On this occasion, given the limitations imposed by health regulations that are still in force, six face-to-face events were organized in groups of reduced degrees. Unfortunately, we could not count on the presence of family and friends inside the Aula Magna, as we all would have liked. Instead, the ceremonies were broadcast live, and the companions were able to meet the graduates outside where, once the event was over, a photocall was installed and they were able to share with them and with the attending teachers the happiness of their graduation.

As is traditional in ESCET graduation ceremonies, the Rey Juan Carlos University Choir intervened, and with a small representation of professors and library staff and administration and services staff. The students and professors, chosen by the graduates themselves, gave emotional speeches with frequent allusions to the enormous difficulties and challenges that these last two academic years have entailed. Distinctions were also given to the best records of each degree.

In his final speech, the director of ESCET made an obligatory reminder of the families of the graduates and extolled the enormous sacrifice that all of them had made so that the graduates could achieve their goals. He also praised them for having shown enormous resilience and a great capacity to withstand unprecedented difficulties during this pandemic, which will undoubtedly define an entire generation.

To end the ceremony, graduates, teachers and family members visited the trees planted on the Campus in memory of these two promotions, continuing the tradition of all ESCET graduation ceremonies. On this occasion, an olive tree and a birch were chosen, two species loaded with symbolism and closely associated in popular culture with the ability to resist, recover, renew and emerge stronger from crisis situations.

With the organization and celebration of these acts, although with the limitations imposed by the health situation, the objective of celebrating a very important moment in the lives of our students is fulfilled and, at the same time, of recognizing the enormous effort made by the entire university community to, overcoming such complex circumstances, achieve the long-awaited goal of graduation.