The Vall d’Hebron Institute of Research (VHIR) and La Salle URL have signed a framework agreement aimed at strengthening academic, scientific, technological, and cultural collaboration between the two institutions.

The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation through the La Salle Campus Barcelona Partners Program, a founding member of the Ramon Llull University, which will allow the implementation of joint activities in various areas of interest, such as biomedical research, artificial intelligence, health engineering, and computer science.

The main forms of collaboration include:

• Promoting and developing activities to foster the use of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics).

• Organizing and conducting courses, seminars, meetings, or workshops to enhance training and research.

• Encouraging collaboration to deepen both formal and continuing education, as well as the development of research studies and projects.

• Organizing and executing activities, events, and programs that promote R&D&I.

• Promoting and supporting activities that facilitate students’ professional integration.

• Any other action related to the institutions’ objectives, as decided on a case-by-case basis.

The first of these activities was the visit by La Salle URL students to VHIR, where they had the opportunity to learn about the role of artificial intelligence in research from Joan Carles Peiró, VHIR Director of Digital Transformation and Coordinator of the Bachelor’s in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science at La Salle URL; Andrea Guala, Principal Investigator of the Cardiovascular Diseases Research Group; and Queralt Martín, from the Molecular Imaging and Therapy Group at VHIR.

The agreement also provides for the creation of a Joint Committee, composed of representatives from both institutions, responsible for planning, monitoring, and evaluating the activities carried out. This committee will prepare an annual report with the activities completed and proposals for the following academic year.

Specific actions derived from the agreement will be formalized through individual agreements, which will define the objectives, responsibilities, resources, and duration of each project.

The agreement will be in force for three years from the date of signing, with the possibility of extension, and reinforces the commitment of VHIR and La Salle URL to excellence in research, professional training, and knowledge transfer to society.