On Monday 1 July, the fourth meeting between the University of Barcelona and related health institutions took place in the Dolors Aleu auditorium of the Barcelona Science Park, with the aim of strengthening ties and harnessing the power of this network. During the meeting, emphasis was placed on the great expectations of the Diagonal Health Axis project with the extension of the Park and the future building of the Clinical Hospital. 

Rector Joan Guàrdia stressed the extraordinary importance of the Diagonal Health Axis project and, in general, of the UB’s commitment to the health sector. “We need to be aware that we represent the most important network in Southern Europe in terms of innovation, research and training in health”, he reminded those present.

​​​​To carry out these ambitious projects in the field of health, Joan Guàrdia stressed the importance of the university and health institutions “aligning strategies and objectives”. In this line, he defended that the new Statute of the UB is an opportunity that is necessary to take advantage of to work in a network. The rector mentioned some challenges for the future, such as the role of associate lecturers, “which is far from what we need”.

The director of the Barcelona Science Park, Maria Terrades, and the deputy for coordination with the network of health institutions at the UB, Ricardo Casaroli, had previously opened the event, which took place at the Park. The Diagonal Health Axis was the subject of the first speech, given by Jordi Bosch, vice-manager of Strategic Projects of the UB. In his speech he illustrated with figures the power of the UB in the field of health and the great expectations that are opening up in this area of the city with the extension of the Park and the future building of the Hospital Clínic, as well as the connections with other urban areas such as the Mundet Campus, the Bellvitge Campus and Sant Joan de Déu.

​​​​​​​This was followed by the round table “The health challenges of artificial intelligence (AI) in a cybersecurity environment”. Jordi Vitrià, professor of Languages and Computer Systems at the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, spoke, pointing out the risks and barriers to the use of generative AI in the field of health, but concluded with a positive view of the opportunities it offers. Itziar de Lecuona, director of the Observatory on Bioethics and Law, dealt with the bioethical aspects of research and innovation in AI applied to health, mentioning specific aspects such as the current regulatory overproduction or the need for improvements in research ethics committees. Xavier Triadó, vice-rector for Digitalization Policy, focused his speech on cybersecurity policies that allow institutions to better protect themselves from cyber-attacks. He advised training and studying the weaknesses of each institution for better prevention, among other issues.

Trust, the key to successful partnerships