The rector of the Universitat de València, Mª Vicenta Mestre, together with the vice-rector of Studies and Language Policy, Isabel Vázquez, have given the recognition by the academic institution to the 17 and 10 students of the Universitat awarded with the National Award for Excellence in Academic Performance for the academic year 2013-2014 and 2014-2015, respectively, awarded by the Ministry of Education and Professional Training.

In the academic year 2013-14, the National Award for Excellence in Academic Performance was for Antoni Beltrán, graduated in Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences; Vincent Blay, graduated in Chemical Engineering; Julio Parra in Physics; Mª Desamparados Gamero in Human Nutrition and Dietetics; Josep Escrig in History; José Manuel Buedo in Philosophy; Aina Reig in Catalan Philology; Ana Mª Zomeño in Hispanic Philology; and Fernando Rabasa in Chemistry. The second National Award for Excellence in Academic Performance went to the graduates Sergio Yagüe in Labour Relations and Human Resources; José Ángel Cano in Catalan Philology; Andrea Sánchez in Classical Philology; Clara Murgui in Physics; Andrea Iria Falcó in Economics; Rafael Moll in Political Science and Administration; and Christian López in Philosophy.  Law student Fernando Moliner won the third National Award.

For the academic year 2014-15, the winners of the first prizes were Pablo Joaquín Martínez in Business Administration and Management; and Sonia Sofia Perelló in English Studies.  The winners of the second prizes in the Final Year were Cristina Zapata in Psychology; Federico Zomeño in Computer Engineering; Pablo Joaquín Martínez and Alberto Armero in Law; Raül Ramón graduated in Labour Relations and Human Resources; and Gemma Ibáñez, in Classical Philology. The third national awards were given to Alejandra Hernández, a graduate in Hispanic Studies, Spanish Language and Literatures; and Pablo Sanahuia, a graduate in History.

In addition, the awards were given to the best academic records of the first year of studies of degree 2017-18 of the Carmen Izquierdo Besante Foundation and were attended by the secretary of the Foundation, Javier Pastor. In this edition, the winners were Esther Caro, from the Degree in Psychology; Sara Cebellán, from Mathematics; Teresa García in Law; and Aina Torres, from Catalan Philology.

In her speech, the rector Mª Vicenta Mestre congratulated the winners not only for their academic excellence, but also 'for the values of effort, overcoming, work and emotional intelligence as people'.  For the Universitat, it is a great honour and gratification that you have been trained in the UV, and that you can return to society what you have learned during their training,' said the rector.

In the 2013-14 edition, the Universitat de València was placed as the first Spanish university with the highest number of Final year winners, and is that of 233,000 graduates from all public and private universities in Spain, the Universitat highlighted with 17 winners, a real pride for our institution,' said Vice-rector Isabel Vázquez.

For his part, the secretary of the Carmen Izquierdo Besante Foundation, Javier Pastor, wanted to encourage the winners of the best academic records of the first year 'to continue this path of excellence and effort, because surely it will take you very far in your professional future.

The event was also attended by university authorities such as the director of the School of Engineering (ETSE-UV), Paula Marzal, the dean of the Faculty of Psychology, Mª Dolores Sancerni, the dean of Mathematics, Joan Monterde, the dean of the Faculty of Philosphy and Educational Sciencies, Rosa Mª Bo, the dean of Geography and History, Josep Montesinos, the Dean of Law, Javier Palao, the Dean of Philology, Translation and Communication, Amparo Ricós, the Dean of Biology, Carmen Baño, the Dean of Physics, Jordi Vidal, the Dean of Chemistry, Adela Mauri, the Dean of Pharmacy, Juan Carlos Moltó, the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Albert Moncusí, and Vice Dean of Economic Studies, Dolores Forés.

Every year, the Carmen Izquierdo Besante Monzó Foundation awards a prize of €500 to the best records of first cycle students who have completed their degree at the Universitat de València. With these distinctions, the Foundation, whose president is the rector of the Universitat, aims to promote training and help eliminate socio-economic inequalities that may exist among students.