La Universitat Jaume I consolidates the strategy to convert podcast in a technological and innovation connector between the University, the business community, public administrations and society to face the current crisis from a collaborative perspective, as detailed yesterday by the rector Eva Alcon, who accompanied the Minister of Sustainable Economy, Productive Sectors, Commerce and Employment, rafael climent, on a visit to the UJI Science and Technology Park. The visit also included the participation of the vice-rector for Research and Transfer, Jesus Lancis; the general director of Internationalization, Maria Dolores Parra; the deputy vice-rector for Transfer, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, david cabedo, and the director of Espaitec, Juan Antonio Bertolin.
Alcon stressed that «innovation and technology are two strategic instruments to overcome the economic crisis caused by the pandemic and face with guarantees a future marked by digital transformation, the green transition and a new economic model based on knowledge. Espaitec, therefore, has a key role in enhancing its role as a reference technological “hub” in the area of influence of the UJI.
For his part, the Minister of Sustainable Economy, rafael climent, pointed out that science parks are "innovation incubators where scientific and technological-based projects are created and mature." "The innovation -Climent added- "It is the best strategy for business growth and competitiveness and science parks are key in the transfer of innovation from universities to companies.". In this sense, the head of Economy highlighted that in 2021 his department, through the Valencian Institute of Business Competitiveness (IVACE), will allocate 11% more budget (167 million euros) to promote innovation with special attention to knowledge transfer, digitalization, research and technological development.
The institutional visit began with a presentation of Espaitec by its director, Juan Antonio Bertolin, who explained the commitment to position itself as a facilitating element between entrepreneurs, technology companies, the university system and innovation. Bertolín was also in charge of guiding the visit to the FabLab, a laboratory focused on prototype design that was promoted with an initial grant from IVACE.
The councilor was also presented with spin off of the UJI, SemanticBots, company dedicated to the design and development of conversational platforms based on chatbots with artificial intelligence. The CEO, Hugo Ferrer, also highlighted that SemanticBots developed Sayobo, first inclusive chatbot adapted to people with vision problems with the aim of facilitating access to information and digital procedures for people with some type of visual disability.
Subsequently, they moved to the work areas of UJI MotorSport y UJI Racing Team where they were able to learn about the singularities of these projects developed by UJI students (a car and a competition motorcycle, electric in the case of the motorcycle), by Miguel Tamaral y Angela Berlanga, accompanied by the supervisor of Formula Student, Javier Andrés y Raul Sorianorespectively.
Finally, they visited the company facilities Biotics, specialized in performing rapid legionella tests, where they were received by the CEO of the company, Immaculate Solis, and the director of R&D&i, Guillermo Rodriguez. The rector of the Universitat Jaume I thanked the councilor for his visit to Espaitec and conveyed to him the desire to strengthen collaboration with the Department to continue promoting innovative and technology-based projects that multiply the opportunities of the territory and its productive fabric.
