In his speech before the Senate Commission of Inquiry, Juan Carlos Doadrio explained that the approval of Begoña Gómez’s candidacy to head the Chair of Innovation at the Complutense University of Madrid was based on a comprehensive review of her professional experience and her ties to the private sector. As Europa Press reported, Doadrio explained before Judge Juan Carlos Peinado that although Gómez does not have an advanced academic degree, his professional history is considered sufficient to meet the requirements required by the university’s internal regulations for these types of positions.
The testimony of Doadrio, former vice-rector for planning and institutional relations of the UCM, is part of the judicial investigation known as the “Begoña Gómez case”. Europa Press reported that in his testimony before the judge, the former vice-rector defended that the selection process and access to the chair’s leadership were in accordance with current regulations and that Gómez’s candidacy had passed a formal and academic evaluation that included a review of merits and abilities. According to Europa Press, Doadrio assured that the rector’s intervention was normal as long as the documentation was complete and the candidate’s competencies had been verified by the relevant departments of the university.
During the examination before the judge and the Senate, Doadrio emphasized that Gómez had already developed a teaching career by obtaining a master’s degree, maintained relevant relationships in the business sector and had received a positive academic evaluation from the UCM. The Europa Press medium explained that this statement responded to the doubts that arose regarding compliance with the formal requirements for access to the management of the Chair and clarified that the internal regulations provide that professional experience can replace the requirement of certain academic titles for access to these management positions.
Parliamentary and judicial investigations examine whether there were administrative irregularities, breach of trust, influence peddling, commercial corruption, professional interference or the misappropriation of software in connection with academic activities during the establishment and management of the chair. According to Europa Press, the investigation sponsored by the Popular Party in the Senate names several figures linked to the matter, including businessman Juan Carlos Barrabés, whose involvement in the creation of the presidency is also being examined. The meetings will take place in the Clara Campoamor room and are part of the investigations into the relationships between the university, private entities and the people involved in the process.
According to Europa Press, given Begoña Gómez’s proximity to the government environment, the parliamentary commission looked into the existence of political or business connections that could have influenced the development or operation of the presidency. The surveys focused on both the technical aspects of the university process and the possible relevance of these relationships for job placement.
The management and use of the economic resources used in the presidency are also part of the judicial analysis, according to Europa Press. This aspect includes the review of the documentation provided at each stage of the process, the assessment of the candidate’s competencies and sufficient professional experience, elements that Doadrio presented to the judge and the Senate Commission as evidence of compliance with internal standards.
The former vice-rector emphasized, as Europa Press reported, that the entire procedure had been submitted to normal channels and that an internal assessment of Gómez’s merits had taken place before the UCM approved the proposal. The commissions continue with the documentary analysis to determine whether the institutional approach was consistent with the principles of fairness, transparency and competition.
According to Europa Press, the Senate’s investigative measures include new subpoenas throughout the week to clarify both the circumstances of the trial and the possible responsibilities related to the chairman’s approval. The role played by Doadrio and other university officials in approving privately funded or sponsored chairs remains subject to the oversight of judicial and legislative authorities.
Reports published by Europa Press indicate that the impact of this case goes beyond the university environment and raises questions about the influence of public and private figures on academic decision-making and the university’s institutional image. The research process monitors the existence of clear criteria and defined procedures for the allocation of positions within academic structures with private participation, the regulation and control of which is subject to both legal and parliamentary control.
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