University of Extremadura

One of the Spanish higher-education institutions with a large increase in research, development and innovation

The University of Extremadura is among the Spanish universities with large increases in scientific production, funds raised and “spin-off” companies.

The University of Extremadura (UEX), located in the southwest of Spain and on the border with Portugal, was founded in 1973, and presently has approximately 24,000 students; 1,068 students enrolled in the doctorate programs which 30% are foreing”, 1,940 lecturers and professors 53.68% hold a doctorate, and 844 staff members for administration and other services. 1,463 of the lecturers and professors have a full-time dedication. The UEX is divided into four different campuses in the cities of Badajoz, Cáceres, Mérida and Plasencia, although the first two cities have 95% of all the students. Cáceres and Mérida have been declared World Heritage sites.

The scientific output of Extremadura is ranked among the first six regions of Spain (of a total of 17) in the fields of Earth Sciences, Environmental Studies, Biological Sciences, Agriculture and Food Research. In addition, it also heads the average growth rate in five other fields: Agriculture and Food Research, Computer Studies, Social Sciences, Medicine, and Chemistry. Within the regional research system, development and innovation, the scientific output of the UEX accounts for a contribution of 84% of the total amount.

The funds raised by the researchers through projects and contracts amounted to f25 million in 2008. In the period 2004-08 fundraising was multiplied by four.

The “spin-off” enterprise rate established by the researchers of the UEX in the last three years is of four annually, almost doubling the average of Spanish universities (2.2 enterprises per year).

In the campuses of Cáceres and Badajoz, the UEX houses the Scientific and Technology Park, where enterprises carry out R&D activities in collaboration with the research groups of the UEX.

Image related to: University of ExtremaduraUniversity of Extremadura