Joan Guàrdia i Olmos receives honorary doctorate from the University of Montpellier

On Friday, February 2, 2024, Philippe Augé, President of the University of Montpellier, will award the title of honorary doctor of the University of Montpellier to Joan Guària i Olmos, Professor of Psychology and Rector of the University of Barcelona. The ceremony will take place in the Salle des actes of the Faculty of Medicine's historic building from 4pm, in the presence of François Pierrot, vice-president for international relations, and Gilles Subra, head of the European University Charm-EU mission. On this occasion, the framework agreement between the University of Montpellier and its partners in the I-SITE Program of Excellence and the University of Barcelona will be renewed for a further 4 years.

By invitation only

Joan Guàrdia i Olmos to receive honorary doctorate

Professor of Psychology at the University of Barcelona (UB), where he has been Rector since 2020, Joan Guàrdia i Olmos is a leading specialist in human behavioral science methodology and statistics. He is a member of the UB Institute of Neuroscience (UBneuro) and the Institute of Complex Systems (UBICS), where he conducts research in quantitative and computational neuroscience. He is the author of some 30 books and over 260 scientific articles on topics as diverse as adult depression, family quality of life, attention deficit and language disorders in children, and changes in brain functional connectivity.

Rector since 2020, re-elected in December 2023, Joan Guàrdia i Olmos has contributed fully to the solidity of the long-standing relationship between the University of Barcelona and the University of Montpellier, with the signing of several cooperation agreements, foremost among them the European Charm-EU project. Aimed at innovative and sustainable cooperation in teaching and research, this consortium of European universities has set up a joint interdisciplinary degree entitled "Global Challenges for Sustainable Development" in 2021. It's also worth noting that the UB is one of five international universities that have supported the I-SITE excellence program since its inception in 2017.

A framework agreement signed between the two universities on the occasion of the award of a title

The framework agreement between the University of Montpellier and its partners in the I-SITE Excellence Program and the University of Barcelona will be renewed for 4 years. This agreement is part of the international strategy shared by the members of the I-SITE consortium, implemented since 2017, and which aims to make Montpellier one of the European capitals of health, agro-environment and ecology-environment around the themes symbolized by the triptych "feed, care, protect". The conditions are now ripe for continued collaboration and the development of new projects with this traditional and strategic Spanish partner of the University of Montpellier.

What does the title "Doctor Honoris Causa" represent?

Created by decree on June 26, 1918, the origins of the honorary doctorate can be traced back to the 17th century. It is awarded to foreign personalities who highlight and reflect the values of the university through their contribution to the world of ideas, culture, the arts and sciences. Awarded at a solemn ceremony, this is the most eminent and prestigious academic title to be conferred by the university and scientific community.