On 5 December, the Paraninfo (Main hall) of the Universitat de València held the ceremony, which followed the traditional academic ceremonial. Professors wore cap and gown, and the act began with the interpretation of Veni Creator by the Choral Society.

The new doctors entered the Paraninfo accompanied by the joint accompaniment commission and their respective godfathers and godmothers.  The commission consisted of Manuel Lomas, Dean of the Faculty of Geography and History; M. Emelina LópezVice-Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy and Educational Sciences; and Amparo Hurtado, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Teacher Training.

Investiture of Lida Violeta Asencios

Ana María Botella, Dean of the Faculty of Teacher Training, delivered the laudatio for professor Asencios. In her speech, she remarked that "she has dedicated her life to university education and leadership in Peru. At the National University of Education Enrique Guzmán y Valle, known as La Cantuta, she has covered all the responsibility levels until becoming Principal in 2021, consolidating herself as an academic reference".

Botella also highlighted the commitment to research that she had, which led her to found the scientific journal ConCiencia EPG, the first indexed publication at her university, opening doors to Peruvian scientific output at an international level.  Finally, she remarked that thanks to her leadership, La Cantuta has strengthened bonds with American and European institutions, especially with the Universitat de València, establishing an authentic Ibero-American knowledge community.

Read the entire laudatio.

After being given by the Principal the symbols of the degree—the Birreta Llorejada, the Anell de la Saviesa, the white gloves and the Llibre de la Ciència, as well as the diploma—, Lida Violeta entered the Chair accompanied by her godmothers, Ana María Botella and M. Elena Cantarino, Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy and Educational Sciences, to gave her acceptance speech.  In it, she emphasised the personal honour the distinction is and thanked the Principal and the Executive Council. She pointed out that this acknowledgement "pay homage to the universal mission of higher education, that bright and persistent idea that, for centuries, has acted as a pedagogical compass for human progress". She concluded her intervention by highlighting the bond between UV and UNE.

Read the entire acceptance speech.

Investiture of Maria Concetta Di Natale

Professor Francisco de Paula Cots delivered the laudatio for professor Di Natale.  In his speech, he recalled that "Maria Concetta Di Natale is one of the main European references in the study of Decorative Arts, with a trajectory that has dignified traditionally despised disciplines". He highlighted her reference works about jewellery, silverware and Sicilian heritage, such as Gioielli di Sicilia or Splendore di Sicilia, which have marked a turning point in research.  He concluded by enhancing her academic leadership and the passion with which she has taught generations of researchers, consolidating the international projection of the University of Palermo and establishing links with València.

Read the entire laudatio.

After receiving the symbols of the degree for Doctor Honoris Causa, Maria Concetta di Natale entered the Chair accompanied by her godfather, Francisco de Paula Cots, and by her godmother, Ester Alba, Vice-Principal for Culture and Society, to gave her acceptance speech.

During her intervention, professor Di Natale mentioned some of the works and people that have contributed over the years, as she did through her academic and research trajectories, to value the decorative art, to label it as a prestigious discipline, a key piece for studying cultural heritage and interpreting art history, as a scientific method that has allowed to put it at the same level as painting and sculpture.

Then, Regional Secretary for Universities, Maria Ester Gómez, pointed out the extraordinary careers of the new doctors, female leaderships within their areas of study and management, and encouraged them to maintain the bond with the Universitat de València and the Valencian Community.

Closure

At the closure, the Principal of the Universitat de València highlighted the universal value of the event: "The Universitat de València is Mediterranean and European, but also maintains a deep bond with Latin America. Today we celebrate that knowledge knows no borders and that universities are, by nature, places for universality".

The Principal also remarked the commitment of the institution with democratic values: "The heart of public university is to offer equal opportunities for everyone, build a future with freedom and reject wars, always defending Human Rights".

Read the entire Principal's speech.

The event concluded with the interpretation of the university academic hymn Gaudeamus Igitur by the Choral Society.