The Menéndez Pelayo International University (UIMP) has kicked off its summer courses 2024 with a ceremony that brought together various personalities and professionals. Among them was Silvia Aparicio, Vice Rector of Academic Planning and Faculty of the European University of the Atlantic (UNEATLANTICO), thus strengthening the ties between the two institutions.
The event was chaired by the rector of the UIMP, Mr. Carlos Andradas, who gave the inaugural lecture entitled “Quantum Technologies: dream or reality? This was given by Prof. Dr. Juan Ignacio Cirac, a renowned quantum physicist and director of the Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics in Garching, Germany. During his presentation, Cirac highlighted the advances and potential of quantum technologies, as well as the challenges still facing this emerging field.
The meeting was also attended by prominent authorities, including Ms. Gema Igual, Mayor of Santander; Mr. Juan Cruz Cigudosa, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Universities; Ms. María José Sáenz de Buruaga, President of Cantabria;
The speeches underlined the importance of higher education and scientific research for the development and competitiveness of the country, reflecting the commitment of the authorities present to support and strengthen academic institutions.
During the ceremony, Rector Carlos Andradas highlighted the uniqueness of the UIMP and called for a firm political and academic commitment to the full development of the institution. Andradas emphasized the need for a new legal framework, with more human and economic resources for the UIMP, an institution he defined as an “island of freedom”.
The president of Cantabria, María José Sáenz de Buruaga, expressed her support for the UIMP’s aspiration to move towards true university autonomy and called for more state resources for the institution. The mayoress of Santander, Gema Igual, also requested a firm commitment from the Spanish Government towards the UIMP.
The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Universities, Juan Cruz, highlighted the Government’s commitment to the UIMP and underlined the crucial role of the university in transforming society and improving social welfare.
On the other hand, it is worth mentioning the great relationship between the UIMP and UNEATLANTICO, with the presence of the rector and the vice-rector at the closing ceremonies of the Menéndez Pelayo International University, the attendance of Aparicio at the Severiano Ballesteros course organized by the UIMP or the intervention of the vice-rector of UNEATLANTICO in a course on Magellan-Elcano at the UIMP.