The UB science faculties celebrate their 50th anniversary
“The history of this campus is not even 8% of the history of the University of Barcelona, an institution that is about to commemorate 575 years since its foundation, but its impact is enormous. Today, we are celebrating the immense transformative capacity that the fifty years of the UB’s science faculties have had, have, and will have”. These were the words of the rector of the UB, Joan Guàrdia, at the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the faculties of Biology, Earth Sciences, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics and Computer Science, which took place on Friday 30 May in the Aula Magna Ramon Parés at the Faculty of Biology.
“The history of this campus is not even 8% of the history of the University of Barcelona, an institution that is about to commemorate 575 years since its foundation, but its impact is enormous. Today, we are celebrating the immense transformative capacity that the fifty years of the UB’s science faculties have had, have, and will have”. These were the words of the rector of the UB, Joan Guàrdia, at the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the faculties of Biology, Earth Sciences, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics and Computer Science, which took place on Friday 30 May in the Aula Magna Ramon Parés at the Faculty of Biology.
The ceremony was presented by journalist Carla Turró. Amidst a large crowd, were teaching staff who have been part of the history of the faculties, as well as the current deans. The space was not only one of celebration, but also of remembrance, reflection and vindication of the decisive role of these centres in the progress of science and research over the years.
During the event, enriched with personal reflections of the participants, significant aspects such as the significant changes that have taken place in the field of research — from a more local activity to the current international projection — or the evolution of the presence of women in the university and in science were highlighted. “I remember that my faculty was mainly male, and women were present in the practical part”, said Maria Sarret, dean of the Faculty of Chemistry. “One of the most important changes is that we women researchers can now develop our life project, i.e. doing science and combining positions of responsibility with our personal lives. The faculty has been a life project for all of us here”, noted Rosina Gironès, dean of the Faculty of Biology.
The progress of each discipline, the increase in specializations and degrees and the exponential growth of knowledge are factors that have accompanied the evolution of scientific subjects in these faculties, changes that in this time have outlined new challenges and scenarios for professors. “The process of physically separating the UB’s science faculties has not meant isolating them”, said Albert Soler, dean of the Faculty of Earth Sciences, recalling the importance of scientific collaboration in a multidisciplinary environment.
It was also mentioned that it is necessary to cultivate a critical spirit and a sceptical attitude, to fight against scientific illiteracy and to transmit to society the value of the scientific method to contrast data, not to compete and to contribute to progress through science. Oriol Pujol, dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science — the only science faculty still located in the Historic Building — said: “We are in a time of narratives. Building knowledge is very costly; as scientists, we have to spend a lot of time creating a narrative that is true”.
The future scenario also outlines challenges, such as improving the recognition of university research, facilitating its management at the administrative level and strengthening transfer to society and the productive sector, without abandoning basic research. Throughout this present and future path, the deans agreed that sharing time and work with colleagues and learning from each other every day is part of the enriching personal balance of their experience at the head of the deans’ offices.
“The commitment to research and critical thinking must be renewed every day. We must be humble and listen, and be rebellious because we face uncomfortable questions that are necessary to advance science”, said Núria Montserrat, Catalan Minister of Research and Universities, who holds a PhD from the UB’s Faculty of Biology. She also highlighted “the great scientific legacy of the UB’s science faculties for new generations”.
Finally, the rector closed the event with a speech in which he recalled the relevance of all these faculties “to articulate a large ecosystem of research, assistance and knowledge in a public university structure”.
After the ceremony, the commemorative activities continued throughout the afternoon with an outdoor party. The university community, proud of building science for more than 50 years, enjoyed the end of the ceremony, which involved some music.
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