Universitat de Girona

The University of Girona (Universitat de Girona, UdG) is a public university located in Girona, Catalonia, in north-eastern Spain. Established as a modern university in 1991, while building on a long tradition of higher education in the city, UdG is strongly rooted in its territory and combines this local commitment with a clear European and international outlook.

The University’s mission is based on excellence in education and research, innovation, knowledge transfer and engagement with society. It offers undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programmes across a broad range of disciplines, including sciences, engineering, health, education, psychology, humanities, social sciences, law, economics, business, tourism and architecture.

Research and innovation are central to UdG. Through its research groups, institutes and collaborative projects, the University promotes both fundamental and applied research and encourages interdisciplinary approaches to complex societal challenges. Its researchers participate actively in regional, national, European and international projects and collaborate with universities, research centres, public administrations, businesses, schools, civil society organisations and local communities.

One of UdG’s distinctive features is its strong connection with its surrounding territory. Girona and its region, located between the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees and close to the French border, provide a diverse environment encompassing urban, rural, agricultural, coastal, forest and mountain areas. This setting offers unique opportunities for place-based research, education, experimentation and innovation.

Sustainability is a strategic dimension of the University’s activities. UdG promotes education for sustainable development, environmental responsibility and research addressing challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, sustainable food systems, territorial development, circular economy and the ecological transition. The University encourages systems thinking and interdisciplinary approaches that recognise the interconnections between environmental, social, economic and cultural dimensions of sustainability.

Food systems are a particularly relevant field of interdisciplinary and territorial innovation. The University promotes initiatives that connect food, health, agriculture, biodiversity, climate, education, gastronomy and socioeconomic development. This perspective is reflected in the Chair of Healthy and Sustainable Food (Càtedra d’Alimentació Saludable i Sostenible – CASS), which fosters research, education, knowledge transfer and collaboration around the transition towards healthier and more sustainable food systems, incorporating a One Health perspective that recognises the interdependence of human, animal and environmental health.

UdG also promotes collaborative innovation through approaches such as Living Labs and other co-creation environments, bringing together researchers, public institutions, businesses, professionals and citizens to identify challenges, exchange knowledge, experiment with solutions and generate societal impact.

Internationalisation is another key dimension of the University. UdG participates in European and international research and education networks, promotes student and staff mobility and develops partnerships with institutions around the world. Its geographical position strengthens its Mediterranean and cross-border character and facilitates cooperation between Catalonia, Spain, France and the wider European context.

The University of Girona understands the contemporary university as more than a place for generating and transmitting knowledge. It is also a platform for dialogue, experimentation and societal transformation. By connecting education, research, innovation and territorial engagement, UdG aims to educate responsible professionals and citizens, generate knowledge with social and environmental impact and contribute to healthier communities, more resilient ecosystems and more sustainable and inclusive territories.

From Girona, the University combines a strong sense of place with an outward-looking perspective, welcoming students, researchers, institutions and partners from around the world and fostering collaboration to address shared challenges and contribute to a more sustainable future.