Advisory Board

The FUOC's statutes and the law by which the University was founded specify that the FUOC should include an advisory body, which should seek to ensure that Catalan society is broadly represented in the way the UOC is run. In addition to its services, offering advice and a connection with society, the FUOC Advisory Board must provide information on the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya budget, its programmes, and the appointment of its rector.
 
The members of the Board include, alongside the rector of the UOC and the CEO of the FUOC, representatives from the Catalan Parliament, from Catalan university bodies, from business organizations and unions, from UOC Alumni, as well as other figures from the world of research and culture. As such it provides a broad representation of Catalan society, which the UOC, in its duties as a public service, is proud to serve.
 

  • Two representatives nominated by the Catalan parliament:

Maria Teixidor, founder of VUCA.

She has a bachelor's degree in Law from Pompeu Fabra University, specializing in intellectual property, and has certification as a mediator from Rey Juan Carlos University. With more than 20 years' professional experience, she has held the position of secretary of the Board of Directors of Fútbol Club Barcelona, head of Women's Football, and is a member of the Board and the Executive Committee of PIMEC, being president of the Women and Business Commission.

Ricard Castellet, head of Digital Transformation at Gebro Pharma.

With a bachelor's degree in Sociology from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, he has more than 20 years' experience in the digitization of brands such as Elogia, LetsBonus, BeRepublic and Barcelona Tech City. Currently, as head of Digital Transformation at Laboratorios Gebro Pharma, he leads the integration of digital technology to improve public health and patient services.

  • One representative of the Catalan public universities, designated by the Catalan Interuniversity Council:

Mercè Puig, general secretary of the Interuniversity Council of Catalonia.

Doctor of Classical Philology and Associate Professor of Latin Philology at the University of Barcelona. Her research has focused on various fields, including misogynistic Latin literature in the Middle Ages and gestures in ancient Rome. Additionally, she is both the coordinator of the Master’s Degree in Medieval Cultures and a member of the GRATAEM research group at the University of Barcelona. 

  • Two representatives nominated by the legitimate business organizations that offer greatest representation in Catalonia:

Mar Alarcón Batlle, vice president of Foment del Treball Nacional.

She holds a bachelor's degree in Law from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, has studied IESE Business School's Programme for Management Development and has undertaken extensive international training. She is an entrepreneur in innovative and disruptive sectors, a founder of SocialCar.com and a founding partner of 19N, a public policy consultancy specializing in the digital platform economy.

Joan Josep Berbel, representing PIMEC.

He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science, Sociology and International Relations from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. He is currently chair of PIMEC's Digitization and Innovation Commission. At Metyis, he is a partner and in charge of the Social Impact and Sustainability areas (ESG), both nationally and globally.

  • Two representatives nominated by the legitimate trade unions that offer greatest representation in Catalonia:

Albert Llargués, head of Educational Policies with CCOO.

Carlos de Pablo, UGT, institutional policy secretary.

He holds a bachelor's degree in Law from the University of Barcelona and is a practising lawyer. Since 1998 he has been a mediator and conciliation officer in the Catalan Labour Court, and during the last 20 years he has held various management positions in the UGT trade union.

  • One representative who is a graduate from the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya and is no longer studying there, appointed by UOC Alumni:

Roger Gomis, researcher specializing in cancer metastasis.

He holds a doctoral degree in Biochemistry from the University of Barcelona and a diploma in Business Science from the UOC. ICREA Research Professor and member of the Cancer Sciences Programme at the Barcelona Institute for Research in Biomedicine. Founder of Inbiomotion, a company that has developed a biomarker to predict breast cancer metastasis.

  • Five representatives appointed by the FUOC Board of Trustees, including members from the fields of education, research and culture:

Xavier Prats Monné, expert on European affairs and a European Commission senior official.

He graduated in Social Anthropology at the Complutense University of Madrid, specializing in Economic Development and European Studies. He has worked for over 30 years with the European Commission in areas such as health, education, culture and employment. He is currently an advisor to the UOC and Teach For All, president of the Board of Trustees of the Hospital de Sant Pau Foundation, and has received an honorary doctorate from the Universitat Rovira i Virgili and the Civil Order of Alfonso X, the Wise.

Judit Carrera, cultural manager and promoter.

She holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, and a diploma in Advanced Studies from the Paris Institute of Political Studies. She has worked for UNESCO and is currently director of the CCCB, where she promotes cultural projects. She has been made a Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Ministry of Culture, and received the Difusió award at Catalan Book Week.

Cristina Gallach, journalist and representative of the Spanish government.

She has a bachelor's degree in Journalism from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, and has studied Anglo-Germanic Philology at Columbia University, where she obtained a master's degree in International Politics. She was Javier Solana's press officer and is the only Catalan journalist to have held significant positions in the European Union, the UN and NATO. Currently, she is the special commissioner for the Alliance for the New Language Economy and has received numerous distinctions, including an honorary doctorate from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.

Cristina Manzano, journalist specializing in international relations.

She holds a bachelor's degree in Information Sciences from the Complutense University of Madrid, and has completed postgraduate studies at the University of Maryland. Professor at the Complutense University of Madrid and director of External Relations for the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB). She has been director of Esglobal for 17 years, has held various positions in the field of journalism and is currently a member of institutions related to international affairs.

  • The rector of the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya:

Àngels Fitó

She holds a doctoral degree in Economics from the University of Barcelona, is senior professor at the UOC and was Vice President for Competitiveness and Employability from 2019 to 2023. Before 2019, she was dean of the UOC's Faculty of Economics and Business. She specializes in tax and financial management and management control, and has extensive experience in financial and management consultancy in the public and private sectors. She has also taught at other Spanish universities.

  • The CEO of the Fundació per a la Universitat Oberta de Catalunya:

Antoni Cahner

He has a bachelor's degree in Physical Sciences from the University of Barcelona, an MBA from ESADE and a General Management Programme (GMP) qualification from IESE Business School. Until July 2014, he was Vice President of Systems Integration at T-Systems. Previously, he held senior management positions in higher education management, including director of business development at GEC, S.A., general manager of Planeta UOC, S.L., and assistant general manager of the UOC (2001-2005).

The chair of the Advisory Board is appointed by the FUOC Board of Trustees from among the Advisory Board's members.
 
The secretary of the Board is the FUOC's secretary, who has an advisory role but casts no vote.

* In accordance with the Government of Catalonia agreements dated 28 December 1995 and 16 July 2019.