Xavier Prats-Monné, general director of Education and Culture at the European Commission, highlights the efficiency of the Catalan universities fundrising during the economical crisis

On June 9, an opened working session with Xavier Prats-Monné, general director of Education and Culture at the European Commission was held. The maing goal was to learn more about the current priorities of the European Commission in the field of higher education and research. The event took place in the University Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona.

During the session, Prats-Monné explained details about Investment Plan of the European Commission, policies and priorities of the current term of President Jean-Claude Juncker. The expert emphasized two instruments promoted by the European Commission: first, the HEInnovate as online self-assessment tool for innovation in European universities and, secondly, the European Institute of Innovation and Technology.

Likewise, the general director of Education and Culture at the European Commission stressed that the Catalan universities are leaders in attracting European funds. He added that the Catalan university system is very efficient when considered the funding received and its uses during the years of the economic crisis. For the audience or interested persons may learn more about the Investment Plan of the European Commission and have a more panoramic view of the situation, Prats-Monné recommended reading documents + Erasmus for all fields including general overview HE; Horizon 2020 presentation; Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions and consultation of web indicators U-Multirank.

The speech was followed by a discussion with over sixty participants from public universities (most of which vicerectors of, international relations, research and knowledge transfer, and directors of departments and units, all of them interested in EC priorities for higher education and research). Representatives of the Government of Catalonia also attended.