The dean of the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Navarra has appointed the first board of directors of the Museum of Natural Sciences, with the aim of promoting its activities and continuing to advance this project.

The members of the board of directors, who will combine this work with their current activities at the University, are as follows:

• Ignacio López-Goñi: Director of the Museum.

• Arturo Ariño: scientific director.

• David Galicia: collections manager.

• Marta Revuelta: responsible for activities.

• Laura Juampérez: communications manager.

• Miguel Vallinas: head of fundraising.

María Iraburu, Vice Chancellor for Faculty, gives us some clues about this initiative, which is part of the University's strategic plan.

Why the Museum of Natural Sciences? Why now?
The Museum of Natural Sciences is one of the projects of Horizon 2020, which also includes the Madrid campus, together with other plans that aim to improve teaching and research. Within this plan, the museum responds to two needs.

One, very basic one: for years there has been a real space problem in the Science area, where the faculties of Medicine, Nursing, Science, and Pharmacy and Nutrition share space and resources. Probably about 45% of the University's activity takes place in this area of the campus. One of the reasons for promoting the Museum of Natural Sciences at this time is to seek a solution that will simultaneously contribute to alleviating the space problem in this area.

The second does not refer to the building, but to the activity. Over the years, thanks to the donation of different collections, especially that of Lekaroz, an institution very dear to the people of Navarre, and the work of the departments involved, a natural science collection of great value has been generated. Currently, part of the museum's collections are exhibited in the corridors of the Hexagon, a temporary solution that takes too long. We believe that the collection can be the basis for teaching, research and outreach activities that contribute to promote environmental awareness and responsibility, not only in science students, but also in the entire university community. It would also be a great contribution to the city and the community.

In order to have a building that will meet the needs of the Science area and accommodate this project, it will first be necessary to obtain donations. But the idea is not to wait to have it in order to promote the Museum's activities, which will be developed in the coming years.