The area of Information and Communication Technologies (TIC) is a bridge between the research environment and the industrial fabric to promote the creation and development of technologically-based companies and jobs. To this effect, it has 500 expert researchers in subjects such as ICTs, Computing and Computation, Structural Integrity and Components, or Chemical Technology.
The capacity of research and transfer in UC R+D+i groups will be consolidated with the setting up of the Institute for Development and Innovation in Information and Communication Technologies (IDITIC), the result of the collaboration between the University of Cantabria, the Regional Government, Santander Town Council and Caja Cantabria.
The action-line which has permitted the setting up of the Institute to come about is SmartSantander, a project in the European Framework Programme headed by the UC and Teléfonica, with the participation of 15 international institutions, which will make the city and its surroundings a research centre of smart cities which is unique in the world. An ICT cluster with companies within the sector will be formed regarding these initiatives.
On the other hand, throughout 2012 the first construction phase of the Santander Fire Research Centre Installations will be completed. This will transform the University of Cantabria into an international reference centre for research, development and technological innovation in fire safety.