Bylaws

On 24 March 2026, CETINIA adapted its bylaws to the Regulations on University Institutes and Research Centres of Rey Juan Carlos University (approved by the Governing Council of Rey Juan Carlos University at its meeting of 24 March 2026 and published in the Official Gazette of Rey Juan Carlos University on 10 April 2026).

Bylaws of the Research Centre for Intelligent Information Technologies at University Rey Juan Carlos (CETINIA)

Article 1

The Research Centre for Intelligent Information Technologies at University Rey Juan Carlos (CETINIA) is a university centre with headquarters in the Annexe to the Rectorate building, created by a decision of the Governing Council of March 28, 2008 and endorsed by the Social Council in its session of March 16, 2009. In accordance with the transitional provision of the Regulations on University Institutes and Research Centres of Rey Juan Carlos University (published in the Official Gazette of Rey Juan Carlos University on 3 May 2024), CETINIA has adapted its operations to comply with those regulations. 

Article 2

CETINIA aims to bring together a critical mass of researchers and high-quality research groups in the strategic field of Artificial Intelligence and Information Technologies in order to carry out scientific and technical activities and provide support in research, development and innovation (R&D&I) within this sector.

Article 3

CETINIA's activities include:

a) Generating new knowledge in the field of Artificial Intelligence and Information Technologies.

b) Cooperating in the analysis of socioeconomic, legal, and ethical issues requiring research.

c) Contributing to the training of research personnel.

d) Applying Artificial Intelligence and Information Technologies to socioeconomic challenges.

e) Providing consultancy and technological services.

f) Collaborating in the identification and protection of exploitable research results.

g) Presenting research findings at high-quality scientific and technical forums.

h) Promoting the application of its work within the socioeconomic sector.

i) Encouraging participation in national and international professional associations and committees.

j) Establishing links with national and international R&D&I stakeholders.

k) Organising conference series and seminars.

l) Designing, updating, and disseminating promotional materials.

m) Carrying out any other scientific or technical activity that contributes to achieving the Centre’s objectives.

Article 4

Members and associate members of CETINIA may be those categories established in Articles 8 and 14 of the Regulations on University Institutes and Research Centres of Rey Juan Carlos University, under the conditions established therein.

Article 5

The scientific and technical activities of the Centre are carried out by CETINIA researchers and are organised through the Research Groups attached to the Centre.

Article 6

1. All CETINIA members and associate members engaged in R&D&I activities shall be considered researchers of the Centre.

2. Members of a Research Group attached to CETINIA acquire the status of researchers of the Centre.

3. CETINIA researchers must reflect this status in project applications, publications, and any other documents disseminating their scientific activity.

4. A member of a Research Group attached to CETINIA may individually waive their status as a Centre researcher by submitting a reasoned written request to the Director of the Centre.

5. CETINIA shall maintain an up-to-date official register of Centre researchers on its website.

Article 7

1. Research Groups attached to CETINIA constitute an intermediate level within the Centre's management structure. The coordinators of Research Groups attached to the Centre may assist the governing and administrative bodies of CETINIA in the performance of their functions.

2. The attachment of a URJC Research Group to CETINIA is subject to simultaneous compliance with the following requirements:

a) The Research Group must be recognised by URJC as a “Consolidated Research Group” or a “High-Performance Research Group”.
b) The group's research activities and projects must be aligned with CETINIA's current research lines and contribute significantly to achieving the Centre's objectives.
c) At least one of the Research Group's coordinators must be a member of CETINIA.

3. Exceptionally, for duly justified strategic reasons, a Research Group from another institution may be attached to CETINIA provided that it meets quality standards similar to those required under paragraph 2 of this article and carries out R&D&I projects or activities linked to the Centre. In such cases, at least one of the group's coordinators must be a CETINIA collaborator.

4. A Research Group, through its coordinators, may request attachment to CETINIA from the Director of the Centre. The Centre Board may deny the request by reasoned resolution.

5. A Research Group shall lose its attached status to the Centre:

a) At its own request, submitted through its coordinators to the Director of the Centre.
b) For failure to comply with the provisions of paragraphs 2 and 3 of this article.

6. The Centre shall maintain an up-to-date official register of Research Groups attached to CETINIA on its website.

Article 8

The governing and administrative bodies of CETINIA are the Centre Board, the Director, and the Secretary.

Article 9

1. The CETINIA Board is the collegiate governing body of the Centre.

2. The composition and functioning of the CETINIA Board, and the election of its non-permanent members, shall be governed by Article 16 of the Regulations on University Institutes and Research Centres of Rey Juan Carlos University.

