UPV/EHU will not renew its partnership agreement with CAF after five years of running

UPV/EHU will not renewits partnership agreement with CAF, which expires on 31 December after a five-year journey. The agreement communicated by the rectorate to the University's Governing Council will lead to the closure of the CAF classroom. All this has caused unrest, especially among the professors of the Bilbao School of Engineering.

The break comes after years of discussions within the university about the Guipuzcoan company's relationship with Israel and its role in the occupation of the Palestinian territories. The decision is part of the criticism directed at CAF for its participation in projects linked to the occupied territories, an issue that placed the continuation of agreements at the centre of the debate.

At the Bilbao Schoolof Engineering, however, concern has been raised about the academic and industrial consequences that the measure may have. The director of the school, Charles Pinto, has expressed his anger at the decision and warned of the risk of the rupture spreading to other companies with which the university has cooperation agreements.

These include Sener and ITP. Some student organizations have also questioned their relationship with these companies because of their involvement in the arms industry.

Pinto fears that the decision on CAF will bring a long line and affect other companies in the future. He believes that the remoteness of these companies could damage the relationship between the School of Engineering and the Basque industrial fabric, thereby reducing the professional opportunities of students.

On 31 December, at the end of the agreement, the University will terminate the five-year partnership with CAF.