ICFO Welcomes the New Consellera of Research and Universities
Hble Gemma Geis visits ICFO in her first days in office to underscore support for a strong research system in Catalonia
June 08, 2021
The Hble Gemma Geis, Consellera of Research and Universities of the Government of Catalonia and Chair of the ICFO Board of Trustees, visited ICFO on Tuesday, June 8th accompanied by Maria Miranda Cuervas, Mayor of Castelldefels, Dr. Joan Gómez Pallarès, General Director of Research, and Lluís Rovira, Director of iCERCA.
The visit began with comments for members of the press in which Geis laid out her strategic vision for the area of research under the new government of Catalonia. “The pandemic has clearly demonstrated more than ever the importance of science. This government is committed to working hard to support researchers and our research system so that Catalunya can position itself beside the other leading countries in Europe in scientific advances,” she stated. To underscore her support, she affirmed her belief that research is a very secure investment for Catalonia; with each euro we invest earning a much higher return for society.
ICFO Director Lluis Torner responded, thanking the Consellera for the enormous honor of choosing ICFO as the first research center that she has visited. “ICFOnians are people with a vocation to make discoveries and to bring these discoveries to society and to the market- to hospitals, or companies that generate value and create jobs,” he commented. Referring to the government’s commitment to help our research system grow, he asserted that, “this is exactly what is needed.”
Following these comments, the visitors toured the facility, interacting with researchers, members of the Tech Transfer team, and the CEO of ICFO’s spin-off QUSIDE. They also learned more about ICFO’s efforts to support and nourish a diverse and inclusive environment where science can flourish, and were given a glimpse of the soon to be opened ICFO-West facility. The visit ended with a meeting with ICFO’s Steering Committee.
The visit began with comments for members of the press in which Geis laid out her strategic vision for the area of research under the new government of Catalonia. “The pandemic has clearly demonstrated more than ever the importance of science. This government is committed to working hard to support researchers and our research system so that Catalunya can position itself beside the other leading countries in Europe in scientific advances,” she stated. To underscore her support, she affirmed her belief that research is a very secure investment for Catalonia; with each euro we invest earning a much higher return for society.
ICFO Director Lluis Torner responded, thanking the Consellera for the enormous honor of choosing ICFO as the first research center that she has visited. “ICFOnians are people with a vocation to make discoveries and to bring these discoveries to society and to the market- to hospitals, or companies that generate value and create jobs,” he commented. Referring to the government’s commitment to help our research system grow, he asserted that, “this is exactly what is needed.”
Following these comments, the visitors toured the facility, interacting with researchers, members of the Tech Transfer team, and the CEO of ICFO’s spin-off QUSIDE. They also learned more about ICFO’s efforts to support and nourish a diverse and inclusive environment where science can flourish, and were given a glimpse of the soon to be opened ICFO-West facility. The visit ended with a meeting with ICFO’s Steering Committee.
Visit to Laboratory of ICREA Prof Hugues de Riedmatten