Seville, 6 March 2025. The Conference of Rectors of Spanish Universities (CRUE) has launched the “Knowledge Transfer and Social Impact” project, an initiative aimed at highlighting the role of universities in generating and disseminating knowledge with a direct impact on society, the economy and the country’s sustainable development.
The presentation event was held this afternoon at Pablo de Olavide University (UPO) in Seville, which is hosting rectors from Spanish universities today and tomorrow on the occasion of CRUE’s first General Assembly of the year, to be held tomorrow. The project lead and Rector of UPO, Francisco Oliva Blázquez, presented the key elements of the initiative to the assembled rectors.
During his address, Oliva emphasised that “this project offers a unique opportunity to demonstrate how university research directly contributes to improving people’s lives, generating value for the economy and social well-being”. He also underlined that the initiative spans all disciplines, from Arts and Humanities to Engineering and Architecture, “ensuring that the knowledge produced by Spanish universities has a truly cross-cutting impact”.
The project aims to raise the visibility of knowledge transfer activities and their impact across different sectors, bringing universities’ work closer to society and strengthening links with companies and institutions. Investment in R&D in Spain has increased to 1.44% of GDP in 2022, with total expenditure reaching €19.325 billion. According to CRUE’s report La Universidad Española en Cifras, universities account for 80% of Spain’s scientific output, underscoring their key role in the country’s development. Over the past decade, scientific production has grown by 62%, consolidating Spanish universities among the most active in research. In addition, 66% of Spanish universities rank above average in terms of engagement with their surrounding environment, according to the U-Multirank ranking.
A Bridge between Researchers, Companies and Citizens
“Knowledge Transfer and Social Impact” is addressed to researchers, companies and society at large. For researchers, the project provides a platform to disseminate scientific advances and explore new collaborations. For companies, it represents a gateway to key innovations that enhance competitiveness. For citizens, it offers a window into the knowledge generated by universities and its real impact on everyday life.
In addition, CRUE has created a dedicated space on its website where projects from both public and private universities that stand out for their transfer potential and social impact will be showcased, with the aim of enhancing their visibility and recognition.
Project Monitoring Committee
The project, led by the Rector of UPO, Francisco Oliva, will be supported by a Monitoring Committee composed of experts in research and knowledge transfer, who will work in coordination with the CRUE Secretariat General to ensure its effective implementation and development. Members of the committee include José Manuel Pingarrón, Professor at Complutense University of Madrid; Belén Rubio, Coordinator of the Divulga Network and Vice-Rector for Research, Transfer and Innovation at the University of Vigo; and Salvador Coll, Coordinator of the OTC Network and Vice-Rector for Innovation and Transfer at the Polytechnic University of Valencia.
Through this initiative, CRUE reinforces its commitment to innovation and knowledge transfer, consolidating the role of universities as agents of social and economic transformation. The project also seeks to foster innovative initiatives and generate new opportunities for collaboration between academia and the productive sector across different fields.
