Meet the team: María Jesús Cardoso Moreno, University of Zaragoza

María Jesús Cardoso Moreno who works for the University of Zaragoza and manages the Tenacity project

Question 1: Firstly, tell us a bit about the University of Zaragoza (Unizar)

The University of Zaragoza is a public teaching and research institution which combines almost five centuries of history (since 1542) with a constantly updated range of courses. From its classrooms emerged celebrated students such as Miguel Servet. Also, former students occupy numerous professorships throughout the country, first-rate experimental scientists have promoted the practical applications of their studies in industry and from the University of Zaragoza many fine statesmen, humanists and medical scientists have emerged. Nowadays, the University of Zaragoza has 33442 students, 4371 teaching and research staff and 1723 administration and service staff.

Question 2. What is the motivation behind University of Zaragoza getting involved in the Tenacity project?

For Unizar, knowledge transfer is indispensable in such a globalised world. We believe that knowledge transfer is essential if we want to achieve excellence and if we want to be at the forefront.

Question 3. What do you hope to achieve through the project?

Society is facing many complex issues such as climate change, sustainability, the pandemic crisis, the challenges of democratic cultures and citizens’ well-being. Academic students who engage ins social justice are vitally important to meet these challenges.

Question 4. What do you personally find most interesting/exciting about the Tenacity project?

The project is going to build opportunities for promoting an inter-connected High Education (HE) system for Third Mission through a strong European network with students skilled in public engagement, open science, open innovation, knowledge transfer, academic service learning and digitalization. All these competences will generate a more democratic and open science to contribute to solve community and societal issues.

Question 5: How does University of Zaragoza hope to utilise the results of the Tenacity project in the future?

Unizar will use the products of this project to develop the universities’ public engagement dimension mobilizing resources and capacities to meet the needs of society and enterprises.