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Horizon 2015 is a project to improve teaching and research in accordance with the principles of interdisciplinarity, internationality and social involvement.

Photo: Manuel Castells

The University of Navarra-Horizonte 2015 project passed in October the first phase of the Campus of International Excellence call, promoted by the Ministries of Education and Science and Innovation. Today, the 25th, along with 17 other candidate universities, it will be presented to the next phase, which consists of defending the project before an international commission formed by 9 experts. The event will take place in Madrid.

The University of Navarra has projected Horizon 2015 to improve its teaching and research according to three principles: interdisciplinarity, internationality and social involvement. In teaching, a series of measures are included to improve the implementation of undergraduate degrees, since the University has adapted its entire academic offerings to the European Higher Education Area. It is also intended to strengthen its international profile, in order to achieve, among other objectives, a 25% of foreign students, compared to the current 14%.

With respect to research, among other initiatives, centers dedicated to social sciences, bioengineering, neglected diseases and nutrigenomics will be set up. Likewise, as a way of creating wealth and employment in society, a business incubator is planned to generate business initiatives based on research results. In addition, a 9,000 square meter Museum of Contemporary Art will be built, which will be open to the public.

The Navarre delegation

The delegation that will defend the project will be headed by the rector, Ángel J. Gómez-Montoro. Also participating will be María Iraburu, Vice Rector for Students and University Extension, who will present the project to the jury; Alfonso Sánchez-Tabernero, Vice Rector for International Relations; and Fernando de la Puente, Director of R&D at the University of Navarra.

This group will be supported by authorities of the region, who will travel to Madrid that day, such as Álvaro Miranda, Vice President of the Government and Minister of Economy and Finance; Alberto Catalán, Minister of Education of the Government of Navarra; Roberto Jiménez, Secretary General of the PSN; José Iribas, Deputy Mayor of Pamplona City Council; José Manuel Ayesa, President of the Confederation of Entrepreneurs of Navarra; José María Aracama, Director General of Sodena; and Pedro González, Director General of Universities.

As is known, the Ministry's call establishes as an objective "to place Spanish universities among the best in Europe, and to support the promotion and consolidation of the strengths of Spanish universities as a whole, reinforcing their diversification. It also aims to address challenges such as attracting the best students and researchers and the competition to locate scientific facilities and companies with high added value in the surroundings of university campuses".