Led by Jordi Alba, technical director of the Government of Catalonia’s Industrial Doctorate Plan, the session presented this still little-known model as a means of promoting applied research projects with real impact and fostering knowledge transfer between universities and businesses.

Industrial doctorates involve the development of a research project promoted by a company or institution in partnership with a university or research centre. This model helps doctoral candidates consolidate their research training in a dual environment, combining academic experience with the realities of the business world.

In this regard, Alba stressed that doctoral candidates represent a highly valuable asset for companies, as they combine technical expertise with transferable skills. “Integrating PhD holders into companies means bringing scientific rigour, methodology and innovative capacity to business processes and operations,” argued the speaker. The model also offers doctoral candidates high-quality training within the business environment, providing an experience focused on addressing real-world challenges.

Through practical cases and examples of active industrial doctorates across a range of fields, participants had the opportunity to learn about the calls available, eligibility requirements, procedures and funding mechanisms associated with this collaborative model.

UIC Barcelona currently supports four industrial doctorates in the fields of architecture and health, reinforcing its commitment to applied research and the transfer of knowledge to the productive sector.