The Minister of Science, Innovation and Universities in office, Pedro Duque, has inaugurated in the Palacio de la Magdalena, in Santander, the Summer Courses 2019 of the Menéndez Pelayo International University (UIMP), which will run until September 13.
The Summer courses of the UIMP, institution under the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, this edition includes a total of 135 advanced courses, all of high academic and scientific quality and with an outstanding international presence, hallmarks of the UIMP.
During his inaugural speech, Duque praised the interdisciplinary commitment of the courses of the UIMP and his excellent training offer in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence or personalized medicine. He has also endorsed the management of the rector María Luz Morán Calvo-Sotelo at the head of the institution and has affirmed that his plans for the UIMP will allow the university to be more modern, offer courses of high academic quality and continue to contribute exceptionally to the dissemination of science that takes place in Spain.
The minister has described the university system as one of the greatest successes of Spanish society in the last 40 years and has highlighted the success that supposes that eleven Spanish universities have been selected by the European Commission to be part of the first 17 'European Universities'.
Despite this, Duque explained that there are many things to improve, so it has influenced the need to develop a new Law of Universities that facilitates the rejuvenation of the staff and stability of teachers and young researchers, promotes models of university centers excellent and differentials, stimulate cooperation between universities or reinforce the connection of training with the needs of the labor market. It has also highlighted the need to reform in depth the Statute of Teaching and Research Staff, modernize curricula and qualifications and, ultimately, carry out the improvements needed by an advanced university system.
Finally, Duque has expressed its firm commitment to the State for Science pact, with the main objective of ensuring a sustained increase in R & D & I funds.
The minister has been accompanied by the rector of the Menéndez Pelayo International University, María Luz Morán Calvo-Sotelo, the Secretary of State for Universities and R + D + I, Ángeles Heras, and the director of the Cervantes Institute, Luis García Montero, in charge of the inaugural lesson.