Month: September 2026

A Dietary Model in Popular Culture

Posted on by Laura

The Foundation has held another conference dedicated to the “Food Model of Popular Culture” in collaboration with the Castellón Provincial Council. During the event, the topic of new technologies in cultural models was discussed by Francisco Higón, who holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Valencia. For him, popular culture consists of “the norms, practices, values and representations that a group of individuals shares regarding food, from the selection of food to its preparation, consumption, redistribution and the symbolic meaning attributed to it, which is the reason for this conference”, he affirmed.

 He spoke, then, of the green revolution of the late 20th century, and wondered whether we were backtracking somewhat in a shift, in recent decades, towards a return to a model that is “more ‘humane’, more ecological and more natural”. He also referred to the most popular innovations “such as microwaves, the AirFryer and sous-vide cooking techniques.” “Models are changing,” he emphasised, “and new technologies are transforming cultural food models, making them more efficient, sustainable and personalised, from production to consumption, with elements such as AI (Artificial Intelligence), the Internet of Things (IoT) or 3D printing, for example.”

Elena Picó, Deputy Director of Agricultural Structures at the Regional Ministry of Agriculture, was responsible for introducing each of the speakers, including Carlos Martín, President of Fecoes (Spanish Federation of Wine and Gastronomic Societies), who spoke about artisan gastronomy in the European Union. Martín outlined the different cuisines “from Greece, with the earliest records of Greek dishes such as moussaka, through to France and the spread of the potato to end famines, Portugal and its cod or convent sweets, Italy’s Lesso region with its pearà, an ancient dish, or the internationally renowned pizza, and Hungary with its goulash, before arriving in Spain with olla podrida, anchovies from Santoña or Valencian paella”.

She was followed by Mª Luisa Albiol, Regional Director for Castellón at the Regional Ministry of Agriculture, who spoke about valuable dietary models in the region. She focused on the Mediterranean diet as the best example of such a model, noting that UNESCO has recognised it as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. “The Mediterranean diet constitutes a set of skills, knowledge, practices and traditions…” She also referred to the Comunitat Valenciana’s schemes for distinguishing agri-food quality, such as Protected Designations of Origin, Protected Geographical Indications, the Organic Farming Committee and other initiatives such as the ‘Ruta del Sabor’ (Taste Trail). Albiol emphasised that “to project a positive image through agriculture, we need farmers and protective measures, as well as all kinds of support to help retain the local population”, he insisted.

The event concluded with a presentation by Juan José Rico of Fedacova (Business Federation of the Agri-Food Sector of the Comunitat Valenciana), who spoke on the “Application of new technologies in the food industry”. He stated that some of these applications of new technologies in the food industry – such as the use of AI for predictive analytics, or Big Data with drones flying over fields to gather a wealth of useful information – though one must know how to use it – or the Internet of Things to ensure the cold chain is not broken, with sensors in these cold stores that trigger alarms are triggered; or blockchain and the digital product passport, where consumers can see the origin, regulations and even recipes that provide key information about the food product; or 3D printing, augmented reality and biotechnology involving microalgae or prebiotic foods.”

Rico also mentioned five successful companies, such as Vicky Foods, Iberian Premium Fruits (Almenara), which tailors each product line to meet the specific standards of each customer (variety, size, etc.), Aceitunas La Española, which utilises olive stones, and the Martínez family, who use Big Data to systematise their decision-making within a single system that optimises decisions, as well as Dacsa, which, in addition to rice, also produces vegetable products such as peas and chickpeas.” The innovation officer at Fedacova has “spoken out in defence of small businesses that are struggling to survive; this is an element that fosters communication and a sense of community, and we must not let it die out,” he argued.

