The University of Jaén presented the new one Pieralisi-UJA Chair of Economic and Historical Studies of the Compagnia Olearia, “with which we open a space for research, reflection and debate on agriculture and the agri-food industry, fundamentally linked to the olive grove and olive oil” has explained the rector of the university, Nicolás Ruiz. This chair, which was born in the olive-growing heart of theAndalusia, was created with the aim of promoting a public-private ecosystem of innovation and transfer, based on new developments for sustainable, more innovative and environmentally friendly olive growing, which improves economic profitability through new technologies and products and digitalisation of agricultural companies.
“He has a very practical approach to responding to the real digital needs of the sector - he added - and is supported by the prestige of the professionals of the University of Jaén who are on the front line. For this reason we are sure that it will be a reference and an example to follow for other universities too, because the best contribution that UJA can give, in this case in company with Pieralisi, is to analyze the sector with scientific rigor and propose strategies achievable that represent a real innovative push ".
A key moment for the agricultural sector
The rector of the UJA framed the creation of this new chair in the "key" moment in which the olive sector finds itself, called to face challenges “which force us all to provide solutions and which lead me to think that “there is an urgent need to accelerate the transformation to face the enormous current challenges”. In this sense, Nicolás Ruiz defined the company-university link as "essential" when it comes to putting new tools and technologies at the service of the professional operator and agribusiness, “so that they can face this new scenario based on digitalisation. and sustainability.”
Likewise, in his presentation, Nicolás Ruiz indicated that the creation of this new chair represents another example that demonstrates UJA's commitment to the territory in general, and the olive sector, in particular: “It is a good way to exercise social leadership, which we are happy to assume, bringing knowledge, research and innovation to our territory. And for this reason we have supported this initiative from the first minute and for this I also expressly congratulate its promoters".
“We are very proud – concluded the rector – that we have launched a tool that will improve our institution's relations with the closest socioeconomic environment, while bringing the knowledge generated in our classrooms, in our laboratories, closer to the needs of the real economy of our countries and cities. Academics and researchers want to be close to the province's agri-food professionals, to ask them what they need and bring them knowledge and innovation. Furthermore, we intend to identify and respond to weaknesses that the sector may have, such as commercialization in high value-added markets, shortcomings in agricultural digitalisation or the challenge of drought”..
Also participating in the presidency presentation was president of the Provincial Council of Jaén, Francisco Reyes; the executive director of the International Olive Council (IOC), Jaime Lillo; the director of Pieralisi for Spain e Portugal, Rodrigo Jaén; and the director of Teacher's desk, teacher ofUJA Juan Antonio Parrilla.
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