The Campus of International Excellence (CEI) programme, created in 2009, was part of the strategy for modernization, internationalization and commitment to the diversification of the Spanish university system designed by the Secretariat General of Universities. In the autumn of 2015, the CEI UPF - Icària project, coordinated by UPF, will present its final assessment of the main results achieved between 2010 and 2015.

At the three CEI calls held between 2009 and 2011, 32 projects were awarded of which half are in the framework of the regional call (CEIR). The projects have received overall funding of 687 million euros, mainly in the form of loans, to enhance activities in the field of teaching, research and transfer, internationalization and relations with the environment. In the case of UPF, the programme has contributed to the development of the new Research Park in Ciutadella campus. It has also enabled starting up several actions aimed at internationalization and has enhanced collaboration between the organs of the project's strategic alliance.

During the working session, the project representatives took stock of their respective CEI programmes. Among the main milestones, also supported by the International Committee which performs an annual follow-up of the projects, the specialization of the projects and the greater interaction by the universities with their environment (including other universities, knowledge stakeholders and enterprise) were highlighted. Also, all of the representatives of the programme underlined the need to keep the lines of State funding open and, at the same time, promote the much needed search for complementary funding on an international scale.

Work of reference:

• Workshop outcomes (draft): Balance and future perspectives within the Campus of International Excellence programme

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