The rectors of the Universities of La Laguna and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Francisco J. García and Lluís Serra Majem, have signed a collaboration agreement for the development of the Inter-University Chair of Commerce between the Regional Ministry and the Canary Islands' public universities. The signing ceremony was attended by... Vice President and Minister of Economy, Industry, Commerce and Self-Employed Workers of the Government of the Canary Islands, Manuel Domínguez; The Deputy Minister of Industry, Trade and Consumer Affairs, Felipe Afonso El Jaber; the Director General of Trade, David Mille, as well as representatives of the commercial sector of the islands.
The aim of the initiative is to promote training and research studies on commercial activity and complementary services, as well as to publicize commerce as a value-creating activity and a driver of the archipelago's economic development.
The chair has an initial budget of €30,000, fully funded by the Regional Ministry of Economy, and will be distributed annually in equal shares of €15,000 between the two universities in the Canary Islands. The agreement is valid for four years.
The rector of the University of La Laguna, Francisco Javier García, indicated that the chair will serve to increase training, research, and dissemination of the enormous potential and value of commercial activity in the archipelago. Meanwhile,The Rector of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Lluís Serra, emphasized that this agreement confirms the commitment to involving teaching and research staff in proposing new actions and lines of work that will improve the competitiveness of the Canary Islands' commercial sector. He also highlighted the inter-university nature of the Chair, "which will allow us to delve deeper into initiatives that promote entrepreneurship, develop and manage innovative talent, and attract academic excellence to a sector essential to the economy.".
The regional minister, Manuel Domínguez, stated that the government has decided to initiate, in collaboration with the two universities in the Canary Islands, "a process to enhance the quality of training in the business sector so that Canary Island companies can continue to progress in accordance with the profound changes in today's society." Domínguez expressed his gratitude for the involvement of the two public universities in the Canary Islands and invited other institutions, as well as private sector initiatives, to participate in the chair to add more value to a sector "so important for the economic development of the Canary Islands.".
(Press release and photos provided).
Spanish 
English 
French