UC ANR, Catalonian research institute to partner on water sustainability, resilience
President of Catalonia attends signing of agreement at UC ANR offices in Davis
On May 14, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources welcomed a delegation from Catalonia, Spain, for the signing of an agreement to boost research collaboration on water quality, sustainability and resilience.
At UC ANR offices in Davis, the event featured remarks by President Salvador Illa of the Government of Catalonia. An autonomous community of Spain, Catalonia has a sister-state relationship with California dating to 1986, based on close ties of culture and similar geographical features and Mediterranean climate.
After reaffirming that partnership during a visit with state leaders in Sacramento, Illa traveled to Davis for the signing of a memorandum of understanding between UC ANR and the Catalan Institute for Water Research (Fundació Institut Català de Recerca de l'aigua, or ICRA). The Catalonian institute, based at the University of Girona, focuses on water resource and ecosystem management, technology development and water quality.
Illa cited the historically severe drought endured by Catalonia within the last five years – and the need for more research and better tools to mitigate the impacts of the next one, both in California and his region.
“Cooperation is important for us, recognizing the role that California has in water management,” Illa said. “We can also share with you our experiences, and together we can take steps forward on this critical issue.”
Glenda Humiston, UC vice president for agriculture and natural resources, said the MOU sets the foundation for mutually beneficial initiatives, such as joint research workshops and a visiting scholar exchange program of scientists and students.
“I am thrilled that this MOU will build on the UC’s long-standing collaborations with our friends from Catalonia, for the benefit of communities in both regions and across the globe,” said Humiston, noting the MOU signed last fall between UC ANR and Catalonia’s Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology.
With water issues central to this new agreement, UC ANR’s California Institute for Water Resources will play a lead role in coordinating research activities.
“Now the work begins,” said Erik Porse, director of the California Institute for Water Resources. “The possibilities for adaptation, innovation and sustainable water resources management in the 21st century begin here.”
He said significant exchanges are already taking place between UC researchers and their Catalonian colleagues, such as comparative studies of groundwater management and fellowships for graduate students.
Vicenç Acuña, director of ICRA, added that conversations are underway on various mechanisms that will operationalize – and assess – the agreement.
“We have also been talking about how to measure impact of this initiative, because otherwise it’s just a piece of paper,” Acuña said.
To wrap up the ceremony, Illa emphasized the need to continue to advance scientific progress and forge strong collaborations, despite political or cultural differences.
“Science is what is going to solve the problems facing humankind,” he said.
Leaders in attendance at the ceremony included Ángeles Moreno, ambassador of Spain to the United States; Nuria Montserrat, minister for Research and Universities, Government of Catalonia; and Javier Selva Sánchez, director general for Knowledge Transfer and Society, Government of Catalonia.
In addition to Humiston and Porse, UC representatives were Erin Marnocha, vice provost, Research and Program Integration, UC ANR; Daniel Obrist, vice provost, Academic Personnel and Development, UC ANR; Khaled Bali, UC Cooperative Extension specialist in irrigation water management, UC ANR; Helen Dahlke, professor, Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, UC Davis; Alvar Escriva-Bou, assistant professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, UC Davis; Anne Megaro, director, Government and Community Relations, UC ANR; and Atef Swelam, director, Kearney and West Side Research and Extension Centers, UC ANR.