3. The powers of the CETINIA Board are:

a) Approving the proposed Internal Regulations and any amendments thereto.

b) Establishing the Centre's academic and service organisation.

c) Electing and, where appropriate, removing the Director of the Centre, and proposing the Director's appointment and/or dismissal to the Rector.

d) Requesting information on the functioning of the Centre.

e) Approving the activity plan within its research lines.

f) Preparing the proposed budget and staffing allocations for approval.

g) Administering its own resources within its budget in accordance with the economic management guidelines established by the Governing Council.

h) Organising and distributing tasks among its members.

i) Approving, where appropriate, the accounts and annual report submitted by the Director.

j) Proposing the awarding of honorary doctorates.

k) Ensuring the quality of research and other activities carried out by the Centre.

l) Approving, where appropriate, the attachment of Research Groups to the Centre and agreeing on the termination of attached status.

m) Accepting, where appropriate, applications for the incorporation of new members.

n) Any other function attributed by the University Statutes and other applicable regulations.

4. The Centre Board shall meet in ordinary session at least twice per academic year and in extraordinary session when convened by the Director, either on their own initiative or at the request of at least one third of its members for a specific agenda.

5. The agenda shall be set by the Director and shall include matters requested by one fifth of the members.

6. Meetings of the Centre Board may be held online or remotely.

7. For the valid constitution of the body, for the purposes of holding meetings, deliberating, and adopting resolutions, the attendance—either in person or remotely—of the Director and Secretary (or their substitutes) and at least half of its members shall be required on first call. If this quorum is not reached, a second call shall take place half an hour later. In that case, the Centre Board shall be validly constituted with the minimum presence of the Director and the Secretary.

8. Resolutions of the Centre Board shall be adopted by majority vote.

Article 10

1. The Director of CETINIA exercises the direction and management of the Centre and represents it.

2. The Director shall be appointed by the Rector upon proposal of the Centre Board from among URJC Full Professors who are members of CETINIA and who can demonstrate at least two research activity periods and three teaching activity periods.

3. The election and term of office of the Director shall be governed by Article 17 of the Regulations on University Institutes and Research Centres of Rey Juan Carlos University.

4. The responsibilities of the Director of CETINIA are:

a) Representing the Centre before all types of public and private bodies.

b) Convening ordinary and extraordinary sessions and setting the agenda.

c) Presiding over meetings, moderating debates, and suspending them for justified reasons. Ensuring compliance with the law.

d) Casting the deciding vote in the event of a tie.

e) Signing minutes and certifications of resolutions adopted by the Centre Board.

f) Implementing binding resolutions adopted by the Centre Board.

g) Adopting any urgent measure required for the proper functioning of the Centre, without prejudice to subsequently reporting it to the Academic Board.

h) Appointing and dismissing the Centre Secretary.

i) Managing and evaluating the efficient and controlled use of the Centre's budget.

j) Entering into contracts concluded by the Centre in accordance with URJC regulations.

k) Promoting and monitoring compliance with the Centre's objectives, policies, and procedures.

l) Exercising any other function attributed by the University Statutes and other regulations, especially those not expressly assigned to other bodies, while reporting activities to the Centre Board.

Article 11

1. The CETINIA Secretary assists the Director in the performance of their duties and carries out the functions entrusted by current legislation, especially the drafting and safekeeping of minutes and the issuance of certificates of resolutions adopted by the Board.

2. The Secretary shall be appointed by the Director from among CETINIA researchers holding a doctoral degree and demonstrating at least two research activity periods.

3. The powers of the Secretary are:

a) Replacing the Director in the exercise of their functions in cases of absence, illness, or any circumstance preventing the Director from exercising them. 

b) Supporting the Director in all functions deemed necessary.

c) Coordinating the formulation, execution, and evaluation of the Centre's activities in the areas delegated by the Director.

d) Performing certification functions and safeguarding minutes and documents issued by the Director and the Centre Board.

e) Maintaining an up-to-date register of researchers and Research Groups attached to the Centre.

f) Directing, where appropriate, the administrative support unit.

Article 12

The economic resources of the Centre are:

a) Income from budget allocations assigned by the University, where such allocations exist.

b) Net proceeds from the activities organised and developed by CETINIA and its researchers, as well as the share corresponding to them from the exploitation of the products of such activities.

c) The share corresponding to them from income derived from contracts regulated under Article 60 of the LOSU and from research projects, in accordance with current regulations.

d) Targeted grants awarded to contribute to CETINIA's objectives.

e) Donations and bequests expressly and specifically benefiting the Centre.

f) Income from studies, reports, or scientific and technological research and development work carried out by the Centre at the request of public or private persons or entities.

g) Contributions from public or private persons or entities established through agreements.

h) Any other income corresponding to the Centre by virtue of its nature and in the exercise of its functions.