Both institutional representatives played a key role in the negotiation process that culminated in the alliance between the Government of Catalonia ( Generalitat de Catalunya ) and the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft. In this context, Ms. Gemma Geis, during her tenure as Minister for Research and Universities of the Government of Catalonia, visited Fraunhofer UK in the United Kingdom, where she gained first hand insight into its impact on Scotland’s ecosystem. Meanwhile, Mr. Xavier Aldeguer, as Director General for Knowledge Transfer during the terms of Minister Geis and Minister Nadal, led the negotiation and signed the collaboration protocol between the Department of Research and Unive rsities ( Departament de Recerca i Universitats ) and the Fraunhofer institute.

During the visit, the objectives and future projects of the new Fraunhofer CAT center were shared, and synergies and collaboration opportunities were analyzed within innovative initiatives in the fields of health, food, and sport that the city of Girona is promoting. The willingness for joint collaboration will make it possible to define, together with entities in the Girona area, actions to increase innovation and the internationalization of these strategic sectors.