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Friday, January 28, 2022 at 15:31 p.m.

Two new 'honoris causa' for physics

Two new 'honoris causa' for physics Two new 'honoris causa' for physics

The King Juan Carlos University awards honorary doctors to the Italian Nobel Prize winner, Giorgio Parisi, and to the Israeli professor Itamar Procaccia. Science, philosophy or politics are some of the topics that have featured in the interventions of academics.

Albert Rose 

The Assembly Hall of the Rector's Office of the Rey Juan Carlos University has attended this Friday the appointment of two new 'honoris causa' doctors. This year, physics has been the leading branch of knowledge in this ceremony that recognizes academic excellence.

The Italian Giorgio Parisi, Nobel Prize in Physics, and the Israeli professor, Itamar Procaccia, have received this important honorary title from the rector, Javier Ramos, which makes them full members of the faculty of the Rey Juan Carlos University. The solemn act was enlivened by the URJC Choir, which performed the 'Veni Creator Spiritus' at the beginning of the ceremony, and the 'Gaudeamus Igitur' at the end, together with the song 'Alleluia' by Leonard Cohen, which was also has sounded during the event.

The 'laudatio' of the act has been given by Professor Steffano Boccaletti, member of the Department of Applied Mathematics, Science and Engineering of Materials and Electronic Technology. The academic has been in charge of presenting the two scientists, in addition to remembering their important achievements for physics. 

After his words, the rector, Javier Ramos, proceeded to present the award-winning cap, the ring, the white gloves and the Book of Wisdom, distinctive signs of the title of doctor 'honoris causa', to the two academics.  

The first to receive the appointment was the Israeli physicist, Itamar Procaccia. Next, it was the turn of Professor Giorgio Parisi, who participated via videoconference in the event from Italy. Professor Bocaletti has been in charge of receiving, on his behalf, this high academic recognition. 

In his speech, Procaccia has highlighted the role of philosophy, beliefs and knowledge, citing important names such as Plato or Aristotle. Professor Giorgio Parisi, who regretted not being able to be present at the event, congratulated Procaccia and had a few words of thanks to the university for the appointment. In his speech, he talked about physics, but also about politics and the necessary adaptation of the system to the changes induced by the pandemic.  

The University, a key piece in society

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Finally, the rector, Javier Ramos, has described the act as a "moment of joy" to receive two new colleagues in the faculty. He has also reflected on the meaning of the university today: "Complexity, society, openness, union of concepts, all of this forms the essence of the university, which has to foster critical thinking." 

To conclude, the academic highlighted the important role that the university should have in society: "It is we, the university students, who have to uphold the values ​​on which society is built", he remarked.

The event, which coincided with the feast of Saint Thomas Aquinas, was attended by various local, regional, national and international academic authorities, led by the Italian Ambassador to Spain, Riccardo Guariglia.