In doing so, Dr Balaguer has received the highest academic recognition at university level, having previously achieved academic, professional, teaching and research honours.

Dr Albert Balaguer holds an undergraduate degree in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Barcelona and a PhD from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. He specialises in Paediatrics, with a subspecialty in Neonatology, and has worked at the Vall d’Hebrón University Hospital and St. Joan University Hospital in Reus. He has been dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences since September 2008, a position he holds in addition to that of director of Paediatrics at Catalonia General Hospital.