The memorandum of understanding with Eurecat – the Technology Centre of Catalonia – signals RMIT’s strong commitment to Barcelona and serves as an alignment of like-minded organisations for cooperation across research, doctoral student training and industry engagement.
The applied cooperation in research will focus initially on lightweight, industrial AI, medical devices, water technologies, energy and quantum computing.
The Catalonia research centre also has research in other relevant areas for RMIT including tourism innovation and creative practices.
RMIT’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Global and Vice-President, Professor Peter Coloe, said the spirit of Catalonia as the industrial avant-garde of Spain, with a great tradition of scientific applied research, resonates deeply with RMIT.
“We know that partnerships and collaboration are core to progress and impact – and we’re proud to advance this with our new partner, Eurecat,” Coloe said.
"Eurecat, which is one of the leading technology centres in Southern Europe, brings together the expertise of 650 professionals across its 11 centres in Catalonia to support local and international companies through technology innovation and transfer.
“The RMIT and Eurecat partnership brings together two organisations with missions to make a positive economic and social contribution to the people, communities and countries where they operate,” he said.
The partnership also includes a co-location of both organisations at the Cornerstone complex in Barcelona’s innovation district 22@ in Poble Nou.
The signing of the memorandum of understanding took place online on 4 May with guests including the Australian Ambassador to Spain, Her Excellency Ms Sophia McIntyre; the Chief Executive Officer at the Catalonia Trade & Investment Agency (ACCIÓ), Mr Joan Romero; the Research General Director for the Government of Catalonia, Professor Joan Gómez Pallarès and the Vice-President & General Manager at HP 3D Printing Business Mr Ramon Pastor.