• The researcher received recognition for his contributions to statistics and international cooperation. His participation in CLATSE reinforces the academic alliance between Europe and Latin America
• During his lecture, the UDC professor advocated for comprehensive training to address the ethical and technological challenges of the new data paradigm

A Coruña, 28 October  2025.- CITIC researcher Salvador Naya Fernández, Professor of Statistics and Operations Research at the Universidade da Coruña (UDC), recently took part in the XVII Latin American Congress of Statistical Societies (CLATSE), held in Quito, Ecuador. There, he underscored the paradigm shift currently taking place in statistics and strengthened academic collaboration between Europe and Latin America.

The CLATSE is a long-standing academic and professional forum for statistical exchange, held since the late 1980s in countries such as Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Mexico, Colombia, and Peru. This year, Ecuador hosted the event for the first time, consolidating its role within the international statistical community. The congress featured keynote lectures, specialised courses, papers, and panel discussions, along with the XIII International Seminar on Applied Statistics, organised by the Ecuadorian Statistical Society.

In his address, Naya reflected on the profound transformation that statistics has undergone in recent decades. He explained how the discipline has evolved from a classical approach to a transversal and interdisciplinary vision, driven by Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, and automated decision-making systems.

“Today, statistics not only describes and models reality – it transforms it. We are facing a new ecosystem of massive data, intelligent algorithms, and automated decisions, where the statistician’s role is more relevant than ever,” said Naya.

He emphasised the importance of holistic education that combines mathematical foundations, computational skills, and ethical principles to confront the challenges of an interconnected, data-driven world. Naya also highlighted CLATSE’s strategic value as a meeting platform for researchers, professionals, and students across Latin America:

“This congress is essential for strengthening the Latin American statistical community, sharing experiences, and building joint solutions to the social, economic, and environmental challenges facing our region.”

Recognition at EPN and institutional collaboration

Coinciding with his visit to Ecuador, Naya was invited to participate in the 50th anniversary celebration of the Mathematics Degree at the Escuela Politécnica Nacional (EPN). He opened the event with a lecture titled “From the Equator Line to the production line: History and future of measurement,” tracing the evolution of metrology from the famous geodesic expedition to Ecuador to modern dimensional control and calibration processes in Industry 5.0.

During the ceremony, he received a special recognition for his contributions to statistics, highlighting more than a decade of scientific and academic work that has strengthened cooperation between Europe and Latin America.

Lecture at ESPE: science, defence, and innovation

Naya also visited the Escuela Politécnica de las Fuerzas Armadas (ESPE), where he delivered the lecture “Defence and Innovation: Synergies between University, Industry, and State.” He presented public–private collaboration experiences in strategic projects such as the UDC–Navantia Joint Research Centre (CEMI) and the European project EDINAF, both of which promote knowledge transfer and applied innovation in the fields of defence and technological industry.

About CITIC

The CITIC is a research centre established in 2008 by the Universidade da Coruña to foster excellence in R&D&I applied to ICT. Its scientific activity is structured into four main research areas — Artificial Intelligence; Data Science and Engineering; High-Performance Computing; and Intelligent Services and Networks — as well as a cross-disciplinary area: Cybersecurity.

CITIC is recognised as a Centre of Excellence and a member of the CIGUS Network for the 2024–2027 period, attesting to the quality and impact of its research. The centre’s accreditation, organisation, and enhancement are co-funded by the Xunta de Galicia and 60% by the European Union under the ERDF Galicia 2021–2027 Operational Programme, within the thematic objective of promoting “a smarter Europe: innovative and intelligent economic transformation” (ED431G 2023/01).