From students to alumni. The Bachelor’s Degree in Administration and Business Management’s (ADE) class of 2020-2021 have graduated at a formal ceremony that took place in the Aula Magna lecture hall at UIC Barcelona, finally being held in person after an academic year marred by the pandemic and health restrictions.

The dean of UIC Barcelona’s Faculty of Economic and Social Sciences, Marta Mas, opened the event with a speech that focused on the future and on the contribution that the alumni will have to make to society, stating “you are the future entrepreneurs and your decisions will shape the companies of tomorrow, so we encourage you to put all your knowledge at the service of society”.

The lecture was given by the sponsor of the graduating class, the honorary president of ISS Facility Services, Joaquim Borràs, who focused his speech on the human side of his career based on the personal story of an employee of the company he chaired until recently. Borràs emphasised the importance of making the people with whom they will work happy, because this is the point when your work “really starts to make sense”. The entrepreneur also reminded the alumni not to be afraid of wanting to change the world and set an example, and closed his story with a tip: “Do not ask of others what you yourself are unable to offer.”

Later, Faculty alumnus and current executive vice-president of the SIFU Group, Cristian Rovira, wanted to open the doors of the Alumni community to the graduates and stressed the power they possess to change the world: “If the job you want does not exist, make it happen, and never let anyone tell you that you can’t.”

The degree programme’s student representative, Alejandro de la Rosa, looked back over the years of study and the moments he shared with his fellow graduates, but with one eye on the future: “UIC Barcelona has transformed us into professionals at a time that calls on us to make a contribution”.

Finally, the Vice-Rector for Planning and Quality at UIC Barcelona, Frederic Marimon, closed the graduation ceremony by emphasising the contribution students will have to make to society: “Be prepared to make courageous decisions and over the years you will reach positions of power in the companies in which you will work". Marimon also reminded the graduates that “making the world a better place” is one of their great challenges.

Two distinctions for Final Degree Projects (TFG) were also presented at the ceremony, a new feature this year. Natàlia Costa Corominas was awarded the distinction for best research TFG, while Maria Jesús Santiago Martínez was awarded the distinction for best TFG in entrepreneurship. The event closed with our traditional song Gaudeamus Igitur, sung by the audience.