UV’s Principal Mavi Mestre commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Humanities and Social Sciences Chairs of the Universitat de València.
This morning, the Universitat de València celebrated a meaningful event in the Joan Fuster Assembly Hall of the Faculty of Geography and History to commemorate three decades of our Humanities and Social Sciences Chairs. The event was attended by UV’s Principal Mavi Mestre, who highlighted the importance and impact of these chairs over the years.
The event was opened by the Principal with the ‘Humanities and Social Sciences Chairs Exhibition’ in the Joan Fuster Assembly Hall. In this poster exhibition, the directors of the different chairs presented to the Principal the objectives and main activities of the Humanities and Social Sciences Chairs of the Universitat de València. This was followed by a group photo before the tribute to the Joan Fuster Chair, the oldest at the UV.
In her opening speech, Principal Mestre Escrivà welcomed the authorities and staff and highlighted the importance of Joan Fuster, a role model for many generations of Valencian philologists, social scientists, writers and philosophers, and posthumously awarded the university’s gold medal. She also pointed out the value of the Joan Fuster Assembly Hall, which is considered an emblematic space, a discussion forum and the promotion of knowledge, dedicated to the great writer from Sueca.
The Principal highlighted the creation of the Joan Fuster Chair in 1993, the first UV Chair to be based on inter-institutional cooperation, which allows for stable thematic development. She also stressed the importance of the Faculty of Geography and History, where the event was held, and mentioned emblematic figures such as the philosopher Josep Lluís Blasco, the historian Alfons Cucó and the geographer Joan Noguera, all of whom are well remembered by the university community.
‘Institutional and company chairs are inter-institutional links that convey a stable collaboration’, said the Principal, highlighting the importance of transversality and links between different fields of knowledge. ‘We are celebrating the first three decades of this essential tool for the knowledge transfer to society’, she added, emphasising the positive impact on the link between the academic world and the productive fabric and administrations: ‘The Universitat de València transfers the research results to institutions and companies, opening up new areas of research in great demand by society and promoting the development of a new production model. [...] The chairs combine values that we consider fundamental, such as solidarity and the protection of the weakest, feminism and equality, sustainability and action against the climate emergency or the development of territories, with the strategic objectives of society.’
During the event, the Principal also drew attention to other chairs, such as the Luis Amigó Chair, which focuses on socio-educational intervention with minors, and thanked the collaborators of the Joan Fuster Chair, especially Ferran Carbó, who was its director for more than 25 years, and Carme Gregori, the current director of the Joan Fuster Chair.
Finally, the Principal thanked the companies, administrations, foundations and institutions for their trust in the Universitat de València, as well as the daily work of all the chairs. ‘I hope and wish that the Humanities and Social Sciences Chairs will continue to work for many years to come’, she concluded, so that they can continue to promote to the development of the Valencian society.
The tribute of the Joan Fuster Chair was followed by a panel discussion was held entitled ‘Valencian culture, territory and society. A view from the university chairs’, moderated by Olga Dénia, journalist from the Universitat de València. This panel discussion was attended by:
- José Vicente Dómine Redondo. Regional Secretary for Infrastructures and Transport of the Valencian Government.
- Jorge Hermosilla Pla. UV’s Full Professor. Co-Director of the AVANT Chair.
- Pedro Cotolí Suárez. Head of the Department of Performance of València Basket.
- María José Ridaura. Local Director of the Amigó Foundation in Valencia.
- Paz Viguer Seguí. UV’s Associate Professor. Director of the Youth Chair.
All the speakers agreed on the importance of creating synergies between the university and other social actors, as chairs not only promote the transfer of knowledge and innovation, but also inter-institutional cooperation with the business sector, thus contributing to economic and social development. Through research projects, training activities and the dissemination of results, the chairs promote progress in strategic areas, addressing current challenges and improving the quality of life.
