A bimonthly publication of AQU Catalunya

46

January 2010

The new Director of AQU Catalunya has been appointed by the Minister for Innovation, Universities and Enterprise, Josep Huguet, at the proposal of the Agency's President, Joaquim Prats, and on the advice of the AQU Board of Management.

Josep Anton Ferré Vidal has a Doctorate degree in Chemical Sciences from the University of Barcelona and holds the Chair of Fluid Mechanics in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Rovira i Virgili University. In addition to his work in teaching, he also has an extensive career in the field of research: he has participated in over forty research projects, of which he has led eleven; he is the head researcher of a consolidated research group; and he has directed five doctoral theses. He has also published forty articles in scientific journals and monographs and presented sixty-seven papers in congresses.

Prior to his appointment as AQU Catalunya Director, Mr. ferré Vidal held the posts of Vice-rector (Deputy to the Vice-Chancellor) for Transfer and Innovation at the Rovira i Virgili University and Director of the same university's Foundation. Prior to this, he was the Director-General for Catalan Universities (Government of Catalonia/Generalitat de Catalunya), Vice-rector for Teaching and Research Staff, Vice-rector for Economics and Organisation, Director of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Director of the University College of Chemical Engineering (Escola Tècnica Superior d'Enginyeria Química) and the University College of Engineering (Escola Tècnica Superior d'Enginyeria), all at the Rovira i Virgili University.

The AQU director is the Agency's Chief Executive Officer and has full capacity to represent the Board of Management with regard to the execution of all agreements adopted by this body. The director's functions include the organisation, administration and inspection of services provided by the Agency, pursuant to the guidelines laid down by the Board of Management. He/she is also the Agency's legal representative and has the responsibility to carry out and ensure compliance with agreements by the Board of Management and its Standing Committee.

At the same time, Mr. Ferré Vidal has also been appointed Chairman of the AQU Quality Assessment Commission

 Resolution IUE/3198/2009, dated 10 November, concerning the designation and appointment of the Director of the Catalan University Quality Assurance Agency/AQU

 Resolution IUE/3199/2009, dated 10 November, concerning the appointment of the Chairman of the AQU Quality Assessment Commission

 Summarised curriculum