The event was opened by the Director-General for Agricultural and Livestock Production at the Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Mª Ángels Ramón-Llín, together with the Second Vice-President of the Castellón Provincial Council, Andrés Martínez, whilst the closing ceremony was led by both the Executive President of the Rei Jaume I Prizes, Javier Quesada, and José Vicente Guillém

And if you’d like to watch the whole event, click below and sign up 🙂

"Getting older doesn’t mean missing out on the good things in life because of pain"

Posted on by Laura

The Foundation is hosting the 18th edition of the event, dedicated to the theme ‘Pain is preventable’ and led by Dr De Andrés

The 18th conference on ‘Pain is Preventable’ has taken place, chaired by Dr De Andrés, Professor of Anaesthesiology at the University of Valencia and Head of the Department of Anaesthesiology, Resuscitation and Pain Management at Valencia General Hospital. For him, “the reasons that lead patients to visit the Pain Unit include, amongst others, pain arising from the lower back, neck, headaches, the pelvis, post-surgery or CRPS” He has emphasised that “growing older does not mean missing out on the good things in life because of pain”.

And so the programme moved on to the various presentations on pain, beginning with a panel discussion on today’s pain management units, featuring Dr Carmen De Andrés from the Pain Management Unit at Vithas Hospital, who explained that pain management units primarily treat chronic pain, are integrated into hospitals and comprise a multidisciplinary team. The most common reason for seeking treatment is age, with patients over 60: “We now know that pain is not just a symptom; it is now treated as a condition in its own right when it persists without any apparent cause. And to treat it, a biological, psychological and social approach must be taken.”

This was followed by a presentation by Dr Pablo Kot, also from Vithas, who spoke about chronic pain, “which is pain that lasts for more than three months, even after the cause has been removed. Between 20 and 30 per cent of the population suffer from it, and it is one of the leading causes of disability. “Treatments such as psychotherapy, meditation, self-care, the sensible use of medication, interventional treatments provided by pain clinics, and rehabilitation are real and accessible options for managing pain,” he pointed out.

Dr Estefanía Romero from Vithas Hospital spoke about options for managing pain: “But we need to realise that pain does not necessarily mean damage; it can be managed through rehabilitation, and it is advisable to stay physically active rather than rest.”

And Mar Machirán, a physiotherapist at the Vithas hospital in Valencia, spoke about the pelvic floor, “which is a group of muscles, connective tissues and structures located in the lower part of the pubic region and contributes to the body’s stability and other functions, such as sexual function.” In addition to “personalisation, regenerative therapies offer other advantages, such as long-lasting relief; they are non-invasive, carry a low risk, provide an alternative to surgery and have fewer side effects”.

Dr José De Andrés, course director at Valencia General Hospital and professor of Anaesthesiology at the University of Valencia, has opened the second panel session on regenerative medicine. According to De Andrés, “more than 20 per cent of the population suffers from chronic pain” and, over the years, the most significant progress has been made through individualised and personalised therapy, which enables the desired effect to be achieved.

Dr Juan Carlos Vázquez of Vithas Hospital has spoken about PRP and stem cells, which are not the same thing. “Platelet-rich plasma does not contain stem cells and does not replace lost cells. In contrast, stem cells do have the ability to replace cells and require more complex procedures,” he explained. “Lifestyle changes, weight loss and physical exercise improve symptoms, and treatments may include prolotherapy, PRP, stem cells and exosomes,” he concluded.

Dr Eider García from Quirón Salud Hospital in Vitoria explained regenerative therapies for osteoarthritis of the joints, saying, “It is the most common joint condition and one that affects quality of life.” “Nowadays, regenerative medicine aims to reduce pain rather than focus on disc regeneration or the progression of osteoarthritis.” Dr Rubén Rubio from Vithas spoke about regenerative therapies for the spine and stated that “all problems begin with ageing or weight-bearing stresses, amongst other factors, which ultimately affect the joint”.

