The ANECA Meeting kicks off as part of the Menéndez Pelayo International University summer program

This morning in Santander, the ANECA-organized meeting “Knowledge Transfer and Exchange for the Creation of Social Value” kicked off. The program aims to promote debate with institutions and the university and research community through the exchange of ideas and experiences from different perspectives.

At the opening ceremony, Carlos Andradas, rector of the UIMP, highlighted the role of ANECA in the university system and the importance of collaboration between evaluation agencies and universities to promote quality. He also pointed out how projects such as the evaluation of transfer activity can bring about major changes in the education system and the culture of knowledge.

Pilar Paneque, director of ANECA, emphasized the importance of the participation of the university community and active listening on the part of ANECA for the development of evaluation programs, as reflected in the reform of research evaluation and the state accreditation system for university teaching staff, as well as in the review of the teaching quality evaluation program and, currently, in the definition of a new framework for the evaluation of transfer activity.

Teresa Riesgo, Secretary General for Innovation at the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities, has stressed the need to consider a broad definition of transfer that encompasses all areas of knowledge, and has pointed out the challenge involved in the social valorization of knowledge to encourage transfer.

The rest of the day will feature Asunción Fernández Carretero, Head of the Industrial Strategy, Capacities, and Technology Transfer Unit at the European Commission's Joint Research Center; Elisa Rivera,Director General of Planning, Coordination, and Knowledge Transfer; and Fernando Mérida, Deputy Director General of Transfer, both from the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities.

To conclude Monday's session, participants will attend a round table discussion, moderated by José Luis Aznarte (ANECA), with contributions from Susana Elena-Pérez, senior researcher at the European Future Innovation System (EFIS); Ángela González, Executive Secretary of the R&D&I Sector of CRUE; and Marcos Palomo, Deputy Director General of Public Research Organizations and Entities of the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities.

This course, aimed at universities, public research organizations, and entities in the science and innovation ecosystem, will end on Wednesday, the 23rd, after three days of participation and active debate.