Dr. Mireia Tintoré, the Vice Dean of the Faculty of Education, gave the opening address. “As teachers, you will have to be role models for your students”, she reminded the graduates. “Children learn by experience and, especially, by example. Being a teacher represents a commitment and responsibility to education and requires dedication that goes beyond the hours spent in the classroom. Don’t forget that your students will expect much more from you than knowledge and skills development. They will expect you to help them give their best and fully develop their material and spiritual potential”.

Emili Pons then gave the keynote address. In his speech, he said that today’s society was in need of values-based education. He explained that although some years ago this type of education was called into question, it is now becoming more and more necessary. “The most difficult thing about values-based education is that values are not taught, they are learned”, he said. “Values-based education involves setting examples with each of your decisions and actions and requires you to be consistent”.

Dr. Arbós, the Dean of the Faculty of Education, gave the new graduates four pieces of advice. He told them to preserve their critical thinking skills in order to remain free from prejudice and to teach their students how to think; to think about survival skills in order to understand that each student is a chance at life; to set aside time each day for reflection; and, finally, to view their work as teachers as a contribution to society.

The ceremony included the presentation of diplomas, a speech from the class representative and, finally, the singing of the traditional Gaudeamus Igitur.