The rector of the Universidad de Cantabria, Conchi López, assumes the presidency of the Environmental Hydraulics Institute Foundation of Cantabria

This morning was held the meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Instituto de Hidráulica Ambiental de Cantabria Foundation (FIHAC), for its acronym in Spanish), whose presidency has begun to assume the rector of the Universidad de Cantabria (UC), Conchi Lopez.

During this meeting, which took place at the facilities of the Environmental Hydraulics Institute of the Universidad de Cantabria (IHCantabria), one of the highlights of the agenda was the presentation of the Annual Report 2024 of IHCantabria. The presentation was made by the general director of this institute and vice-president of FIHAC, Raúl Medina. This report of activities reflects a year of consolidation in international leadership ─both in research, technology transfer and training─ in areas associated with socioecological systems related to water.

In his presentation, Raúl Medina reported that, in 2024, “IHCantabria managed to consolidate the research groups created in 2023, developed more than 130 projects in 25 countries, which has meant a growth of more than 12% in economic terms”. He also highlighted the significant increase in the team that makes up this institute, “which currently employs more than 200 highly qualified professionals committed to generating sustainable and resilient solutions”, as well as the 12 awards and recognitions received over the past year, which endorse the scientific excellence of IHCantabria.

The report of activities presented today by Raúl Medina reflects the identity of IHCantabria “as a knowledge industry and as a multi connector center, acting as a bridge between the public and private spheres to promote synergies and effective collaborations”. In his speech, Raúl Medina highlighted how fundamental has been “the dedication and daily commitment of our entire team, as well as the support and trust of our Board of Trustees, of all our partners, companies, administrations and public and private institutions with which we work; because the shared effort has allowed us to consolidate and enhance the impact of IHCantabria, nationally and internationally”.

At this meeting, María Eugenia Fernández Fernández was also appointed as Secretary of FIHAC.

Participants of the FIHAC Board of Trustees meeting

This meeting was attended, in person: Concepción (Conchi) López Fernández, current president of FIHAC and rector of the UC; Eduardo Arasti Barca, former president of FIHAC and Minister of Industry, Employment, Innovation and Commerce of the Government of Cantabria; Raúl Medina Santamaría, vice president of FIHAC and general director of IHCantabria; Luigi dell’ Olio, vice rector of Research and Science Policy; Ángel Pedraja Terán, CEO of SODERCAN; Javier Puente Redondo, General Director of Innovation, Technological Development and Industrial Entrepreneurship; Luis Fernando Olaiz Arenal, General Director of Treasury, Budgets and Financial Policy; María Tejerina Puente, General Director of Water and Ports; Íñigo Losada Rodríguez, Research Director of IHCantabria, Scientific Director of the Gran Tanque de Ingeniería Marítima (ICTS) and Professor of the UC; as well as María Eugenia Fernández Fernández, Secretary of FIHAC.

Marta Pascual Saez, Director General of Universities and University Policy, and Ángela Fernández Curto, Deputy Assistant Director General of the Deputy Directorate General of Large Scientific-Technical Facilities, also participated virtually. This meeting could not be attended by Roberto Media Sainz ─consejero de Fomento, Ordenación del Territorio y Medio Ambiente─, who has delegated his vote to another member of the Board of Trustees.

About FIHAC

FIHAC is a private law organization of the autonomous public sector and of a non-profit foundation nature ─attached to the Regional Ministry of Innovation, Industry, Transport and Commerce of the Government of Cantabria─, which was born with the fundamental purpose of promoting and supporting basic and applied research, as well as the development of studies, methodologies and tools for the integrated management of aquatic ecosystems, including inland surface and groundwater, transitional waters and coastal waters.

For the development of such purposes, on March 22, 2007, FIHAC and the University of Cantabria created the joint research institute called Institute of Environmental Hydraulics of the University of Cantabria (IHCantabria), which was initially joined by the staff of two research groups of the School of Civil Engineering of the University of Cantabria, who had been carrying out an intense scientific-technical activity on issues related to the engineering of inland and coastal waters. More information about the origins of IHCantabria, through this link.