Javier Ramos points out that “the URJC is a useful and transformative institution”

Raul Garcia Hemonnet

The rector has inaugurated the new academic year by claiming the usefulness and transformative role of the Rey Juan Carlos University and has reiterated that the institution's commitment is to "continue improving the lives of people around us in all areas."

Javier Ramos has thanked the entire university community (PDI, Students, PTGAS) for their commitment to addressing “the challenges of last year” which have been transformed into “opportunities and achievements”.

The rector has pointed out that the University, and more specifically the Rey Juan Carlos University, is the “example that society compares itself to. We inspire others and work on projects that address critical challenges for humanity.”

Among the achievements of the past year, Javier Ramos wanted to highlight the implementation of PowerU, the Transformation and Empowerment Plan through Artificial Intelligence that is being developed at the University, of which he pointed out that “3.000 training sessions for teachers” have already been carried out.

He also referred to the degree in 'Digital Communication', the launch of which, he said, "responds to the identification of new social realities."

Ramos also recalled the role of universities in the Enlightenment and noted that their commitment remains intact, “developing Enlightenment values ​​through scientific research and promoting universal access to education.”

The rector encouraged the university community to continue to carry out their work with enthusiasm and recalled the importance of each individual task towards achieving collective progress.

Current situation of marine ecosystems

The inaugural lecture, which officially kicks off the course, was given by the professor of Ecology, Rosa María Viejo García, who reviewed the existing diversity of marine ecosystems and the impact that climate change and overfishing are having on them.

Among other aspects, he pointed out the loss of marine flora, which acts as a natural barrier against cyclones, and the decrease in macroalgae forests, for example on the Cantabrian Coast, due to the effects of climate change.

Professor Viejo pointed out that recent studies indicate that “European seas are becoming more tropical, which translates into a change in both the type of individuals that inhabit them and their number.”

He also wanted to highlight the impact of climate change and human action on marine ecosystems, since 91% of the heat that reaches the Earth is absorbed by the oceans, which causes an increase in sea temperature with a major impact on its flora and fauna and on the services that seas and oceans provide to humanity.

Although the situation is complicated, Rosa María Viejo García also wanted to convey good news to the audience gathered in the Rector's auditorium, such as the fact of the "exponential creation of marine protected areas, which show great resilience" and contribute to the improvement of unprotected areas.

An example of measures that can and are being carried out to make José Luis Sampedro's maxim possible, that "another world is possible", as the professor has said.

The Opening Ceremony was completed with the screening of a video in which all the achievements of the university in all areas during the 23-24 academic year were reviewed. The URJC choir provided the atmosphere for the event with performances of the songs “Veni Creator” and “Gaudeamos Igitur”

Various authorities wished to accompany the rector and the university community at the Opening Ceremony of the course: the Mayor of Mostoles, Manuel Bautista; the subdelegate of the Government in Madrid, Pilar Trinidad; the president of the Education Commission of the Assembly of Madrid, Mirina Cortés; the general director of Universities of the region, Nicolás Javier Casas Calvo; various municipal officials from Móstoles and Alcorcón and representatives of affiliated centres and union representatives.