On March 18, 2011, the University of Navarra, the Foundation for Applied Medical Research (FIMA) and the Government of Navarra, with the support of the Secretary General of the Socialist Party of Navarra (PSN), signed a protocol, which proposed the transfer of the Donapea Vocational Training Center to a new headquarters and the acquisition of the site and the building by FIMA, in order to install three new research centers (Tropical Health, Bioengineering and Nutrition).

These new centers would entail, in the coming years, the creation of a good number of qualified jobs, in addition to a significant investment. The agreement established conditions and deadlines, according to which the University could acquire Donapea, at a price set by independent appraisers, in September 2013. The signing of the agreement was the culmination of a negotiation process, which gave way to the desire of the Government and the PSN to promote Vocational Training and the University's plans to create new research centers, along the lines of CIMA.

The spirit of negotiation was always one of consensus. The then rector, Ángel J. Gómez-Montoro, repeatedly stated that, for the University, the project had two requirements: that it should be born in a climate of the broadest possible consensus and that it should be positive for the parties involved, the vocational training centers and the research centers. This climate was maintained up to the moment of signing and also afterwards, for some time, as can be seen in the newspaper archives. However, in recent months, the political context has changed and the initial spirit of understanding has been altered. In fact, the project is now a factor of discord and confrontation of opinions, all of them legitimate.

Given the lack of consensus, the University of Navarra has decided to terminate the agreement, a possibility contemplated in the protocol signed in March 2011. I have communicated this to the President of the Government of Navarra. With this step we hope to contribute to the recovery of harmony, which is the appropriate context to promote any project in the field of education and research.

As of today, the University will open a period of reflection, during which it will re-examine the future of the research centers. Although we are not yet in a position to specify how, I would like to confirm to the researchers that we will do everything possible to move forward with the new centers.

I would like to thank the support and trust that many people and institutions have shown us throughout this process. I would also like to thank the Government of Navarra, and in particular its President, for her loyalty to the commitments acquired with the signing of the agreement.

Data on the University's contribution to Navarra
Social impact of tropical health research