Carles Solà, former UAB rector and Catalan minister, dies at 80

Carles Solà i Ferrando, the former rector of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) and former Catalan Minister of Universities, has died at the age of 80.

During his tenure as rector of the UAB from 1994 to 2002, Solà oversaw significant institutional expansions, including the creation of the School of Engineering, the Doctoral School, and the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology. He also facilitated the university's adaptation to the European Higher Education Area and inaugurated landmarks such as the Plaça Cívica and the university's iconic four columns.

As a government official, Solà served as the Minister of Universities in the Catalan government led by Pasqual Maragall between 2003 and 2006. He was a key figure in promoting the Catalan Association of Public Universities (ACUP) and the Xarxa Vives d'Universitats. A specialist in chemical sciences, his academic research focused on biotechnology, vaccine production, and CO2 capture processes.