The UB takes part in the international course on biodiversity organized in Mexico by the Ibero-American Universities Union
This week the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) is holding, in its campus of Mexico City, a summit of the Ibero-American Universities Union (UIU) and the intenartional course on Biodiversity 2017. The UB is one of the participating entities in this course, one of the academic activities organized by the UIU over the year. The UIU is formed by the biggest five universities in Ibero-America: University of São Paulo, University of Buenos Aires, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Complutense University of Madrid and the University of Barcelona, with the support from Santander Bank. Training and research activities have been already set up.
This week the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) is holding, in its campus of Mexico City, a summit of the Ibero-American Universities Union (UIU) and the intenartional course on Biodiversity 2017. The UB is one of the participating entities in this course, one of the academic activities organized by the UIU over the year. The UIU is formed by the biggest five universities in Ibero-America: University of São Paulo, University of Buenos Aires, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Complutense University of Madrid and the University of Barcelona, with the support from Santander Bank. Training and research activities have been already set up.
The aim of the course on Biodiversity is to provide important knowledge on biodiversity preservation and gather lecturers and students from the five UIU universities to exchange and debate on ideas, concepts and methodologies for the study of biodiversity. Professor Xavier Sans, from the UB and director of the Biodiversity Research Institute of the University of Barcelona, took part in the planning of the course, carried out in the Institute of Biology of UNAM. The Vice-Rector for Outreach and Internationalization of the UB, Àlex Aguilar, will be one of the experts in the course and will give a seminar on the preservation of marine biodiversity.
The course includes guided tours in the National Biological Collection, the National Laboratory for Biodiversity, the Botanical Garden, the greenhouses of the Institute of Biology and the Pedregal de San Ángel Ecological Reserve, located in the University City. The Vice-Rectorʼs Office for Outreach and Internationalization of the University of Barcelona, through the Biodiversity Research Institute, announced grants for PhD students and students of postgraduate studies who are interested in these topics. The seven grants will be used to pay for the cost of the trip and the stay.
The future of biodiversity preservation is framed within huge changes caused by the global impact of human activity, in which humans have not only the ability to change their life but also the life of the planet. The future consequences of these changes are unpredictable in the entire planet, and in this scenario, it is important to look for alternatives in order to manage the biological richness.
Moreover, the course coincides with a meeting of the rectors from the member universities of the alliance and management of the university area of Santander Bank, chaired by Ana Botín, during which the rectors signed a collaboration agreement to continue with the task -already set up. Also, Santander Bank announced in the meeting in Mexico, the launch of the Santander X platform, an initiative that comes with the aim of being the major ecosystem of university entrepreneurship worldwide. This is a platform that will offer a collaboration network in which universities and entrepreneurs from around the world can collaborate, share ideas and knowledge and even attract investments. It will allow universities to share best practices, monitor entrepreneurship programs and measure their impact.