Abraham Duarte, “it’s worth investing in URJC”

Raul Garcia Hemonnet

This Wednesday, in front of a packed auditorium at the Rectorate, Abraham Duarte called on society to "support the URJC," in the presence of, among others, the president of the Assembly of Madrid, Enrique Ossorio, and the deputy minister of Universities of the regional government, Mirina Cortés.

The rector praised the work of Rey Juan Carlos University, noting that despite being the second largest in the Community of Madrid in terms of student enrollment, the university is the most underfunded in the country. “I don’t believe there is any other educational institution with the development potential of URJC. Rey Juan Carlos University deserves to be treated as a major university,” Duarte stated.

In this regard, Duarte pointed out that 2026 could be an important year for the university with the presentation, subject to the new funding model yet to be decided, of the new URJC 2031 strategic plan and with the approval of the new University statutes that will take place these days.

The rector used his speech, as he does every year on the feast day of Saint Thomas Aquinas, to praise the work of the university's various groups. He stated that the students are "our reason for being" and "the heart of our activity, the generations that will transform our world." Referring to the teaching and research staff, he highlighted their "passion for teaching and their desire to learn and improve." He also noted that the PTGAS (Technical and Livestock Production Group) constitutes "the backbone and the engine, and they are the ones who allow us to open our doors every day."

Furthermore, he recognized all the people who received honorary medals belonging to the teaching and research staff and the technical and administrative staff, and remembered the members of the university community who died during the past year and who received medals posthumously.

Amancio López Seijas, Gold Medal of the King Juan Carlos University

The former president of the Social Council and president of the Hotusa group has received the highest distinction awarded by the Rey Juan Carlos University, its Gold Medal.

López Seijas stated that it had been an honor to preside over the URJC Social Council and emphasized in his speech the University's role as a "guarantor of equal opportunities." He also asserted that academia is, and can be even more so, a driving force for transformation within the business sector, particularly in the current challenging climate, especially for family-owned businesses in the industrial sector.

Internationalization as a symbol of PTGAS's excellence

The speaker on behalf of PTGAS was Pablo Salvadores, Head of Internationalization at Rey Juan Carlos University. Salvadores detailed the figures representing one of the pillars of internationalization, international mobility, in terms of PTGAS's work. Among other data, he highlighted that each year 1.800 students participate in mobility programs (of various kinds) at Rey Juan Carlos University and that more than 1500 international students attend classes at URJC annually.

To carry out all the procedures from registration to the end of the stay, thousands of actions are required from the PTGAS (Program for the Promotion of International Services). Salvadores stated that, considering the underfunding suffered by the URJC (Rey Juan Carlos University), "the PTGAS at Rey Juan Carlos University is the most efficient in Spain," and indicated that the work of the International Relations staff is just one example of the work carried out by all the Technical Management and Administrative Staff of the University.

Salvadores also spoke about the new reality the university is experiencing after having helped to found, launch, and develop the EULiST alliance. “PTGAS has contributed, created structure, and supported this ambitious higher education project in Europe from the very beginning.”

Effort and excellence in the teaching and research staff

Ana Reyes Menéndez, Professor of Marketing and Market Research at URJC, was in charge of speaking on behalf of the teaching and research staff.

Reyes has reviewed her academic career, closely linked to her personal life, and has given an account of the effort involved in pursuing an exceptional academic career while being a mother.

Reyes also discussed her two most recent research projects: 'Emotions through Art' and her latest work on the emotional impact of screen use while eating and cooking. These two projects exemplify the interdisciplinary nature and research excellence of the URJC.

Reyes also took a few minutes to praise the role of mentors. In her case, she noted, there were two: her father, a university professor who instilled in her his passion for teaching, and Carmelo Mercado, the Professor of Market Research, who passed away in 2018. Visibly moved, she said, among other things, that "her projects bear Carmelo's mark, that his influence lives on in all her projects."

“URJC has been my home”

Beatriz Da Silva Emperador, a recent graduate in International Relations, spoke on behalf of the students of Rey Juan Carlos University. The young woman expressed her pride in "having studied at a public university and at URJC."

Da Silva indicated that URJC has taught him important lessons about sacrifice, effort, and managing frustration, among other aspects.

The newly graduated student thanked the professors for being “challenging and selfless” and the PTGAS team, saying, “You are the actors behind the scenes who ensure the smooth operation of the university.” The young woman expressed her pride in belonging to the Rey Juan Carlos University community.

The ceremony also served to pay tribute to recently retired members of the Teaching and Research Staff (PDI) and the Technical and Service Staff (PTGAS) through the awarding of honorary and merit medals, respectively. Members of these groups were also remembered by posthumously awarding these distinctions.

The Academic Ceremony of Saint Thomas Aquinas was initially scheduled for last January, although it could not be held due to adverse weather conditions.

Among other authorities, the rector and the rest of the university community were accompanied by the Honduran ambassador to Spain, Marlon Brevé; the president of the Assembly of Madrid, Enrique Ossorio; and the deputy minister of Universities of the regional government, Mirina Cortés, as well as other political, economic, municipal and local authorities.

The following members of the teaching and research staff have received the Honorary Medal: María Cruz Alonso Sutil, María Silveria Alvarado Riquelme, Concepción De la Fuente Cabrero, Jesús Caro González, Mariano Fajardo González, Yolanda García Cid, María Emma García-Castellano García, Ángel Hermido Iglesias Alonso, Aurelio De Prada García, Miguel Ángel Rodríguez Arriero, Ignacio Sánchez Cámara, María Belén Sánchez Domingo, Francisco Javier Lillo Ramos, and Álvaro Páez Borda. María Eugenia Castellanos and Michael Fosmire have also received this decoration posthumously.

The following members of PTGAS have received the Medal of Merit: Juan Carlos Blanco Martínez, Tomás Lara García, María Dolores López García, Felipe Sánchez Ríos García, Antonio Tendero Cañadas, Angel Para Guzman, and Soledad Vicente Rosillo. Juan Pedro Maldonado Cuevas was awarded this distinction posthumously.