La UC ofrece 61 cursos de verano con destacados ponentes

The journalist will close an edition that will be opened by Javier García, from the World Science Council, with ‘When Machines Do Science’

The University of Cantabria will offer over a hundred academic and cultural proposals during the summer months, with 61 monographic courses and 55 activities in sixteen locations in the region, one less than the previous summer. These will take place between June 18 and August 27 and will cover topics such as social sciences, health, environment, education, artificial intelligence, and various artistic disciplines.

The events, covering a variety of topics and formats – including conferences, workshops, seminars, round tables, and a concert – will feature speakers such as Paul Preston, historian and professor at the London School of Economics and honorary doctorate from UC; Mara Dierssen, senior scientist at the Centre for Genomic Regulation in Barcelona and president of the Spanish Brain Council; Francisco González de Posada, academician of the Royal Academy of Medicine; Juan José Tamayo, theologian and emeritus professor at the Carlos III University; Óscar Mijallo, war correspondent for RTVE; and Manuel Jabois.

This journalist and writer will be responsible for closing the 40th edition of the courses with the conference ‘In two false opposite versions of a fact, the truth is not found, but two lies,’ which will be delivered on August 27 at seven o’clock in the evening at the Doctor Velasco Cultural Center in Laredo. The opening event will take place on June 18 at the church of Santa María de la Asunción, with the talk ‘When Machines Do Science,’ presented by Javier García, professor of Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Alicante and president of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) for the 2022-2023 term, as well as a member of the World Science Council.

Summer courses will also feature professors and researchers from UC and other personalities such as Daniel Jaque, professor of Materials Physics and vice-rector of Scientific Policy at the Autonomous University of Madrid; Eneko Axpe, scientific collaborator at the Basque Culinary Center; Manuel Redondo, director of the International Santander Entrepreneurship Center (CISE); Ruth Beitia, elite Cantabrian athlete – the first Spanish athlete to win an Olympic gold medal; and Paz Gil, owner of the Gil bookstore, recognized with numerous national awards for her work and business model.

The summer academic and cultural program of UC was presented on Wednesday by its rector, Conchi López, in a press conference with the director of the Summer Courses Area, Rosa Martín; the vice-rector of Culture and Transfer to Society, Rebeca Saavedra; the mayor of Santander, Gema Igual; and the first deputy mayor and Laura Recio, councilor for Tourism, Commerce, Culture, and Education of Laredo, the main and historical headquarters of the courses for the past 40 years.

In addition to the town of Laredo and the capital of Cantabria, which have been hosting the courses for 25 years, this summer they will also take place in fourteen other municipalities: Torrelavega, Suances, Colindres, Ramales de la Victoria, Castro Urdiales, Camargo, Los Corrales de Buelna, Comillas, Potes, Piélagos, Santa Cruz de Bezana, la Hermandad de Campoo de Suso, San Vicente de la Barquera, and Reinosa. In total, there will be 16 locations, one less than in 2024, with an equivalent number of courses and activities compared to the previous edition.

The courses are distributed evenly across different areas of knowledge, including health sciences (10), experimental sciences, mathematics, engineering, and environment (15), social sciences (12), humanities (10), and education, culture, and sports (14). In addition to these, there will be 55 free cultural activities in all locations, including over 40 conferences, workshops – on painting, music, yoga, or CPR -, seminars – on rural development or art -, round tables – on sports or fishing -, and a concert by the UC Camerata Coral in Reinosa.

EVALUATIONS

The rector highlighted the quality and diversity of the program, the first under her tenure – she was elected at the beginning of the year – emphasizing that the courses and activities are aimed at all types of audiences, not just teachers and students.

In addition to the traditional monographic courses, which will be taught in person to facilitate interaction with attendees – although their directors will share content updates with their followers on social media – there will be various workshops and activities offered.

López also reaffirmed the University’s «willingness» to «continue strengthening ties with institutions and municipalities» in the region: «We firmly believe that only through constant, open, and generous collaboration can we continue to contribute to the cultural, economic, and social progress of Cantabria.»

On her part, Saavedra considered that this academic and cultural program «enables citizens to educate themselves and update their knowledge throughout their lives.» Furthermore, «the thematic diversity that defines it favors the opportunity to acquire comprehensive training, or at least in topics as diverse and interesting as those developed in this edition,» added the vice-rector.

In line with this, the mayor of Santander emphasized the importance of UC «leaving the classrooms to return all the talent and knowledge to society, but also to attract university students to the wonderful University we have.»

Igual highlighted the 25 years that the capital of Cantabria has been collaborating with UC Summer Courses, acknowledging the «pioneering vision» that the Laredo City Council had 40 years ago when they embraced this initiative.

The first deputy mayor of Laredo emphasized the commitment of the City Council to the UC Summer Courses from the beginning, «something that we continue to be deeply proud of today, as our town has been able to maintain its commitment intact for these four decades, establishing itself as a privileged space for the encounter between knowledge, culture, and citizenship.»

«The celebration of these courses not only enriches the intellectual and cultural life of our town, but has decisively contributed to enhancing Cantabria as a region committed to education, culture, and innovation,» considered Recio.

REGISTRATION

Registration is open from this Wednesday, May 21, and will remain available until three days before the start of each course. There are different registration modalities, with reductions for various groups and free registration for UC staff and residents in some host municipalities.

All courses are eligible for recognition by the Ministry of Education of the Government of Cantabria for teacher training, and by the UC Doctoral School as cross-disciplinary training. Additionally, they can be credited as ECTS credits for undergraduate students.

The program is supported by the 16 municipalities hosting the UC’s academic and cultural activities, eight general directorates of the regional government, the Cantabrian Employment Service (EMCAN), the regional parliament, and various entities, companies, and research groups, such as the Botín Foundation.

Complete information about the courses and activities, as well as details on registration and academic recognition, can be found on the website: www.cursosdeverano.unican.es, by phone at 942 20 09 73, and on official social media under the profile ‘Cursos de Verano UC’.