UIC Barcelona welcomes all students back to the University for another academic year. This year, five face-to-face sessions were held in the Aula Magna lecture theatre on our Barcelona Campus, ensuring everyone respected a safe social distance between all attendees at all times and observed the protocols established by the health authorities.

Thanks to the efforts of Student Services, the University has been able to welcome in more than 1,000 new students joining UIC Barcelona this 2021-2022 academic year. Departing from the maxim, “Aquest curs ves més enllà” (‘Go one step further this academic year’), the students were introduced to university life and learned about the services the University has to offer.

UIC Barcelona rector, Dr Alfonso Méndiz, who began his first term in this position on 1 September, opened each session with a brief welcoming address. In each speech, Dr Méndiz wished the incoming students a great start to the year and reminded them that they have “an incredible few years ahead of them. Make the most of them, because I can assure you that time will fly. Before you realise it, you will be here again, in the Aula Magna lecture theatre, celebrating your graduation ceremony”.

After the rector, the floor was handed to Dr Esther Jiménez, vice-rector of the University Community, who first thanked everyone for attending the sessions and explained the values upon which the University's education is based. In her speech, the vice-rector emphasised that “during your next few years at university, each you will have the chance to put the values of companionship and effort into practice, overcome obstacles, learn who you are and develop your critical thinking skills”. She also stressed that “we are convinced that you will become not only excellent professionals, but also more compassionate leaders in your future profession, as well as in the social and family sphere”.

The Welcome Sessions were also attended by the Chaplaincy Service, Minister Albert Ribot, Minister Pere Domingo and Minister José Luis Riocabo, who advised students that the chapels are open to the entire university community to help them find answers to the most transcendental questions, and encouraged students to share their concerns in order to help them grow on both a personal and spiritual level.

The five events also featured a brief summary of the UIC Barcelona experience from alumnus Carla Vidal, from the Bachelor’s Degree in Humanities from the 2019-2021 student cohort, and the Bachelor’s Degree in Primary Education from the 2015-2019 student cohort, and alumnus Pablo Pérdigo, from the Bachelor's Degree in Advertising and Public Relations, from the 2017-2021 student cohort.

Finally, all sessions ended with a round table discussion among members of the Student Services team from the areas of culture (Gloria Galicia), solidarity (Mercedes Carreras) and sports (Ernest Martínez).