- Over these 20 years, the iTEAM has developed more than 1,300 research projects, published over 1,600 articles and scientific papers, and created 5 spin-offs. Additionally, it has brought in more than 170 million euros in competitive projects.
- During the celebration event, the commemorative poster for these 20 years of R&D&I at iTEAM was unveiled, created by the Valencian illustrator Paco Roca.
The Institute of Telecommunications and Multimedia Applications (iTEAM) of the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) celebrated today, coinciding with the International Telecommunications Day, the commemorative event of its twentieth anniversary. The event, which took place at the Fundación Bancaja de València, reviewed the twenty-year history of the Institute, led by its current director, Narcís Cardona.
Cardona highlighted the importance of iTEAM’s scientific production and innovation over these 20 years, as demonstrated by the 216 doctoral theses supervised, the leadership and participation in more than 1,300 research projects, the publication of 1,600 articles and scientific papers, the granting of 57 patents—some of which have been exploited through 5 spin-offs created—and the support for various startups and the recognition obtained through 71 awards, including a Jaume I Award, a National Research Award, and an Academy of Physics Award.
“These figures show that iTEAM is not just a research institute, but an innovation ecosystem and a growth engine for the Telecommunications sector in the Valencian Community,” Narcís Cardona emphasized.
Key in the Valencian business fabric
The director of iTEAM also presented a report on the impact of Telecommunications Technologies on Society and the regional science and innovation system. Among the figures in this report, Cardona pointed out that the telecommunications sector in the Valencian Community represents 2.92% of the GDP. “The companies and entities collaborating with iTEAM have contributed 1% to the regional GDP, corresponding to 33.85% of the total sector revenue, with SMEs making up 40.47% of these entities,” Cardona noted.
The director of iTEAM also highlighted that currently, this UPV institute has agreements with companies that, in the Valencian Community alone, account for more than 3% of the GDP. “We have created and supported the business fabric of the Community, and over these 20 years, we have brought in more than 170 million euros in competitive projects, a third of which in the last 5 years,” Cardona emphasized.
The event was attended by the rector of the Universitat Politècnica de València, José E. Capilla; the Regional Secretary of Universities, Ester Gómez; the Regional Secretary of Finance and Funding, Eusebio Monzó; and the Director General of Information and Communication Technologies, José Manuel García Duarte.
Commemorative poster by Paco Roca
During the event, the commemorative poster for these 20 years of R&D&I at iTEAM was also unveiled, created by the Valencian illustrator Paco Roca. It depicts the Palace of Communications of Valencia, specifically its iconic tower and three allegorical sculptures, updated with 21st-century technology.