“There are studies that demonstrate various treatment options which, with active involvement from the physiotherapist, are effective,” said Manuel Casado of Vithas at the opening of the third panel discussion, which focused on what to do to improve one’s condition and reduce pain. Dr Casado emphasised that “we must identify the causes leading to that pain” and called for “the professionalisation of physiotherapists”. For his part, Dr Catalá, also from Vithas, recommended an initial assessment involving a review of prior factors, objectives, progressive loading and technique. Moving, being consistent and using trends to our advantage, “the important thing is not to follow them blindly, but to pursue a sustainable path towards health”, he concluded. Turning to supplements for chronic pain, pharmacist Cristina Merinero discussed these supplements alongside the importance of rest, a healthy diet and physical activity. In her talk, she referred to magnesium, omega-3, creatine and vitamin D, and answered numerous questions from the audience.

Dr Vicente Monsalve, a psychologist at Valencia General Hospital, brought the day’s proceedings to a close by discussing the social, emotional and occupational aspects of pain. “The brain does not malfunction; it simply processes the information it receives,” he quoted Arturo Goicoechea as saying, and “chronic pain is the result of the brain being in protective mode,” he noted. Finally, Monsalve presented numerous statistics, such as the fact that “pain reduces social participation and leads to a lack of understanding, stigmatisation and emotional loneliness. “35 per cent suffer from social isolation, 54 per cent reduce their social participation and 20 per cent feel lonely. And one in three feels that their pain is not taken seriously,” reported Dr Monsalve.

The Rei Jaume I Prizes have launched a retro video game to highlight the lack of funding for science and entrepreneurship

Posted on by Laura

It forms part of its ‘Spain Insert Coin’ campaign, which announces the awards ceremony to be held on 25 November

To mark the 2025 Rei Jaume I Prize Awards Ceremony, the Foundation wishes to highlight the lack of investment in science and entrepreneurship through a campaign entitled ‘Spain, Insert Coin’:

  • Spain currently spends 1.49 per cent of its GDP on R&D&I, which amounts to 22,379 million euros (INE, 2023). 
  • The European Union average is significantly higher, at around 2.2 per cent of GDP. 
  • In the 1980s and 1990s, the EU-15 countries already had figures of between 1.5 per cent and 1.8 per cent, which are similar to those in Spain today. 
  • In the field of entrepreneurship, the difference in venture capital investment is also striking: Spain invests 0.12 per cent of its GDP, whilst the European average stands at 0.5 per cent (SpainCap and Invest Europe).

This news story has served as the starting point for the theme of this year’s Rei Jaume I Prize campaign, and the conclusion has been reached that Spain is still stuck in the 1980s, as our budgets for science and entrepreneurship are the same as those in the EU 40 years ago. 

That is why we wanted to capture that distinctive 1980s aesthetic of arcade machines to send a clear and direct message: “Spain, Insert Coin”, because only with funding will we be able to reach European standards. 

And so as not to limit ourselves to just a message, we have decided to create a complete experience through a video game – inspired by Pac-Man – called CazaCoins, which allows players to discover what the adventure of seeking funding is like and through which we will also introduce the real stars of this event: our award winners. 

  • This campaign, based on official data, aims to highlight a long-standing lag in investment in science and entrepreneurship, and to encourage reflection on this reality and call for a stronger commitment to science and entrepreneurship, which are the true drivers of progress, innovation and competitiveness.

To play, go to: https://www.cazacoins.es/

The 2025 Rei Jaume I Prizes call for investment in science and research

Posted on by Laura

They are using a ‘retro’ games machine as a symbol of the need to step up R&D&I, although it is emphasised that the number of researchers has increased eightfold over four decades

This year’s Rei Jaume I Prizes Awards Ceremony will take place at midday on 25 November. To explain the various events taking place alongside the main awards ceremony, the Foundation has organised a press conference at which the organisation’s chairmen, Vicente Boluda and Javier Quesada, presented the three-day programme and unveiled the campaign that always accompanies these events.

The event will therefore begin on Monday 24th with a meeting between the award winners and the media, a brief visit to the Príncipe Felipe Museum in the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, and a discussion amongst the winners, which will take place on the same day, Monday 24th, at the BioHub in the Port at 5.00 pm. Following this informal discussion with the award winners, during which they will present their work and explain why they received their awards, they will proceed to the Palau de la Generalitat, where the President of the Generalitat will carry out the traditional presentation of insignia, and the day will conclude with an official dinner hosted at the Palau de la Generalitat.

