The UAB achieves recognition for its pioneering role in the field of biotechnology

The bachelor's degree in Biotechnology was first offered in the 1998/99 academic year. The ceremony included the presemce of some of the lecturers who had formed part of the study plan committee: Francesc Gòdia, Josep Santaló and Oriol Cabré, and also of lecturer Julià Cufí, who at that moment was vice-rector for Academic Ordenance under Rector Carles Solà. Currently, biotechnology-the application of science and technology to live organisms and their cellular and molecular components with the aim of producing goods and services-is a constantly expanding field and plays a stategic role in the policies behind the creation of the UAB biocluster.

The BIOTEC 2025 offered several conferences on a variety of issues related to biotechnology and its applications, in addition to four plenary sessions offered by Michael Koepke, Fàtima Bosch, Amparo Querol and Alfonso Valencia. At the inauguration of the congress, UAB Rector Javier Lafuente recalled that the UAB had also been pioneer in the implementation of the first Faculty of Biosciences in Spain, in 2006. He also assured the audience that "biotecnhology represents a very relevant part of the impact and projection of the biofield" at the University. Núria Montserrat, Minister for Research and Universities of the Government of Catalonia, affirmed that biotechnology plays a "leading role in the innovation ecosystem of Catalonia", and particularly highlighted its effects in the health field, as was seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.