History

In 1961, Tecnun (School of Engineering at the University of Navarra) began its activity in Donostia-San Sebastián, becoming the fourth engineering school in Spain. From the very beginning, it has combined teaching with research in Metallurgy, responding to the strong industrial tradition of Gipuzkoa.

In 1963, the Technical Research Center (CIT) was established with financial support from the Provincial Savings Bank of Guipúzcoa (later Kutxa), with the aim of directing R&D projects and services towards the industry.

In 1967, the School of Engineering, with a forward-looking vision, built three buildings dedicated to research, fostering R&D in Mechanics, Electronics, and Environmental Engineering.

First doctoral thesis in the technological field in Basque (Dr. Jose Luis Nazabal in metallurgy).

In 1982, Ceit was founded as a non-profit research center, legally independent from the University of Navarra, although linked to it through a common project. Shortly afterwards, it was recognized as a supervised center by the Basque Government and declared to be of public interest. Manuel Fuentes was the first director of the center, while José María Bastero assumed the presidency, leading the consolidation process during Ceit's early years.

In 1987, Ceit obtained its first European project, titled "Toughness of a steel pressure vessel in the ductile-brittle transition region", within the ECSC (European Coal and Steel Community) programme.

By 1990, Ceit had grown to more than 100 people.

In 1991, research in Microsystems began, expanding the center’s capabilities in new technologies.

In 1996, ATM, Ceit's first spin-off, was established, marking the beginning of its commitment to technology transfer. In addition, more than 100 PhD theses had been defended.

In 1997, Ceit expanded its R&D areas by launching research in Communications.

By the year 2000, Ceit already had a team of 176 people.

In 2005, Ceit and three other Basque research centers formed the IK4 alliance, a federal model that allows them to share strategies and combine capabilities while maintaining the independence of each entity.

In 2006, Ceit's new building was inaugurated at the Miramón Technology Park, housing research in Electronics, Communications, and Microsystems.

In 2012, more than 350 PhD theses supervised by Ceit researchers were defended at Tecnun.

In September 2013, the Biomedical Engineering Center was launched, in collaboration with Tecnun and the Clínica Universidad de Navarra. It is a research center where R&D is carried out collaboratively between professionals in the fields of engineering, biosciences, and companies.

In 2018, Ceit surpassed 230 people on its team and had supported the creation of 13 spin-offs since 1996, which employ more than 300 professionals with high added-value profiles. That same year, Ceit's Strategic Council approved the 2018-2021 Strategic Plan, structuring the center into four divisions: Materials and Manufacturing, Transport and Energy, Water and Health, and ICT.

In 2019, Ceit joined the Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), a scientific-technological consortium of 16 members belonging to the Basque Network of Science, Technology, and Innovation, with the aim of strengthening cooperation and improving the international positioning of the Basque Country in the technological field.

In 2020 the Atomization Pilot Plant was inaugurated at the Miramón Technology Park, enhancing Ceit´s capabilities in advanced materials.

In 2022, Ceit celebrated its 40th anniversary at the Donostia-San Sebastián Aquarium, joined by authorities and representatives from the Basque industry, solidifying its role as a benchmark in applied research and technology transfer. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWl0zPlRfQk" target="_blank">Historic video 40th anniversary</a>. By then, Ceit had surpassed 500 defended PhD theses and launched 19 spin-offs. Moreover, it was selected as one of the 25 Founding Members of EuRail, among which only two are European technology centers: DLR in Germany and Ceit.