Gabriel Ferraté (1932-2024)
Leaving an indelible mark on the UPC and Catalonia
ICFO, a research center affiliated with the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), joins all members of the university community in mourning the passing of Gabriel Ferraté. Ferraté was the rector of the Universitat Politècnica de Barcelona from 1972 to 1976 and of the now-named Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya from 1978 to 1994. During his over two decades as rector of the university, he laid the groundwork for the transformation of the university into the modern and internationally respected institution for engineering, architecture, science and technology that it is today. He notably renovated the structure of the UPC and created the North campus and that of Castelldefels where ICFO is located.
Known as a visionary and pioneer, helping to define the university and research system of Catalonia, he later went on to found and act as the first rector of the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), the world’s first online university. He has left an indelible mark not only on the UPC, but also on Catalonia.
On Tuesday, February 13, at 12 noon, a minute of silence will be held in all the centers of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - BarcelonaTech (UPC).