The ceremony, framed at first in the celebration of the commemorative acts of the 525th anniversary of the university, which have been postponed as a result of the catastrophe affecting the province of Valencia, began with an emotional minute's silence in memory of the victims and those who have been affected.

The event was presided over by the Principal of the Universitat de València, M. Vicenta Mestre, who was accompanied by the General Secretary, M. Elena Olmos, the Vice-principal for Studies, Isabel Vázquez, the Vice-principal for Research, Carlos Hermenegildo, and the Regional Secretary for Universities, M. Esther Gómez.

The ceremony was special because four ¨honoris causa¨ doctorates were conferred. The academics who received the distinction were Prof. Dr. Carlos Alberto Vásquez Boyer, Prof. Dr. Ricardo Jorge Gelpi, Prof. Dr. Ricardo Villanueva Lomelí, and Prof. Dr. Jeri Gloria Ramón Ruffner. These academic authorities were proposed to receive the distinction by the Principal of the UV and the Governing Council gave its favourable decision in the session of the 23^th of July, 2024.

The musical performance of Veni Creator, by the Orfeón Universitario, initiated the solemn act, followed by the reading of the certificate of appointment by the General Secretary, before the laudatios and investitures.

First, Prof. Dr. Carlos Shikara Vásquez was in charge of reading the laudatio of Dr. Vásquez Boyer, an outstanding academic and professional in the field of law and political science. He has been a full-time lecturer at the National University of Trujillo, where he has taught courses in Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure, and has been a member of the Faculty Council on several occasions. Since March 2020, he has been the head of the National University of Trujillo.

Then he went up to the presidency to receive the diploma, the laureate's cap, the book of science, the ring as an emblem of the privilege of signing and sealing, and the white gloves as a symbol of purity from the hand of the vice-principal of the University.

In his acceptance speech, Dr. Vásquez expressed his condolences to the Valencian society and then thanked for the distinction received, which fills him with honour ‘coming from an institution that has been a beacon of knowledge for more than 500 years’. He also highlighted the value of transmitting knowledge to society, which is fundamental for overcoming crises such as the one the Valencian region is experiencing, as well as facing future challenges.

Prof. Dr. Miguel Ángel Castro then introduced Dr. Jorge Gelpi He has a PhD in Medicine and is currently the elected Principal of the University of Buenos Aires for the period 2022-2026. He is also a Principal Investigator at the National Council for Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET).

After ascending to the presidency and receiving the academic symbols of investiture as Doctor Honoris Causa, in his acceptance speech, he thanked for the distinction received and his university, the institution that has given him the possibility to develop his profession.

He also stressed the importance of public education and the need for proper state funding to ensure equality and justice in society.

At the end it was the turn of Dr. Gabriel Torres, who introduced Dr. Villanueva Lomelí. Lawyer and Master in Law with a specialisation in Administration of Justice and Public Security from the University of Guadalajara. He is also a Doctor in Educational Technology by the University of Salamanca and realized a post doctorate in the University of New Mexico. He has held various public positions in the Guadalajara City Council, the Government of the State of Jalisco and the University of Guadalajara, where he is currently General Principal as of 1 April 2019.

 Dr. Villanueva Lomelí, after thanking the award and expressing his solidarity with the Valencian people, reflected on the economic prosperity in which we live compared to the bad situation of the planet; a planet that is beginning to show the first consequences of climate change and why happiness always revolves around economic aspects and why the other aspects have been left aside.

Finally, Dr. Francesc Muñoz Murgui was in charge of introducing Dr. Ramón Ruffner de Vega. She is a prominent accountant and lawyer, with a doctoral programme in Accounting, a Master's degree in Accounting and a Master's degree in Public Administration. She is also a Forensic Governmental Anti-Fraud Auditor and Chartered Accountant. She is currently Principal of the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (UNMSM) in Peru.

In her speech,Dr. Ramón Ruffner, in addition to expressing her gratitude for the distinction received, highlighted the role of women. He also recalled the close ties between UV and UNMSM and the collaborative work they have been carrying out.

The event continued with a speech by the Vice-principal in which she recalled that this academic year, the University celebrates the 525th anniversary of its foundation, 525 years of work and progress that place it as the first of the Valencian universities, the second in Spain, leader in attention to disability, in student mobility in Europe, and in sporting competitions.

He then told the new ‘Honoris Causa’ doctors that this recognition is also a distinction for their universities, outstanding universities in their territories, with a relevant tradition and history.

The Principal concluded her speech by remembering the victims affected by the serious floods in the province of Valencia and reminding them that the University is and will be at the disposal of those affected to overcome, all together, this bad situation.

You can read the full speech at the following  link.

The event was attended by a large representation of the University's Executive Council, a large number of deans of the institution, as well as members and representatives of the different groups of the university community and the political and social establishment of the Valencian Community, and the ceremony concluded with the performance of the academic hymn ¨Gaudeamus Igitur¨ by the university choir.