The following day, 25 November, the awards ceremony will take place at the Lonja de Valencia, broadcast live by À Punt at midday, and will conclude with visits by the seven award winners to various institutions in the Comunitat Valenciana. Thus,

The remaining six prize-winners will give their lectures on Wednesday 26th at research centres and universities across the Comunitat Valenciana:

  • Basic Research (José Luis Mascareñas) > ICMOL, headed by our 2003 award winner, Eugenio Coronado
  • Economics (Jean Eeckhout) > UJI, Castellón
  • Biomedical Research (Núria López-Bigas) will visit INCLIVA
  • Environmental Protection (Victoria Reyes) > University of Alicante (Vice-Chancellor’s Office)
  • New Technologies (Mª Jesús Vicent) > IDM (Institute of Molecular Recognition and Technological Development, a joint centre between the UPV and the UV, led by Ramón Martínez Mañez – who also won the New Technologies Prize in 2018 – at the ETSII)
  • Entrepreneurial Revelation (Damià Tormo) > EDEM
  • Clinical Research, (Silvia de Sanjosé) > Miguel Hernández University of Alicante

And, on another note, the communications and marketing campaign to be rolled out this year was unveiled. The centrepiece of the advertising and media campaign launched by the Rei Jaume I Prizes Foundation for this year’s Awards Ceremony – the 37th edition – will be an ‘arcade’ machine, like those used to play Pac-Man in the 1980s, but where the ones jumping, walking and running are the winning researchers, who will receive their own miniature machines.

“We have used a machine from the past – from 40 years ago – as a symbol, because we are 40 years behind the European Union average in terms of the percentage of GDP invested in research, development and innovation,” explained the Foundation’s executive president, Javier Quesada.

A 1 per cent increase in investment as a proportion of GDP

However, Javier Quesada has denied that the message conveyed by this resurgence of the arcade industry is a pessimistic one. “It is a realistic message, because our R&D&I levels are comparable to the European Union average in 1985,” he explained. That said, the percentage of Gross Domestic Product that Spain invests in this area has increased. In 1985, that figure stood at 0.5 per cent of GDP. Now, the figure is 1.5 per cent.

Quesada also emphasised that Spain “has seen a significant increase in the number of researchers”. Forty years ago, there were 21,400 research professionals working in Spain, whilst the figure for 2025 stands at 175,000. “We are not suggesting that no progress is being made here – far from it,” he said, particularly given that this figure has increased eightfold over the past few decades. Added to this is the work carried out by “world-leading research centres, something that was unthinkable 40 years ago”.

The figures have also improved at regional level. In the Comunitat Valenciana, there are currently 15,500 researchers, a figure four or five times higher than four decades ago.

An ‘arcade’ game

As part of the campaign, these machines will be set up on university campuses on weekdays so that students can play. The game features the seven award-winning researchers from this year’s edition, highlighting all stages of research: from Basic Research to the creation of businesses and jobs (Entrepreneurial Revelation).

“By playing the machine, you can see the achievements of the award winners using the technology of the time,” explained Quesada. At weekends, the machine will be on display at the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias.

To play, go to: https://www.cazacoins.es/

Ordinary meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Fundación Premios Rei Jaume I

Posted on by Laura

Held on 12 December at the Palau de la Generalitat, chaired by Juan Francisco Pérez Llorca

The Board of Trustees of the Fundación Premios Rei Jaume I held its regular meeting for the second half of the year at the Palau de la Generalitat in Valencia, during which the budget and action plan for 2026 were approved and a report was given on the progress of activities for the current financial year, as well as on the institution’s financial and asset position.

