The Rector takes part in the commemoration of the centenary of the city of L’Hospitalet
PRESS RELEASE
Yesterday afternoon, the Teatre Joventut in L’Hospitalet de Llobregat hosted an afterwork event organized by El Periódico to mark the city’s centenary. The rector of the University of Barcelona, Joan Guàrdia, took part in the opening discussion with the Catalan Minister for Economy and Finance, Alícia Romero, moderated by the deputy editor of El Periódico, Gemma Martínez. The conversation focused on the historical trajectory of L’Hospitalet — officially recognized as a city on 15 December 1925 — its role within the metropolitan context, and the major economic, urban and social challenges it faces.
Yesterday afternoon, the Teatre Joventut in L’Hospitalet de Llobregat hosted an afterwork event organized by El Periódico to mark the city’s centenary. The rector of the University of Barcelona, Joan Guàrdia, took part in the opening discussion with the Catalan Minister for Economy and Finance, Alícia Romero, moderated by the deputy editor of El Periódico, Gemma Martínez. The conversation focused on the historical trajectory of L’Hospitalet — officially recognized as a city on 15 December 1925 — its role within the metropolitan context, and the major economic, urban and social challenges it faces.
The UB’s participation in the event is part of its long-standing collaboration with the city, which is home to the UB’s Bellvitge Campus, where the Faculties of Medicine and Health Sciences and Nursing are located. Since 1979, health education and research have been carried out there in close collaboration with the Bellvitge University Hospital and other leading centres, such as the Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO) and the Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL). Collaboration between the UB and L’Hospitalet will be further strengthened by the major healthcare project represented by the Diagonal Health Axis, which will connect the future UB Clínic Health Campus with the Innovation and Health Biocluster.
“The BioCluster project, the Diagonal Health Axis — said the Rector — is the result of the work of many institutions. L’Hospitalet is becoming a key part of this axis in southern Europe in health research and education, the second innovation hub in Europe after the Karolinska Institute.”
Regarding the growth and development of this solid, dynamic, and strategic health and biomedicine ecosystem, the Rector emphasised: “Our duty, as a public university, is to act as a social elevator and to create spaces. As soon as possible, we must be able to install signs in these spaces that highlight the value of collaborative work. When there is a project, capacity, and will, administrations deliver results.”
The Minister Alícia Romero, echoed the words of Rector Guàrdia, highlighting the important role played by L’Hospitalet: “It is Catalonia’s second economic engine and contributes to the country’s growth with projects capable of attracting talent. It is important for a city as densely populated as this one to recognize the economic impact it generates, including within its own territory.” Romero also stressed the importance of “cities having vision and ambition”: “L’Hospitalet — she remarked — has set out on this path, and having a university, a cathedral of knowledge, is a jewel. L’Hospitalet has it and is making the most of it with projects such as Bellvitge, the BioCluster, and the new Clínic. As a key player, it collaborates and contributes to a project that is a benchmark in the country and in southern Europe.”
The event also featured a conversation between journalist and editor of the literary supplement Abril, Álex Sàlmon, and emotional educator and director of Granja Escuela, Cristina Gutiérrez, who discussed how education and culture can become levers for local transformation in an evolving urban environment. The closing ceremony was led by Albert Sáez, director of El Periódico and director of content at Prensa Ibérica, and David Quirós, mayor of L’Hospitalet, who reflected on municipal management of growth, social cohesion, and the policies and projects for the future that the city must implement in the coming years.
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