University of Barcelona participates in the 4th Conference of the Knowledge Transfer Offices of Catalan Universities
The University of Barcelona (UB) and the Bosch i Gimpera Foundation (FBG), the University’s Knowledge Transfer Office, took part on 2 July in the 4th Conference of the Knowledge Transfer Offices of Catalan Universities, held at the Barcelona School of Industrial Engineering (ETSEIB) of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC).
The event brought together more than 150 professionals from Catalan universities, institutional representatives and innovation experts to discuss the main challenges and opportunities in knowledge transfer.
During the conference, the latest activity figures for the Catalan university system in knowledge transfer were presented. In 2025, Catalan universities generated more than €522 million in R&D&I activities, created 17 new spin-offs, signed 42 new licensing agreements and filed 96 priority patent applications.
The figures also highlighted Catalonia’s leadership in the creation of technology-based companies, with one out of every three spin-offs established in Spain originating from Catalan universities.
The University of Barcelona played a prominent role in the session entitled “Dual-use Goods and Research Security”, featuring Ana Sánchez Cobaleda, Assistant Professor of International and European Union Law; Jordi García Fernández, Vice-Rector for Research at the University of Barcelona; and Lurdes Jordi, Director of Innovation at the Bosch i Gimpera Foundation.
The roundtable discussion addressed the European regulatory framework governing dual-use technologies and the mechanisms the University has implemented to ensure the responsible management of research, protecting research results and preventing potential misuse. The discussion highlighted that research security is becoming an increasingly important element of knowledge transfer strategies.
The conference also featured representatives from public administrations and European institutions, who agreed on the need to strengthen knowledge transfer as a driver of competitiveness, technological sovereignty and social well-being. Among the main challenges identified were increasing investment in R&D&I, promoting seed capital to support the creation of new companies, and consolidating mechanisms that enable research results to reach the market and society more rapidly.
The participation of the University of Barcelona and the Bosch i Gimpera Foundation in this event reaffirms their commitment to responsible knowledge transfer aimed at generating economic and social impact, as well as to collaborative efforts among Catalan universities to strengthen the region’s innovation ecosystem.