IDIBELL and Vicente Ferrer Foundation have signed a cooperation agreement to conduct common research activities. The framework agreement includes the exchange of research staff, organization of scientific events, the development of innovative health interventions and technology transfer activities, and the use of scientific facilities. The agreement includes a program to support predoctoral biomedicine students from India hosted by Vicente Ferrer Foundation in Andhra Pradesh region of India. The programme offers the possibility to obtain the PhD degree at IDIBELL facilities.

Vicente Ferrer Foundation is a non-governmental development organization created in 1969 with the aim of improving the quality of life of the rural community of Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh region, southern India. Currently, the foundation has a staff of 2,200 people, of whom 99% are from Anantapur. The organization provides services to 2,604 villages, benefiting more than two and a half million people.

In 2008, the Bellvitge University Hospital signed a collaboration agreement with the governmental entity. At that time, the hospital became the first country’s public health centre in formalizing a partnership with an NGO. The agreement involves an institutional commitment under which enables Bellvitge health professionals to collaborate in hospitals run by Vicente Ferrer Foundation in India. Now, the agreement with IDIBELL extends this collaboration to research activities.

The agreement demonstrates the commitment of Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute to the development of societies by means of knowledge and innovation.