With extensive experience as a financier for international companies in the frozen fish and renewable energy sectors, Félix Puime Guillén is a permanent lecturer and coordinator of the Degree in International Relations at the Industrial Campus of Ferrol, belonging to the University of A Coruña, a training programme that opens up a wide range of professional opportunities for students in the foreign context.

As coordinator of the Degree in International Relations at the University of A Coruña, what are the objectives of the training programme?

The degree is offered in Ferrol with a focus on development cooperation, especially in third countries. Therefore, the objectives are that students, once they have completed their studies, will be able to appreciate diversity and multiculturalism, have the ability to work in an international context, be able to identify essential aspects of cultures and customs of other countries, have problem-solving skills, have organisational and planning skills, have decision-making skills, be able to design and manage international projects and projects in conflict zones, and have knowledge of international business development.

What are the key competencies that an international relations practitioner should have?

In the specific case of our degree, the specific competences that our students will acquire are the ability to analyse information related to international sources and events in complex geopolitical, economic and legal environments, whether face-to-face or virtual. They will also understand the structure, competences and functioning of international institutions and organisations, as well as their relations with other state and non-state actors. 

Similarly, it is important to know the concepts, theories and techniques applied to the analysis of international actors and relations, both at the universal and regional levels, with both a historical and contemporary perspective.

Other key competences are based on understanding the general theoretical foundations of the economy and the international economic structure; globalising processes, relocation dynamics and alternative strategies; as well as the challenges to international security and the value of mediation and peaceful conflict resolution.

Finally, a professional in international relations must be able to analyse the global reality in its different dimensions, in particular geographical, political, social, economic and legal; apply scientific methodology to social, political, economic and legal challenges with an international element; analyse and evaluate environmental and heritage problems in international relations; acquire knowledge of the techniques, working methods and analysis of the human, social and legal sciences; analyse the political, social and economic reality within the framework of international development cooperation; and understand the political, legal and economic instruments and mechanisms that guarantee efficient management of international projects and business.

What impact does it have on the Galician business and industrial fabric to have talent trained in the field of international relations?

I believe that the Galician economy and society, since ancient times, has demonstrated its capacity for internationalisation with an enormous willingness to integrate into very different social and cultural realities. This ability, which I believe exists in the majority of Galicians, required training at a higher level and this will undoubtedly be demonstrated with excellent results in a short period of time.

The international presence of our companies must go beyond the commercial activity of selling products and services. They must be capable of developing complex projects in territories where, moreover, there is no cultural or historical proximity.

How do you assess the degree of internationalisation of Galician companies and what assets does Galicia have to position itself abroad?

It is certainly very good, but in my opinion very concentrated in a certain geographical area, namely Western Europe. In fact, sales in this region are 20 to 1 with the rest of the sales in other continents.

Europe is an ageing continent and we must go to those markets with more growth capacity in Latin America, Asia, Oceania and even Africa. From the University of A Coruña we are already signing mobility agreements with universities in these continents for students and teaching staff, and we are carrying out technological development projects in these areas of the world.

In my opinion, a good option for companies is to partner with the University to carry out their internationalisation.

What will be the main challenges for Galician external action in the coming years in economic and commercial terms?

I think that the business fabric has improved a lot, but I miss two things. Firstly, a generalised mastery of the English language by all workers and working hours that are more in line with other countries in Europe and even the world. Our long working hours, which are interrupted for long lunch breaks, are not comparable to almost anywhere else in the world, and this is coming from someone who has visited more than 80 countries.

On the other hand, we must have more confidence in our capabilities and go beyond commercial activity. We have the capacity to implement major international investment and development projects, especially in emerging countries, and we must be there to ensure a prosperous future. 

Once again, I call again for greater collaboration between business and academia.