Training and research in the field of engineering and circular economy is the double function of this programme, supported by SUEZ, which was created with the aim of being the result of the essential alliance between university and business, both for its development and for the application of its conclusions.

For this reason, the director of the Chair of Social Responsibility of UCAM, Víctor Meseguer, included in the main team the researchers Antonio Corpas, professor of Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering at Universidad de Jaén; Valentín Molina, professor of Business Organisation at Universidad de Granada, Estrella Núñez, vice-chancellor for Research of UCAM Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia and Encarnación Molina, expert in circular economy. The director general for Research and Scientific Innovation, Isabel Fortea, attended the event.

Víctor Meseguer highlighted that the initiative derives from the need to use science in favour of humanity, and that after celebrating the 65th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz we must take account of the fact that science without conscience has no value at all.

Valentín Molina, for his part, regarding the development of the concepts and indicators of circular economy, explained that “we must take into account that thanks to the model of linear economy, a lot of gross capital has been created. However, this caused it to be a mitigating model that intensively uses resources and raw materials that our earth system will not have any more in the next years”. And regarding this, he specified that the project implemented by UCAM has two objectives regarding training and research: “to contribute to a reduction of climate change and planet’s toxicity”.

Committed companies

At the beginning of the event, the president of UCAM Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia, José Luis Mendoza, delivered a prize to the representatives of eight companies that have been showing an extensive path of social commitment and that participated in the activity of the Chair of Corporate Social Responsibility ever since its creation. The eight companies are Fundación Hefame, Primafrío, Aguas de Murcia, Hidrogea, STV Gestión, Grupo Sureste, Lincamar and Fundación Cepaim, which are a part of the initiative LídeRES of UCAM, sponsored by Caixabank, which already includes 60 companies. The president of the University thanked all of them for their commitment to social responsibility and sustainable development.