Castellón, April 24, 2015. The rector of Jaume I University, Vicent Climent, and the President of FACSA, Enrique Gimeno, have signed this morning the agreement for the creation at the Public University of Castellón the ‘'FACSA Chair of Innovation in the Integrated Water Cycle'’, The project will be led by Professor Sergio Chiva of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Construction. Also present at the signing ceremony were José Guillermo Berlanga, Director of R&D&I at Facsa and Grupo Gimeno; Miguel Ángel Moliner, Vice-Rector for Economics and Administrative and Service Staff; José Enrique Juliá, Director of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Construction; and Javier Climent and Leonor Hernández, faculty members of the same department.
The FACSA Chair It was created with the purpose of promoting training, research, knowledge dissemination, and R&D in the integrated management of the water cycle. Initially planned for three years, it will be based at the University. The chair will have its own microsite (www.catedradelagua.uji.es) where it will publish all activities, as well as its agenda and current events. Its creation promotes the participation of the business and institutional sectors in training and research activities that foster greater socioeconomic development in the surrounding area.
Following the signing, Enrique Gimeno commented that the creation of the Chair “It allows us to consolidate our collaborative relationship with the UJI and, at the same time, offer a culture of the water cycle to raise awareness in society and give it the value it deserves.”. For his part, Vicent Climent indicated that the Chair “It will serve to work in an area in which the UJI is very committed, such as the environment, through innovative actions that encourage citizens and institutions in its preservation.”.
Support for training, dissemination, R&D&I and culture: the pillars of the chair
One of the most important parts will be the training activities focused on students For this reason, a Training Seminar Program will be established as a supplement to the teaching curriculum, as well as an Educational Cooperation Program, where students can complete internships at FACSA. In addition, awards will be given for the best projects and final year theses, and an Ideas Competition for student R&D micro-projects will be held, with funding available to support their implementation. The chair will also conduct training activities for technicians and professionals with continuing education and courses taught by university experts and specialists.
Another of the pillars lies in the dissemination and knowledge transfer. To that end, there will be a program of lectures open to students and technicians, as well as specialized technical seminars, bilateral meetings, and summer courses. In addition, workshops will be organized, and participation will take place in national and international technological and scientific associations. Aware of the importance of bringing knowledge of the complete water cycle closer to the society in general, Activities will be promoted to raise awareness and educate on environmental matters, promoting a culture of respect and sustainable use of water.
For his part, the promotion of R&D This will be essential, supporting specific lines of research and assisting in the completion of doctoral theses. In fact, in parallel with the creation of the chair, FACSA and the UJI have also signed the ‘'Multi-year R&D plan on Wastewater Engineering'’ and a ‘'Framework Agreement for R&D&I'’ between both entities that will promote scientific research and the development of their own technologies.
Finally, the chair will dedicate resources to promoting sociocultural activities, aware of the importance of looking at the environment and participating in the activities of the surrounding community.
The consolidation of a historic collaboration
The establishment of the water chair gives a name to a close relationship that FACSA This collaboration with Universitat Jaume I has been ongoing for years. In fact, in the last five years, more than 80 students have completed internships and final year projects at the company, some of them joining the staff. FACSA and beginning his professional career in this field.
Since 2009, a close relationship has been developed in R&D&I projects with more than 20 collaboration agreements. These include the development of new aeration control systems in biological reactors of wastewater treatment plants, the development of electrical power generation systems in drinking water supply networks, and hydraulic studies in wastewater treatment plants using computational fluid dynamics modeling.
Similarly, FACSA has maintained a strong relationship with technological institutes, sharing know-how and leveraging synergies, with the IUPA (Institut Universitari de Pesticides i Aigües) and especially with the Institute of Ceramic Technology (ITC), with which it has several ongoing research projects related to the development of low-cost ceramic membranes for the treatment of wastewater and drinking water.
About FACSA:
FACSA FACSA is the private company with the most experience in the complete water cycle. Its innovative and technological approach has allowed the company to experience continuous growth since 1973. The incorporation of new technologies and its own developments position FACSA as a leader in its field. In fact, it is a pioneer among companies in the water sector in implementing and certifying its R&D&I system in Spain under the UNE 166.002 standard.
It currently has a staff of more than 800 people, is present in 7 autonomous communities and is in the midst of a national expansion process.
FACSA belongs to Gimeno Group, a diversified business holding company that operates in sectors such as environmental management, port logistics, construction, tourism and leisure, among others.
More information: www.facsa.com
Gimeno Group Press Office
Carolina Beguer
E-mail: Cbeguer@grupogimeno.com
Tel.: 964 255 063 / 691 321 930
