The Government plans to install a UIB faculty at Parc Bit

PalmaThe Government plans the implementation of an Engineering faculty of the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB) in the Balearic Park of Technological Innovation, the Parc Bit in Palma. It is the main bet of the Ministry of Economy and Finance to boost this business park in the technological field. This is confirmed to ARA Balears by sources from the department, who detail that the project would serve to complement the main research centers in the Islands, along with the UIB campus and the Health Research Institute (IdISBa). The same sources point out that the distance between the university campus and Parc Bit is a few minutes by bicycle and only 1.5 minutes by metro, which is why they consider it relevant to foster dialogue between the two spaces. However, this is a proposal that would see the light of day with a view to the next legislature.

In parallel, the Executive has on the table the possibility of expanding the territorial extension of Parc Bit in Menorca, maintaining that of Ibiza and also projecting new ones in municipalities such as Manacor and Inca. In addition, the possibility of restructuring Fundació Bit is being considered, the organization that brings together the Park and also all the technology service provision to the Government itself. Sebastián González is its current manager, but sources from the Ministry explain that the possibility is being evaluated that the entity be more independent of the Government and that its positions have more technical profiles.

On April 30, the Government approved a modification of the Special Plan of Parc Bit to build 200 housing units in coliving regime; that is, renting rooms for workers related to the world of research, who would share common spaces. According to sources from the department, part of these apartments would also be intended for students of the future Faculty of Engineering, given the current saturation of the UIB residence. On the other hand, the Executive wants to recover plots of this space that were sold and has already attempted to acquire several properties through pre-emption and redemption, in addition to promoting the implementation of services aimed at companies and researchers, for example, catering.

The Malaga Technology Park, the benchmark

The Andalusia Technology Park (PTA), known as Màlaga TechPark, is the main benchmark for the Ministry's plans for Parc Bit. In operation since 1992, it specializes in ICT, R&D, and Biotechnology sectors, and contains 719 companies and nearly 29,018 workers, according to data from the Association of Science and Technology Parks of Spain (APTE). Although it does not have faculties within its facilities, the University of Màlaga (UMA) has a presence through an office at the park's headquarters, with the aim of fostering the connection between research and companies.

The undeniable boost that this decision will bring also confirms a considerable failure: Parc Bit has not been the center of technological impulse and innovation that was expected. This is confirmed to ARA Balears by sources close to the Executive, who admit that neither the number of companies nor the activities carried out there have achieved what was intended. Already during the Pact's time, its managers admitted the complications they had encountered to truly maintain a real business incubator and a vibrant technological ecosystem.

Parc Bit was inaugurated in 2002, during Jaume Matas's term, with the aim of promoting innovation and the development of technological projects at the Ministry. At that time, many voices, such as environmentalists, already warned that the countryside was being urbanized under a technological pretext and that this project, designed by Richard Rogers, would not come to fruition. Currently, there are 115 companies and more than 3,800 workers. However, the plans of the former popular president have been only partially fulfilled. A large part of the companies that form it are not strictly linked to innovation. The park reforms planned by the Government aim to improve the functioning of this space.