The University of Zaragoza creates an institute for foresight and educational research

The University of Zaragoza has created the Institute for Foresight and Research in Education and Citizenship (IPIEC), its own educational research center. The agreement of the University’s Governing Council, adopted on September 25, 2026, is published in the Official Gazette of Aragon on October 20, 2026 (no. 203), by resolution of October 6 from Rector Rosa María Bolea Bailo (official reference BOA20261020023).

The creation culminates a procedure initiated on December 10, 2025, when the Governing Council initially approved the constitution of the center as its own university research institute. The file received a favorable report from the Aragon Agency for University Quality and Foresight (ACPUA) on July 31, 2026, and was subject to public consultation between September 11 and 18, 2026.

The agreement is based on Article 41 of Organic Law 2/2023, of March 22, on the University System, and Article 25 of the Statutes of the University of Zaragoza. In addition to definitively approving the creation and the regulations, the Council agreed to submit the agreement to the Social Council for its acknowledgment.

An internal institute without legal personality

The IPIEC is constituted as its own university research institute, dependent on the University of Zaragoza, integrated into its organic structure and without its own legal personality. Its implementing regulation is the University’s Framework Regulation for University Institutes, approved by agreement of the Governing Council on October 19, 2005.

Its goals are to promote research in education to position it in places of national and international excellence, bring together the University’s researchers around this subject, and articulate relationships between groups to foster joint and multidisciplinary projects.

Its functions include:

• Promoting, planning, and coordinating research and transfer programs in education.
• Promoting collaboration with other similar centers and institutes and entry into the most recognized networks in the field.
• Advising non-university teaching staff in Aragon on educational research.
• Contributing to the diagnosis and improvement of the Aragonese educational system.
• Encouraging collaboration with the Government of Aragon in research, innovation, and transfer.
• Organizing postgraduate studies and specialization activities.
• Attracting funds and resources for educational research.

Twenty-five researchers and six initial areas

The regulations require that the institute maintain a minimum of twenty-five researchers at all times, of whom at least fifteen must be permanent members. A distinction is made between permanent members—personnel with permanent or indefinite ties to the University—and temporary members—those hired for a defined duration, researchers in training, emeritus professors, and extraordinary collaborators.

Researchers from other universities or entities may be affiliated, as well as researchers from the Aragonese Agency for Research and Development Foundation (ARAID) hired to carry out their activity at the University of Zaragoza. As a general entry requirement, it is required to have achieved the maximum number of possible six-year research periods (sexenios) or, alternatively, to have at least two granted, with the last one still active.

The institute begins with six research areas:

• Education and human rights.
• Teaching innovation.
• Educational system.
• Teacher training and lifelong learning.
• Psychology and sociology of education.
• European Education Area and international education.

The Institute Council may create, abolish, or rename areas. Researchers from a group recognized by the Government of Aragon must be grouped within the same area.

Management, governance, and funding

The governing bodies are the Institute Council and the director. The Council elects and may remove the director through a motion of censure supported by at least 25% of its members and approved by an absolute majority. The director’s term lasts six non-renewable years, as does that of the area heads, and the management team cannot exceed six non-renewable years.

The Council meets in ordinary session at least once per semester during academic periods, with a minimum notice of five business days; extraordinary sessions require 48 hours. Sector representatives have a four-year term, and temporary research personnel have a two-year term.

Regarding economic matters, the IPIEC will be funded by the resources it captures or generates, without prejudice to those exceptionally allocated by the University during its startup period or for the maintenance of facilities, and it may receive sponsorships and apply for regional, national, and international calls.

The regulations will enter into force the day after their publication in the Official Bulletin of the University of Zaragoza. Until then, the rector will appoint a provisional director to lead the process of creating the institute.

The creation of the IPIEC provides Aragonese educational research with a stable coordination structure, with the capacity to advise non-university teaching staff and to maintain direct dialogue with the Government of Aragon regarding the improvement of the educational system.

Source: Official Gazette of Aragon, no. 203, October 20, 2026, section III. Other Provisions and Agreements (official reference: BOA20261020023).