The UAB is sad to announce the passing of former UAB Rector Carles Solà
Carles Solà Ferrando, professor of chemical engineering who served as rector of the UAB from 1994 to 2002, has passed away. The UAB extends its deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all those who knew and loved him, and expresses its deep sadness over his passing.
Solà earned his undergraduate and doctoral degrees in chemistry from the University of Valencia before developing his academic career at the UAB, where he spearheaded the creation of a chemical engineering department and undergraduate studies in biotechnology, which were pioneering in the country. He was a member of the Cellular and Bioprocess Engineering Group at tje UAB and his research focused mainly on the production of next-generation vaccines and on the optimisation of biological CO2 capture processes in the design of microalgae production systems for pharmaceutical and cosmetic use.
During his term in office, new academic and research centres were created, such as the School of Engineering, the School for Doctoral Studies and Continuing Education, the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology, and the Scientific Information Portal, and the university began the process of adapting to the European Higher Education Area. His tenure also saw the inauguration of the Plaça Cívica and the UAB Columns, a monument by Andreu Alfaro which has remained the University's identifying emblem.
Furthermore, his tenure as university rector was marked by budgetary tensions and the drafting and approval of the controversial Organic Law on Universities (LOU), which José María Aznar's government pushed through despite opposition from the majority of universities in Spain.
Institutionally, Solà served as Minister for Universities, Research and the Information Society of the Government of Catalonia under President Pasqual Maragall (2003–2006), a period during which he improved the university system's funding and Catalonia's research centre model. He was also a driving force behind the Catalan Association of Public Universities and the Vives Network of Universities, as well as the second president of the Conference of Rectors of Spanish Universities.
His numerous awards and distinctions included an honorary doctorate by the University of Southampton and the Chemical Engineering Medal from the University of Valladolid, as well as the Honour Medal from the Vives Network of Universities. In 2016, on the occasion of his retirement as an academic, the UAB paid tribute to Professor Solà at an institutional event held in the Rectorat building.
"Mentor, light, compass, and companion"
UAB Rector Javier Lafuente stated that his passing was "very sad news", recalling that Carles Solà was "a mentor who believed in me and gave me his full support when I arrived at the UAB as a very young man". He explained that Solà was also "a good advisor when I decided to run for rector", but above all, a "dear, fun-loving, and loyal friend". He summed up his qualities in four words: "mentor, light, compass, and companion." "For me", Lafuente concluded, "Solà was the most important rector in the history of this still-young university, which made a massive qualitative leap during his eight-year term."