To speak of the University is to speak of an unsusual reality: as an institution it begins at the dawn of the 12th century and that lasts to this day; it arises in the West but is present in all countries and cultures; and it includes very different educational projects under the same term. Indeed, although the University is the institution in charge of the higher education, of professional training and of research, the more than 20,000 universities in the world consider how to achieve these purposes in very different ways. Is it possible then to speak of the mission of the university? What does a university really pretend to be?
On May 29, 2020, Prof. María Iraburu had a virtual meeting with 20 professors from Austral University to reflect on the mission of the University.
María Iraburu Elizalde studied Biological Sciences at the University of Navarra. She defended her doctoral thesis in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in 1992, and between 1993 and 1996 she conducted post-doctoral studies at the Liver Research Center of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, in New York.
Since 1996, when she rejoined the University of Navarra, her research has focused on the study of molecular mechanisms involved in liver pathophysiology, and specifically in the regulation of fibrosis.
She has been principal researcher of 4 projects funded by the Government of Navarra and the Ministry of Health and of Consumer Affairs, and has directed 7 doctoral theses to date. In 2007 she was appointed Full Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Along with her research activity, she has taught at the schools of Medicine and Science, of which she has also served as Vice Dean. In 2005 she was named Vice President for Student Affairs, and in 2012 she became Vice President for Faculty Affairs.
We thank María for her virtual visit, and we look forward to welcoming her personally to the Pilar Campus as soon as possible.
