In a recent interview, Xavier Baraza, the dean of the UOC’s Faculty of Economics and Business, shared his expertise on the ongoing ecological and digital transitions. He explains that these shifts, while posing initial challenges like increased costs from new regulations and technologies, are a net positive. They create opportunities for businesses to boost efficiency, improve their public image, and innovate with new business models.
For Catalan small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), collaboration is key, both locally and internationally. The interview also highlighted the rise of “green professions” in areas like sustainable business, green finance, and sustainable mobility. To accelerate this growth, Baraza suggests promoting specialized training, offering government incentives, and fostering technological innovation.
Baraza offered specific examples of how digitalization and sustainability can work together, mentioning smart agriculture, smart grids, and the digitalized circular economy. He believes the future of green employment and innovation lies in these key sectors. The interview also stressed the growing importance of soft skills such as critical thinking, adaptability, and emotional intelligence for the modern workforce. Baraza concluded by outlining his faculty’s commitment to preparing students for this changing landscape by integrating sustainability and digital transformation into their academic programs and research.