Juan Francisco Pérez Llorca, the Foundation’s institutional chairman, and President Vicente Boluda, together with the Executive President, Javier Quesada, presented a report detailing the institution’s activities over the course of the year, with particular emphasis on the Awards Ceremony for the Rei Jaume I Prizes and the events leading up to them, as well as the impact all of this has had in the media.

Vicente Boluda accepts the Pare Antoni 2025 prize on behalf of the Foundation

Posted on by Laura

On 27 December, the Foundation received one of the Pare Antoni 2025 Prizes, presented by the Ateneo Musical y de Enseñanza Banda Primitiva de Llíria. The prize was accepted by the president, Vicente Boluda, whose presence demonstrated the organisation’s commitment to scientific excellence and social progress.

During the ceremony, Boluda expressed his gratitude for the award on behalf of the Foundation and highlighted the work the organisation carries out to promote research, innovation and entrepreneurship in the Comunitat Valenciana. In his speech, he emphasised the importance of building bridges between science, society and the business community – a vision he has reinforced during his presidency.

Alongside the Fundación Premios Rei Jaume I, the following were also honoured: the singer Rosana Arbelo, the Edetan musician Miguel Civera, a requinto soloist with the RTVE Orchestra, and Gerardo Ferrando, former president of the Banda Primitiva, who was honoured posthumously for his dedication to the organisation. 

The event, held during the Christmas concert at the headquarters of the historic musical society, brought together representatives from Llíria’s cultural and social spheres, who highlighted the award-winners’ careers and the Banda Primitiva’s commitment to promoting talent and culture.

Our winner Enrique Cerdá, recipient of the 1995 PRJ Basic Research Prize, has passed away

Posted on by Laura

The Foundation mourns the passing of Professor Enrique Cerdá, winner of the 1995 Rei Jaume I Prize for Basic Research, on 26 December.

A distinguished geneticist, professor emeritus at the University of Seville, and a member of our High Advisory Council, “Enrique always displayed exceptional brilliance and generously shared his extraordinary knowledge across a wide range of subjects. Firm in his convictions, he was a great scientist, always ready to engage in debate and contribute to our Research Committee by offering his honest perspective on the issues under discussion. Above all, Enrique was a wonderful person and I am grateful for the great good fortune of having enjoyed his friendship. We will always keep him in our memories and in our hearts,” said Professor Rafael Rebolo, also winner of the 2001 Rei Jaume I Prize for Basic Research, upon hearing the sad news.

Another of his colleagues, Professor Luis Oro, a 1999 PRJI recipient, said: “Enrique was passionate and headstrong, but also endearing and wise.”

RIP

The Foundation brings together around a hundred people in Bétera for a conference on children’s mental health

Posted on by Laura
  • “The real world will always be superior to the virtual one,” says psychologist Marc Masip
  • “ADHD is one of the most common causes of academic failure in adolescence,” said psychiatrist Mara Perallada
  • “It is harder to mend a broken adult than to bring up a child with ADHD,” Perallada acknowledged

“The real world will always be superior to the virtual world,” emphasised psychologist Marc Masip from Barcelona at the conference held at the Provincial Mental Health Hospital in Bétera, organised by the Fundación Valenciana Premios Rei Jaume I to discuss mental health in childhood.

Alongside Masip, psychiatrist Mara Perallada spoke about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and its evolution over time and in medical practice, referring to it as “a blindness to time, which prevents them from having that internal clock to know how time passes”. The psychiatrist also spoke about ASD, or Autism Spectrum Disorder, to an audience of over a hundred people, mostly medical students, who attended the event.

Marc Masip, a child psychologist and CEO and founder of Desconecta, which has centres in Barcelona, Madrid and Málaga, spoke about the importance of ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) in children’s mental health. Under the title ‘The Heroine of the 21st Century’, the psychologist shared statistics such as ‘61 per cent of teenagers play video games’ and ‘chatting is most common at night’, and emphasised that “the more knowledge I have, the more freedom I have to choose”, and led a series of games and interactive activities with the large audience in attendance—mostly medical students—which carried a final message: “knowledge leads to freedom, but if freedom is granted without knowledge, it is very likely to end in addiction”.

