Foreword by the President of UC3M

Having reached this point, it is time to search for a new challenge, and in this case, it is to reach a similar level among the leading European universities. To do this, in recent years we have sought to strengthen our international focus by recruiting top students, professors and researchers both nationally as well as internationally.

The result has been somewhat of a paradox; by moving beyond our frontiers, we have returned to the classic university model, providing a place to bring together international scholars and ideas.

As part of this new cycle, the Chairs of Excellence project has, in only four years, proven to be an extraordinarily important tool; one which attracts outstanding professors from around the world to join our faculty for several months. We all benefit from these stays, not only because they share their science and world vision with us, but because we can also offer a stimulating experience and example to our students and recent PhD holders, who have the unique opportunity to learn directly from some of the best representatives of academic knowledge in the world.

This initiative receives the solid and enthusiastic backing of Banco Santander which, through this project, continues in its commitment to universities and education as a driving force for social development. It is our hope that this introduction can begin to express our gratitude to such
a significant collaborator, and one with which we hope to continue to share challenges in higher education. 

Daniel Peña
President Universidad Carlos III de Madrid