Por Redaccion 
The Counselor for University, Research, and Innovation, José Carlos Gómez Villamandos, has closed the Day of the Institute of Academies of Andalusia in Écija (Seville), where he emphasized the commitment of the Andalusian Government to these institutions, with which his department works on the development of a strategic plan with the aim of positioning these entities, which, in his opinion, are «essential agents to continue supporting not only education and research, but also the dissemination and protection of our cultural heritage.»
Thus, during his intervention at this annual meeting, where this year the career of Concepción Ortega Casado, a numerary academic of the Royal Academy of Sciences, Fine Arts, and Good Letters ‘Luis Vélez de Guevara’ of Écija, was recognized with the award of the Medal of Honor of the entity, Gómez Villamandos has vindicated the work of the institute and each of the 28 academies and royal academies of different branches of knowledge that exist in Andalusia, whose contribution «strengthens the dissemination, study, and reflection in scientific, artistic, and literary areas.»
Therefore, he has emphasized that they will continue to support these institutions so that they can continue to carry out their mission, a support that «is materialized year after year, increasing the amount we allocate» to promote their work. In this way, the counselor has recalled that in the 2023 budget, the amount for the academies was increased by 5%, an increase that was 7% in 2024, while for 2025, «the accounts consolidate that vocation and have been revised upwards again, specifically, a 10% increase compared to 2024, specifically, 547,946 euros.
On the other hand, Gómez Villamandos has pointed out that the collaboration of the academies «will be crucial» for the establishment of the Andalusian Science Office projected by the Ministry, together with the Andalusian Parliament. This initiative is included in the future Law for the Advancement of Science, Technology, and Innovation in Andalusia (ACTIVA).
The academies are public law corporations with their own legal personality, mainly dedicated to promoting research, development, and innovation, as well as, specifically, knowledge in any of its forms. Their activity can be carried out in the five major branches of knowledge: Arts and Humanities, Sciences, Health Sciences, Social Sciences and Law, Engineering and Architecture.