The warning signs to help determine whether or not a person is addicted to their mobile phone are clear: “spending a lot of time in their room, emotional changes, poor academic performance, and becoming angry or moody when their use of new technologies is restricted”, and the consequence of all this is “gradual isolation from the real world”.

Masip drew attention to the complex situation facing our society today, stating, “We are experiencing the highest suicide rate of all time,” and highlighted situations that lead to children being exposed to pornography at far too early an age, “which nowadays enters children’s lives from as young as eight years old”.

“Without a real presence or an inner connection, values are mere words,” he summarised in conclusion, recommending that people spend no more than two hours in front of a mobile phone and advising on the appropriate age to start using one: “We shouldn’t give our children mobile phones before the age of 16, nor should we let them use social media; the real world will always be superior to the virtual one,” he emphasised in closing.

For her part, Mara Perallada, from the psychiatry department at Gregorio Marañón Hospital, as well as vice-president of the Spanish Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and of the Department of Psychiatry at the Complutense University of Madrid, addressed two topics: ADHD and ASD. 

 “ADHD involves hyperactivity, impulsivity and attention deficit or executive dysfunction,” he stated. “It is an attention deficit that is out of proportion to the rest of their abilities. Inattention, poor concentration, poor planning, and an inability to rectify or resolve certain issues. It is chronic and has been embedded in the brain’s memory system since childhood, but he pointed out that ‘one must always rule out the possibility that it is caused by another medical condition (deafness, blindness, etc.)’.”

The specialist from Gregorio Marañón pointed out that “psychiatric disorders are not illnesses that manifest in a uniform way, as they can change over time. Over time, it has become clear that adults also suffer from this disorder, although many improve”, and she advised that “children with ADHD would be better off engaging in active pursuits in their daily lives.”

By age, he categorised cases of children with this disorder, starting from nursery school, where “you often see very restless, energetic children who never seem to tire; they are disorganised, frustrate their teachers, and never finish anything they start; they are impulsive, constantly interrupting and acting rashly”.

After nursery school, “in primary school, many children arrive without a diagnosis and display frequent lapses in attention, tantrums and aggression. And in adolescence, it is one of the most common causes of academic failure,” the psychiatrist pointed out. “And yet it is many psychiatrists’ favourite condition, as it is rewarding because it can respond very well to treatment, provided you know how to deal with it and don’t accuse them of being lazy, don’t stop them from getting up, or tie them down; ultimately, they choose career paths and give up on further education. These are young people with low self-esteem. And when it comes to diagnosis, a positive diagnosis is crucial,” she emphasised.

The vice-president of the Spanish Psychiatric Association rejected the use of quick questionnaires to diagnose ADHD, “which never detect a learning difficulty nor take other mental health conditions into account”.

He listed the most common problems, in addition to poor academic performance, “such as the fact that they tend to visit A&E more frequently. In the short term, the best approach is medication combined with contextual factors that help them build confidence.” In conclusion, he emphasised “the need for a personalised approach” whilst also warning of “a serious risk of falling into drug abuse.”

In terms of figures, he stated that “15 per cent still have symptoms at the age of 25, 50 per cent experience partial remission by the age of 25, and the prevalence in adults is between 2 and 4 per cent. “Furthermore,” she continued, “the neurobiological problem overlaps with other neurodevelopmental issues.” Parental hostility or criticism and not belonging to a peer group are the most significant factors in children with ADHD when they reach adolescence. However, the psychiatrist advocated providing these patients with “education, a healthy childhood, good communication skills and ensuring they have high self-esteem, as well as learning to love them, appreciate them and get to know them as individuals, because they tend to work well with young children; we should ask less of them, but helping them to take responsibility”, citing Michael Phelps and the Renaissance master Leonardo da Vinci—both of whom were resilient children—as examples of famous people with ADHD. “It is harder to repair a broken adult than to bring up a child with ADHD,” she concluded.

