanomaterials, Advanced robotics and autonomous systems (drones), Smart systems (Artificial Intelligence, Deep Learning and Data Analytics), Control systems (Industrial electronics); and Cybersecurity.

Agustín Erkizia, Vice-Chancellor of the Gipuzkoa Campus of the UPV/EHU, stated that ‘we are confident of the synergy of this action because, among other objectives, it will make it possible to detect and nurture the talent of our students. It will link it to projects promoted by a leading organisation in the field of R&D and innovation, thus contributing to the development, not only of the two organisations, but also of society as a whole.’

Iñaki San Sebastián, CEO of TECNALIA, stressed that ‘this new TECNALIA Technology Classroom at the Gipuzkoa Campus is a clear example of how the University of the Basque Country and TECNALIA are collaborating in the development of the talent that will make us more competitive. This is a step further in our collaboration agreement, the result of the effort between two leading Basque R&D and innovation organisations, which is having a highly positive impact both for the two parties and for society in general.’

The main activities to be carried out in this TECNALIA Technology Classroom will be:

• Teaching collaboration and internship learning spaces.
• Encouraging joint participation in R&D projects
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• Development of scientific research or technological development programmes and projects
• Shared and continuous training of research staff through collaboration in Doctoral Theses, Master's or Undergraduate Dissertation Projects that are developed at the centres of the Gipuzkoa Campus.
• Promoting and favouring the activity of Joint Research Laboratories in which research teams from the Campus centres and TECNALIA participate.
• Fostering the development of a professional career in TECNALIA for students who participate in the activities of the Technology Classroom.
• Promoting the recognition as Collaborating Research Staff of the UPV/EHU and as Research Staff Associated with TECNALIA of the people who collaborate within the framework of the Technology Classroom.
• Joint development of scientific-technological publications.
• Development of shared Industrial Property.
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• Entrepreneurship and exploitation of Industrial Property.
• Joint development of technology transfer activities.
• Use of the facilities and equipment provided for either side.

COLLABORATION IN EDUCATION, TRAINING AND RESEARCH

In 2018, UPV/EHU and TECNALIA sealed this collaboration with a new framework collaboration agreement, the aim of which is to foster an open and integrative relationship that benefits the whole Basque Science, Technology and Innovation System to maximise the impact on society.

Jointly, they foster activities related to training, research, transfer, innovation and knowledge dissemination through cooperation spaces, known as knowledge hubs, in relation to the great challenges faced by society and aligned with the Basque Smart Specialisation Strategy.

The implementation of the new TECNALIA Technology Classroom at the Gipuzkoa Campus is another step in the collaboration between both entities which has been in place for years and has strengthened and increased through the development of the Euskampus International Campus of Excellence.

The new Classroom joins the rest of the TECNALIA Technology Classrooms already underway at the UPV/EHU, the first dedicated to Engineering (with 18 years of activity), the second to Economics and Business, and the third to Science and Technology. 

ABOUT UPV/EHU

The University of the Basque Country is ranked among the Top 500 universities in the world, according to the Shanghai ranking. It has over 43,000 graduate and post-graduate students, and employs more than 7,400 people in higher education, research and transfer. It is the main research agent in the Basque Country. www.ehu.eus 

ABOUT TECNALIA

TECNALIA is a leading Research and Technological Development Centre in Europe, with 1,400 experts representing 30 different nationalities, focusing on transforming technology into GDP to improve people's quality of life, by creating business opportunities for companies. www.tecnalia.com