€26.4 million more to be invested in Catalan Universities

The Catalan Government has decided to increase its investment in the infrastructure and equipment of public universities by €26.4 million. In a context of public spending restraints, the government has decided to boost investment in universities in an attempt to consolidate and upgrade the quality of the education system in Catalonia

The government has approved a modification to the Plan of Investment in Public Universities of Catalonia (2007-2013) and expects to spend up to €661 million on infrastructure and university equipment. Originally, the executive had planned to invest €635 million.

The money will help to build a new building for the Law and Pharmacy Faculties of the University of Barcelona (UB), the enlargement of the Veterinary Hospital of the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) or the construction of the new campus of the Catalan Polytechnic University (UPC).

The funds will also contribute to the building of a new communications campus for the University Pompeu Fabra in the financial and research cluster of 22@, in Barcelona.

The universities of Lleida, Tarragona and Girona will also be upgraded as significant projects are in place to construct new buildings and improve the quality of equipment in these centres.

In Girona, for example, there are plans for a Research Medical Centre linked to the Hospital Josep Trueta. From an investment perspective, these are exciting times for Catalan universities.