Several months following their last visit to the University’s Barcelona Campus, students of the 2020-2021 graduating classes of the Bachelor’s Degree in Law and the University Master’s Degree in the Legal Profession, returned to UIC Barcelona for their graduation ceremony last Friday 1 October.

The keynote speech was given by Montserrat Trapé, a Criteria Caixa adviser and alumnus of the University, who focused her address on the challenges that graduates will have to overcome when adapting to an ever-changing global world with increasingly blurred borders. “We have moved from a culture of stability to one of adaptability, which means you either move with the changes or they will get the better of you”, she remarked, adding that the vortex of immediacy should not prevent us from “opening our eyes, fleeing from banality and defending the capacity to dig deeper, as well as dealing with life’s most important concerns”.

The lawyer also stressed the crucial role that legal professionals play, and how they must “influence society and ensure that the world, an increasingly political and united place, does not become more unjust”. Finally, she urged the graduates to be brave and fight for good fortune: “You must firmly believe that work and recovering the value of effort are the best tools for your future”.

Then, the president of the Alumni Group, José Ignacio Parellada, offered a few words to the new graduates: “Don’t ever tire of defending freedom and justice, every day, or even the least transcendental issues.” He also stressed the importance of actively remaining in contact with the University throughout their career.

Finally, following the presentation of the graduation stoles and the speeches by the representatives of the graduating class, the dean of the Faculty of Law, Pilar Fernández Bozal, closed the ceremony by giving an overview of the students' journey over the past few years, both inside and outside the classroom. Fernández Bozal closed the event by addressing the graduates: “You leave as architects of society, advocates of ideals and citizens’ rights, to step into one of the most beautiful professions in existence”.

Bachelor’s Degree in Law 2020-2021

University Master's Degree in the Legal Profession 2020-2021