Mara Perallada also spoke about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), in which she specialises, and described it as “having difficulty understanding how the world works. A neurodevelopmental disorder or a ‘blindness’ to one’s surroundings.” “For them,” she said, “the world of people is no different from the world of things.”

The doctor described this condition as one characterised by “significant difficulties with non-verbal communication: gestures, intentions… and difficulties in forming relationships. “They are inflexible, with an inability to adapt; they suffer from anxiety, rigidity and an insistence on ‘sameness’ – that things must be exactly as they have always known them to be,” she explained to the large audience in attendance. For Dr Perallada, “autism begins before birth. And that is why it is essential that the National Health Service covers the cost of genetic testing. Genetic factors are fundamental, leading us towards precision medicine, which will be essential in the future,” she argued.

“Comorbidities can be the greatest source of disability: anxiety or depression, or the language delays that people often experience. And it is these comorbidities that are most commonly treated in consultations,” he said.

“But what worries families with children with autism the most,” said Perallada, “are communication problems, knowing what they do and do not need, and depression and anxiety – far more than social reciprocity. For people with autism who want to interact with others, this is their greatest concern,” according to a study by the American society.

The event began with a welcome address by Alfredo Ribelles, director of the Provincial Mental Health Hospital in Bétera, who expressed his gratitude for the large turnout, comprising mainly students from the Faculty of Medicine in Valencia. She was followed by Elia Verdevío, Mayor of Bétera, who described the event as “an occasion that allows us to pause and reflect”.  Jose Vte. Guillem, speaking on behalf of the executive chairman, Javier Quesada, expressed his gratitude and recognised the importance of events such as these “in which the Foundation gets involved in social initiatives to help society”. and Inma González, from the Valencia Provincial Council, spoke of this event “as a challenge for mental health in this century, with a commitment and willingness to tackle all the challenges that arise in order to achieve a better quality of life for all citizens”.

Francisco Bueno, co-director of this series of lectures, introduced the two speakers and argued that “learning should guide students in their work, rather than in the here and now”. Bueno emphasised the need for a range of perspectives to tackle this sort of problem and highlighted “the family, the very essence of education, which is so reviled nowadays”.

If you’d like to watch part of the recording of the day’s events:

The Fundación Valenciana Premios Rei Jaume I presents the Miguel Burdeos Prize

Posted on by Laura

The organisation pays tribute to its former trustee and supporter with an award for excellence in chemistry in Spain.

In collaboration with the Valencian Business Association (AVE) and SPB Global, the Foundation has organised, in memory of its former trustee Miguel Burdeos, a leading figure in the field of chemistry in Spain, the launch of a prize to promote excellence in training and research in fields related to chemistry. The first edition will take place in 2027 and will be held biennially. 

A prominent Valencian businessman, founder and chairman of SPB Global and Cleanity, Burdeos passed away at the age of 74 following the passage of the DANA through Valencia in October 2024. He was a key figure in the chemical industry, having chaired QUIMACOVA and ADELMA. A supporter of the Rei Jaume I Prizes since 2011, he was always committed to recognising and promoting Science, Innovation and Entrepreneurship – the values embodied by this foundation.

The event began with a welcome address by Vicente Boluda, president of the Foundation and of AVE, who recalled the role played by Burdeos. “Miguel embodied a way of understanding business that was deeply linked to knowledge and innovation. His legacy reinforces an idea that we wish to convey clearly today: business progress and scientific progress must go hand in hand. But as well as being a leading entrepreneur, he stood out for his conscious and strategic commitment to innovation. He paved the way by demonstrating, through his actions, that research and innovation enable business projects to progress, set themselves apart and become more competitive. Miguel was a driving force behind innovation in the Comunidad Valenciana and in Spain,” recalled Boluda.

