University of Rovira i Virgili

University of Rovira i Virgili (Catalan: Universitat Rovira i Virgili; IPA: [uniβəɾsiˈtad ruˈβiɾəj βiɾˈʒili]) is located in the Catalan cities of Tarragona, Reus, Tortosa Vila-seca, el Vendrell and Vilafranca del Penedès (Spain). Its name is in honor of Antoni Rovira i Virgili. It was created in 1991 by the Parliament of Catalonia from the existing university faculties and schools and it was named after Antoni Rovira i Virgili, a writer, historian and politician from Tarragona who was president of the Parliament of Catalonia in exile. The university states that its objective is to contribute to the social and economic development of the region. The URV has twelve faculties and schools throughout the region, as well as affiliated centres. There are nearly 60 undergraduate programmes and 60 master's degrees (many of which are inter-university), a doctoral programme and lifelong learning courses. Degrees 58 bachelor’s degrees 58 university master’s degrees 26 doctoral degrees 22 URV-specific postgraduate degrees History University education in the Tarragona area goes back to the 16th century when Cardinal Gaspar Cervantes de Gaeta founded a university to teach Grammar, the Arts, and Theology. This Universitas Tarraconensis was practically wiped out by the reprisals of Philip V after the War of Succession. University education did not return to the Tarragona area until the second half of the 20th century when three different paths converged to form the Universitat Rovira i Virgili: The Universitat Laboral (Technical College), created by the Ministry of Employment in 1956, started to teach technical courses for the first time in 1961–62 with specialties in mechanical, electrical and chemical engineering. It depended on the Terrassa School of Engineering. Later, in 1972, the title of "Engineer" was changed to "Technical Engineer", and the Universitat Laboral ceased to depend on Terrassa and dropped its mechanical and engineering courses. In 1973, the Universitat Laboral, now known as the University School of Industrial Engineering, became part of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. In 1971, the Universitat de Barcelona set up local branches of the faculties of Philosophy and Letters, and Sciences in the city of Tarragona. As early as 1972, a request was made to convert these branches into a university college so that they could provide complete first-cycle courses. In 1977, medical courses began in Reus, and in 1983 the Spanish Parliament established the Faculty of Philosophy and Arts and the Faculty of Chemistry in Tarragona. In 1991, the Catalan Parliament created the Universitat Rovira I Virgili from the university centers already existing in Reus and Tarragona and which depended on the Universitat de Barcelona. Since then, the university has gradually increased the number of courses on offer by creating such new campuses as Sescelades and Catalunya in Tarragona, and Bellissens in Reus. The rectors The first senate chose the philologist Joan Martí i Castell as its first rector. The first statutes were approved. The first Board of Trustees was chaired by Josep Maria Freixas. In 1994, the Ombuds Office was set up to defend the rights of the university community and self-regulate the institution. The rector is the highest academic authority of the University and is its representative. He or she has all the powers that are not expressly attributed to other bodies. Since its creation in 1991, this position has been held by the following people: Joan Martí i Castell: 1992-1998 Lluís Arola i Ferrer: 1998-2006 Francesc Xavier Grau i Vidal: 2006-2014 Josep Anton Ferré Vidal: 2014-2018 María José Figueras Salvat: 2018-2022 Josep Pallarès Marzal: 2022 - Affiliated and participatory research structures Catalan Institute of Classical Archaeology (ICAC) The Catalan Institute of Classical Archaeology is a public research centre created in the year 2000 by the Catalan Government and the Universitat Rovira i Virgili, with the participation of the Inter-university Council of Catalonia. Its activities focus on research, postgraduate education, and dissemination regarding classical civilization and culture. Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ) ICIQ is a public research foundation focused on chemistry, sustainable catalysis, renewable energy, and molecular medicine. Since 2014, ICIQ has been awarded three Severo Ochoa Excellence Accreditations. Catalan Institute of Human Palaeoecology and Social Evolution (IPHES) The Catalan Institute of Human Palaeoecology and Social Evolution is a transdisciplinary, advanced research institute that was founded in 2006. Its objectives are to carry out scientific research programmes in the earth and life sciences, promote their socialization and use the results in prospective social research of an evolutionary nature. Pere Virgili Institute for Health Research (IISPV) The Pere Virgili Institute for Health Research (IISPV) conducts health and biomedical research and offers research training through collaboration agreements with health institutions and the Universitat Rovira i Virgili. Catalonia Institute for Energy Research (IREC) The URV is a member of the IREC board, the aim of which is to contribute to the sustainable development of society and increase the competitiveness of companies through innovation and the development of new technological products. It is also involved in medium- and long-term research, and scientific development and technological knowledge in the field of energy. Rankings World University Rankings Young: 112 (2024) Times Higher Education Impact: 101-200 (2024) See also Joan Lluís Vives Institute List of early modern universities in Europe References External links Official site