The Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) has been honoured with the Canary Islands Diamond Award in the category of Business and Economic Innovation, a distinction granted by Canal 4 Tenerife as part of the first edition of these awards on the occasion of its 30th anniversary. The recognition is bestowed “in acknowledgement of its scientific excellence and its international projection from the Canary Islands” and highlights the IAC’s contribution to the development of a knowledge-based economy in the Archipelago.
The IAC was selected as the winner following a jury evaluation process and an open public vote, in which it obtained 63% of the votes in its category. The award was accepted by Verónica Martín Jiménez, Head of the Communication and Scientific Culture Unit (UC3) at the IAC, during the ceremony held on 3 December 2025 at the Espacio Mutua Tinerfeña.
In her address, Martín underlined the Institute’s pride in receiving this recognition and the strategic role played by the Canary Islands in international research. In her speech, Martín recalled the Institute’s 40-year history and the legacy of its founder, Francisco Sánchez: “He dreamed that the Canary Islands could be a place from which science and technology would be at the forefront worldwide, and he has achieved it.” She also highlighted the global presence of the talent trained at the IAC: “Every time our director attends an international conference, he meets someone who has studied astrophysics in the Canary Islands, taking our knowledge out into the world.”
Interview with Verónica Martín for Canal 4 Tenerife during the Canary Islands Diamond Awards gala
She also conveyed words of thanks on behalf of the IAC’s Director, Valentín Martínez Pillet, who was attending the Big Science Industry Forum Spain 2025 (BSIFS2025), advocating “for the Canary Islands as a strategic location for a knowledge-based economy that continues to grow.”
With this award, the IAC reaffirms its commitment to excellent research, knowledge transfer, and its contribution to the economic and scientific development of the Canary Islands.
