On the left, María Teresa Carballeira, executive secretary of the CGU. On the right, David Rodeiro, beneficiary of the Compostela Group of Universities-CETYS Chair.
CGU
Good morning David, congratulations for being the beneficiary of the Compostela Group of Universities-CETYS Chair! First, we would like you to tell us about your academic profile.
David Rodeiro
I am a full professor in the Department of Financial Economics and Accounting at the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC). My research developes mainly in the areas of entrepreneurship, in particular, university entrepreneurship. My doctoral thesis dealt with the creation of university spin-offs and I also supervised some theses in this area. Then I did research on other methods of technology transfer and innovation and also participated in different European projects such as FanBest. FanBest is a project funded by the European Union on Atlantic space that promotes technology transfer to companies working in the maritime field, looking for tools and ways of financing to help different projects, to create and develop final products that can be launched to the market.
The programme I proposed for CETYS is about university entrepreneurship, transfer and technology and all those tools that can be used to help develop projects for researchers and teachers.
CGU
Why did you decide to join CETYS and how did you find out about it?
David Rodeiro
I found out about it through the USC External Relations Office, which publicised the call of the Compostela Group of Universities among the faculty and I decided to sign up since I am a person who is used to doing research stays and being a visiting professor in many countries and universities. I was interested in getting to know the reality and the situation at the university in Mexico and I thought this was a good opportunity.
CGU
What does it mean for you to be the beneficiary to enjoy the chair?
David Rodeiro
For me it is a compliment because, as the CGU has commented, the number of candidates was high and the fact that they have chosen my proposal is something that I am pleased about on a personal level and also on a professional level because it is a recognition of my area of work. This shows how important the entrepreneurial function is for universities all over the world.
CGU
What do you think this chair will bring to you personally and professionally, and what do you think you can bring to CETYS?
David Rodeiro
Personally and professionally, these chairs are a magnificent tool to establish contacts on a personal level, but also on an institutional level, therefore, I wish there is a collaboration that is not only restricted to the duration of the visit, but that can be more lasting over time. I hope to see what systems they use in other types of universities, particularly in a private university in another country, as it may be an example of an institution that carries out outreach activities in a different way to the universities in Galicia.
I can provide CETYS with a counterpart point of view, a vision of how this type of activity is carried out in public institutions that have been developed for a long time. We have to take into account that the USC was one of the pioneers in Spain in starting entrepreneurship activities.
CGU
Is this your first time working in Mexico? How are you preparing for it?
David Rodeiro
It’s the first time I’m going to visit the country and therefore on a personal level it will also be a way of discovering a new country, a new environment. As far as the preparations are concerned, when I received the acceptance, I already started to investigate the situation of the university, of the area where I am going and, therefore, I already have an idea of what my stay in Mexico is going to be like. In particular, I have already been in contact with CETYS to check and ask some questions I had about the university and its area.
CGU
Thank you very much David. We wish you a good experience in Mexico.
David Rodeiro
Thank you.