Rector of University, Mª Vicenta Mestre, and dean of the Law Faculty, Javier Palao, have expressed their condolence for the loss of Dr. Carmen Alborch Bataller. She was the first dean woman of this Faculty and professor at the Department of Trade Law “Manuel Broseta Pont”. Her death has saddened the university community, who love this forward-thinking woman recently awarded with the Medal of the University of Valencia.

Carmen Alborch Bataller, who was a professor and the first dean woman of the Faculty of Law in the University of Valencia, passed away on Wednesday 24 October in her home after a long illness that did not nevertheless diminish her fighting spirit.

The Dean of the University of Valencia, Mª Vicenta Mestre, has outlined the “integrity of a woman who was a fighter, who projected illusion and passion”. In this sense, the dean of the Faculty of Law, Javier Palao, has outlined that “for her, everything was possible”.

A beloved professor, a forward-thinking woman

The new has struck the university community, where the Ex-minister of Culture was very beloved. Carmen Alborch Bataller (Castelló de Rugat, 1947) was a PhD cum laude in Law. She had been an assistant professor, associate professor and full professor of the Department of Trade Law “Manuel Broseta Pont” of the University of Valencia.

The rector of the University has highlighted that, besides her profile of a researcher woman, she was also a pioneer woman in university management.

Carmen Alborch was then the first dean woman of the Faculty of Law, founded in 1499 and one of the oldest faculties of the University of Valencia. The dean of the Faculty has placed value on her time as a dean, in which “the teaching of Law in Valencian began, the students associations grew stronger and a large degan team renewed structures and most importantly ideas”. The current dean reminds everyone that “she was not limited by the previous eras and, even less, by her gender”.

A committed woman

Carmen Alborch also stood out as a public administrator. She was general director of Culture and director of the cultural institutes of the Valencian Government, manager-director of the Valencian Institute of Performing Arts, Cinematography and Music (IVC) and also of the Institut Valencià d’Art Modern (IVAM) until her appointment as a minister of Culture.

She was later spokesperson for the socialist group of the Valencia City Council, as well as parliament representative and senator for Valencia. She was also President of the Control Commission of RTVE and the Commission of the Rights of Women and Equality of opportunities.

She was patron of Montemadrid and Bancaja foundations, honour patron of Teatro Real, member of the commission of the bicentenary of the creation of the Museo del Prado and president of the National Board for Equality of the PSPV-PSOE.

From her public career, the rector of the university has put value in Dr. Alboch’s social compromise, her fight for democracy, freedom, feminism and equality.

An institutionally recognised woman

Throughtout her career, Carmen Alborch received many recognitions and distinctions due to her compromise in the fight for equality. She was also awarded in the area of arts, including the Valencian Critical Literary Award which has been translated to many languages.

She was also awarded the Premio Isabel Ferrer of the Valencian Government and the distinctions of Officier dans l’Ordre des Arts et Letrres of the French Government, the Cruz de Honor of San Raimundo de Peñafort, the Gran Cruz of Carlos III and the Gran Cruz of the Orden del Mérito Civil.

The University of Valencia recognised her amongst forward-thinking women who first were in high position within University. The Regional Government of the University awarded her the Medal of the University, which is the highest recognition and it is given to people because of their merits and relevant services to the University.

The last October 9, by order of the Valencian Government, Carmen Alborch received the Alta Distinción (Hugest Distinction) of the Generalitat Valencia in a ceremony in which the rector of the University also received one. “It was a moment of pride and honour to remember this day with such honour with a woman who is a referent in culture and freedom and who is known for her value in feminism and equality”, said the rector then.

“Carmen Alborch is an example for all and she will always be because she will always be present for us”, said the rector of the University of Valencia.

More information:

The information about the distinction of the Medal of the University to Carmen Alborch can be accessed here: http://links.uv.es/BtvJ3iM

The broadcast of the ceremony can be accessed through MediaUni: http://links.uv.es/SoG5Hd5