Created in 1998 through an agreement between the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - BarcelonaTech (UPC) and UNESCO, the CUDU has been a pioneer in driving innovation and social commitment in university governance and management. The Chair is now embarking on a new phase aimed at revitalising this leadership and consolidating itself as a leading hub for strategic dialogue between universities, institutional managers and social and economic stakeholders to address current and future challenges in higher education.

It aims to offer and share a global vision, comparative expertise and foresight to support institutional transformation processes at the UPC, across Spanish universities and with a special emphasis on Latin America through debate, training, consultancy and scientific knowledge. This work is carried out under the academic direction of Jasmina Berbegal, a professor at the UPC’s Department of Management, an expert in technology transfer and assistant vice-rector for University Policy. She is supported by a new advisory council, which will be established on 6 October. Chaired by Lluís Jofre Roca, a professor at the UPC’s Department of Signal Theory and Communications and emeritus professor, the council comprises renowned figures from academic, institutional and business spheres with established track records in leadership, governance and organisational and institutional transformation. 

UPC members include Rector Francesc Torres; Vice-Rector for University Policy Santiago Silvestre; Vice-Rector for International Policy Andreas Sumper; Gemma Fargas, director of the Centre for Development Cooperation and rector’s delegate in this area; Xavier Tort-Martorell, a professor at the Department of Statistics and Operations Research and professor emeritus; Joan Francesc Córdoba, technical director of the Institute of Education Sciences; and Aleida Giralte as project manager.

External academic members include Pilar Aranda (University of Granada), Josep Maria Garrell (European University Association), Carmen Pérez (Autonomous University of Madrid) and Carina Soledad (University of La Laguna). The business sector is represented by Elena Orteu from the Search & Drive consultancy and Mònica Sala from the telecommunications operator MasOrange.

Applications open for the postgraduate programme in Leadership and University Transformation

This new stage kicks off this academic year with the launch of the first edition of the postgraduate programme in Leadership and University Transformation, a pioneering initiative designed to equip management teams to guide academic institutions into the future. The 15-ECTS programme (74 teaching hours) will be taught through the UPC School from 20 January to September 2027, awarding a UPC-issued diploma of expertise. Applications are now open until all places are filled, with a 15% early bird discount available until 30 November.

First workshop on governance, strategy and sustainability

As part of these planned actions, CUDU Director Jasmina Berbegal is a member of the founding committee of the 1st Workshop in Governance, Strategy and Sustainability (GESS Workshop). This international initiative aims to generate debate and knowledge exchange on current higher education challenges, taking place on 1 and 2 October at the Universitat Politècnica de València in Alcoi (Alicante). The event will feature prominent international speakers, including Jasmina Berbegal, who will moderate one of the discussions; Laia Pagès, director of CARNET - The Future Mobility Research Hub; and UPC doctoral candidates.