The Board of Trustees (Patronat) is the maximum authority representing, governing and administering the Fundació per a la Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (Foundation for the Open University of Catalonia, FUOC), in accordance with Article 14 of the Statutes.
The FUOC Board of Trustees’ main functions are:
- To approve and, where necessary, modify the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (Open University of Catalonia, UOC) organisational and operational regulations.
- To appoint and dismiss the Rector and the General Manager.
- To approve the University’s budget and accounts.
- To approve the action plan presented by the Rector and evaluate the results.
The UOC Rector and FUOC General Manager attend the meetings of the Board of Trustees, in an advisory role.
Members of the Board of Trustees
Mr Pere Vallès, Chair of the Board of Trustees.
He holds bachelor's degrees in Economic Sciences and Law from the University of Barcelona. He is currently CEO of Exoticca, an organization that promotes the digital transformation of the tourism sector. He is an entrepreneur and investor with more than 20 years' experience leading technology companies.
Ms Núria Montserrat, Minister of Research and Universities, representing the Government of Catalonia.
She is a bioengineer specializing in pluripotent stem cells and the generation of complex multicellular systems to understand the development of disease in humans. As an ICREA research professor, she headed the "Pluripotency for Organ Regeneration" research group at IBEC. She is also a member of various scientific societies, including the European Society of Cardiology, the European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes and the Spanish Cell Therapy Network.
Ms Esther Niubó, , Minister of Education and Vocational Training, representing the Government of Catalonia.
She is the holder of a llicenciatura degree in Political Science and Administration from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, a master's degree in International Politics from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, a master's degree in Foreign Trade and International Economy from the University of Barcelona, and a master's degree in Public and Social Policies from the Pompeu Fabra University and the Johns Hopkins University.
Mr Josep O. Escardíbul, General Secretary of the Ministry of Research and Universities, representing the Government of Catalonia.
Holder of a PhD in Economics from the University of Barcelona and a Master's Degree in Industrial Relations and Human Resources Management from the University of Warwick (UK). He is a professor of economics and has published scholarly papers in national and international journals. He has also held various positions of responsibility in university administration.
Ms Maria Victòria Girona, Director General of Universities, representing the Government of Catalonia.
She is Professor of Physics-Chemistry and holds a doctoral degree in Pharmacy from the University of Barcelona. She has held the positions of associate dean, dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Vice Rector for Teaching Staff and member of the Board of Trustees. She has been the driving force behind the teaching innovation groups in the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Barcelona.
Ms Liliana Arroyo, Director General of Digital Society for the Ministry of Business and Labour, representing the Government of Catalonia.
Holder of a doctoral degree in Sociology from the University of Barcelona. She is an expert in digital transformation and social impact. She has worked at the i2cat Foundation as Innovation Manager in the Digital Technology Societies area, and as a lecturer and researcher at the ESADE Institute for Social Innovation.
Mr Pep Garcia, member of the executive committee of the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce. Chair of the Vallès Oriental section of the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce. Representing the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce.
He has a bachelor's degree in Economics and Business from the University of Barcelona and an MBA from IESE Business School. He is CEO and founder of Maxchief Europe, and president of the Foundation for Creativation. He also acts as an angel investor and mentor for young entrepreneurs in various entrepreneurship programmes.
Ms Teresa Cabré, representing the Institute for Catalan Studies.
Catalan linguist and philologist, professor of Linguistics and Terminology at Pompeu Fabra University, founder of TERMCAT and IULA. She is president of the Supervisory Council of TERMCAT and has received accolades such as the Narcís Monturiol Medal and the Cross of Sant Jordi.
Ms Helena Guardans, independent trustee. Non-executive president of Webhelp Spain.
Bachelor's degree and MBA from ESADE with a master's degree in Business Administration from New York University. She is non-executive president of Sellbytel Group Spain and has held positions as an independent director at Catalunya Banc, assistant general manager at Grey Spain and account manager at Vizeversa.
Mr Miquel Martí, independent trustee. CEO of Barcelona Tech City.
He graduated as an industrial engineer at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, holds an MBA from ESADE and has undertaken training in Team Management. Currently he is CEO of Barcelona Tech City, where he has led the development of Pier01 as a leading technology hub in Europe. Previously, he was director of the International Center for Scientific Debate at Biocat and held various positions at AIDIT and Mimaven Eléctrica.
Mr Josep M. Coronas, independent trustee. He is a partner in Coronas Advocats.
With bachelor's degrees in Economics and Law, he is a State lawyer and has held positions as general secretary of Abertis, secretary of the Regional Economic Administrative Court of Catalonia, director general of the Legal Office of the Government of Catalonia's Ministry of Economy and Finance, and is a member of several boards of trustees.
Mr Pere Fabra, general secretary of the UOC. He serves as secretary of the Board of Trustees.
Pere Fabra has been lecturer in Philosophy and Theory of Law in the Law and Political Science Department at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya since 1997. He has a doctorate in Law from Pompeu Fabra University and degrees in Law and Philosophy from the University of Barcelona. Before joining the UOC, he worked as a lawyer specializing in administrative law. He has carried out research at J.W. Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany, and been a visiting scholar in the Department of Philosophy at Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA.