Alfonso Méndiz

Dr Alfonso Méndiz

Alfonso Méndiz, Rector of the International University of Catalonia and a Numerary Member of the Royal European Academy of Doctors (READ), signed on 3 March, together with Ágata Viloca, Director of Business Development at Arquia Banca, an agreement to jointly promote academic and scientific projects, with particular emphasis on the university’s Barcelona School of Architecture. The agreement between the two institutions will enable joint initiatives in education, research, and knowledge transfer, strengthening the connection between the university and the professional sector while creating new opportunities for students and professionals. Arquia Banca is an institution specialised in financial services for professional profiles.

Following the formalisation of the agreement, Méndiz and Viloca highlighted the importance of generating synergies that foster the development of innovative projects and provide value to both the university community and the professional sector. They emphasised that this agreement opens new opportunities for collaboration between the university and the professional environment, fostering projects that connect academic education with the real challenges of the labour market, enriching students’ experience and strengthening links with institutions that share the commitment to promoting knowledge and innovation.

“This framework agreement with the International University of Catalonia and the collaboration with the Barcelona School of Architecture reinforce our historic commitment to professionals from the very beginning of their careers. For us, it is essential to be present at the moment when future architects are completing their education and about to enter the professional world, accompanying them from their first steps and facilitating their transition into the professional market. We want to promote joint initiatives in education and knowledge transfer, contribute to their development and offer financial solutions adapted to this decisive stage of their careers,” said the Director of Business Development at Arquia Banca.

Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC)

Nmeseguer, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

This alliance establishes different forms of collaboration between the two institutions. Among them are the joint development of scientific programmes and specific projects, the organisation of courses, seminars and conferences, as well as cooperation in academic publications and the exchange of information and advisory support in areas of common interest. In addition, the agreement provides for the recognition of academic credits for training activities promoted by Arquia Banca that are relevant to students of the Barcelona School of Architecture. The signing of this agreement forms part of the university’s strategy to promote partnerships with institutions and companies that foster innovation, applied research and the training of professionals prepared to face the challenges of today’s social and professional environment.

The International University of Catalonia was founded in 1997 to offer high-quality university education and to promote research as a service to society. Closely linked to the business world and with a strong international orientation, it offers 16 undergraduate degrees, 17 double degrees, 45 international double-degree programmes, and a broad range of postgraduate programmes across its two campuses in Barcelona and Sant Cugat del Vallès. As part of its commitment to society, the university also operates three university clinics.

Méndiz served as Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Director of the doctoral programme at the International University of Catalonia, and throughout his extensive career as a lecturer, he has also taught at the University of Navarra and the University of Málaga. He has supervised 32 doctoral theses and published more than 120 specialised articles and 17 reference monographs in his main research fields, which include advertising, values education, and the social influence of audiovisual media. In addition, he has worked on international projects in cinema and communication. He analyses current affairs on his personal blog alfonsomendiz.com.