On Monday, March 3rd, professor Jacques Drèze was conferred a doctor honoris causa degree by the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. He was nominated by the UAB Faculty of Economics and Business Studies in recognition of his outstanding academic merits, his contribution in promoting and structuring research in Europe, and his role in the creation of institutions which promote the internationalization, quality and application of economic research to help solve problems affecting society. The ceremony took place at 12 PM in the Conference Hall (Sala d'actes) of the UAB Bellaterra campus.

Jacques Drèze is Professor Emeritus and member of CORE at the Université Catholique de Louvain. The distinguished professor’s promoter in the ceremony was UAB and Professor Salvador Barberà, who described the professor as “one of the premiere European economists,” going on to say that “his research has opened new pathways in a variety of area, for example theory of general equilibrium, game theory, econometrics (in particular with his focus on Bayesian theory), macroeconomics and political economics.”

In his acceptance speech, Professor Drèze cited the excellence of the UAB, citing in particular its pioneering role in the establishment of a solid economics foundation in Barcelona . The ceremony was concluded with a speech by UAB Rector Lluís Ferrer.