The event featured a keynote speech by Teresa Rasero, Chair of Air Liquide Spain and Portugal, who is also Chair of Feique and an expert in the chemical industry. Dr Rasero described Bordeaux as “a leader, an innovator, a visionary, a consensus-builder and a man of high standards. He always found the right words and used to say that innovation is of no use unless it reaches people’s homes and improves everyone’s lives. Success is a collective endeavour.”

In his speech, Rasero stated that he is proud that Bordeaux has been honoured with this award, “given the importance of having someone researching how to make the world safer, cleaner and more efficient, and recognising that chemistry can help find solutions to improve the world.”  She also highlighted that the chemical sector “accounts for 12 per cent of industrial GDP, more than 85,000 million euros; we are the second-largest export sector and we serve all industrial sectors”. She also pointed out that “a hospital is full of chemistry, and dramatic events such as the coronavirus pandemic presented us with major challenges.” Rasero, president of Feique, emphasised that “4 per cent of GDP is based on the chemical industry; therefore the chemical sector has made a significant impact and we are leaders in R&D&I, seeking solutions for sustainable production through green hydrogen; we consider ourselves a clinical hub in Europe and we cannot afford to miss this opportunity”, Rasero stated that “we are helping to transform other sectors, such as the future of mobility through green fuels; for this reason, we should be very proud of the chemical industry in Spain for generating highly skilled and stable jobs.”

Following the conference, Javier Quesada, the Foundation’s executive president, outlined the main features of the Miguel Burdeos Prize, recalling that “Miguel consistently demonstrated his entrepreneurial drive and his genuine passion for chemistry and for learning. “As an enthusiast of chemistry and its role in improving lives, he supported numerous young entrepreneurs growing up in our country,” said Quesada, who also wished to acknowledge “his legacy, passed on to his daughters, who are involved in recognising excellence in work, and who have been an example and a source of inspiration to all who knew him”, emphasised the executive chairman.

The scientific director of the award is Avelino Corma, winner of the Rei Jaume I New Technologies Prize in 2000, a world-renowned figure in the field of chemistry and a close associate of Miguel Burdeos. The prize will be presented in two categories: the Prize for the best graduate in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering from the previous two years, worth €10,000, open exclusively to the Comunidad Valenciana and Andalusia, as these are the two regions most closely linked to SPB Global’s activities; and the Prize for the Best Young Researcher, aged under 42, at national level, with a prize of €20,000. This prize will be awarded biennially, with the first edition taking place in 2027. Nominations must be submitted in November and must include, in addition to the academic transcript, a letter of motivation and details of other achievements. To be eligible, candidates do not need to be Spanish nationals, but they must have carried out their research primarily in Spain. The jury will be selected by the foundation.

If you’d like to watch the award presentation:

10th Women, Science and Business Colloquium

Posted on by Laura

“A decade of change through a non-conformist lens” will take place on Thursday 5 March at CaixaBank from 11.30 am

This Thursday, 5 March, the Foundation is holding its tenth conference on ‘Women, Science and Business’.  The event is intended to be a space for reflection, organised as a round-table discussion, in which a wide range of current gender-related issues will be addressed, with a particular focus on the role of women in science and business.

This edition, the tenth, aims to be a compendium or summary of what these 10 years have entailed, under the title: “A decade of change through a non-conformist lens”, It will address and emphasise the supposed achievements and the progress made, acknowledging that changes have indeed taken place over this decade, whilst also highlighting the need to continue improving – to make it clear that these changes are not enough and that we must keep evolving and standing up for our rights.

To start with, there will also be another stand-up routine this year by Helena González from Big Van Ciencia.

The event will take place at CaixaBank’s headquarters at Pintor Sorolla, 2. The day’s programme will feature the winner of the 2025 Rei Jaume I Prize, Silvia de Sanjosé, the businesswoman Myriam Gimeno de Nealis, technologist and economist Laura Olcina, and broadcaster and economist Rebeca Gimeno. The discussion will be moderated by journalist Pepa Fernández, presenter of RNE’s programme “No es un día cualquiera”, who previously hosted the first two editions of this event in 2017 and 2018.

X

No results found for the search