On 3 July, the Aula Magna on the Barcelona Campus hosted the graduation ceremony for a new class of students from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences’ Bachelor’s Degree in Physiotherapy. The ceremony brought together students, families, teaching staff and University staff to celebrate the end of one academic stage and the beginning of their careers as physiotherapists.

The event was presided over by Dr Daniel Romero, director of the Department of Physiotherapy, who was accompanied by Dr Márcio Donadio and Dr Pere Rodríguez, the Department’s deputy directors. Following a few words of welcome, Dr Romero turned the floor over to the class’s guest of honour, Dr Caritat Bagur, a full professor in the Department of Physiotherapy and director of the University Master’s Degree in Paediatric Physiotherapy at UIC Barcelona, who delivered the keynote lecture.

During her address, Dr Bagur looked back at her career, which began as a strength and conditioning coach in elite youth basketball, before going on to pursue a career in physiotherapy. Drawing on that experience, she reflected on how the profession has changed in recent decades, noting that physiotherapy is now firmly established as a healthcare discipline with a strong scientific foundation and an increasingly important role in health promotion, functional recovery and research. Addressing the graduates, she expressed her confidence in the talent of the new generations: “Now it is up to you to do your part to shape the future of a profession that continues to evolve.”

A “suitcase of good wishes” for the professional road ahead

Dr Bagur’s keynote address revolved around a symbolic “suitcase of good wishes”, which she presented to the new graduates to help guide them in their future professional and personal lives.

These wishes included the importance of enjoying the journey, maintaining a lifelong curiosity for learning and practising physiotherapy with compassion and empathy. She reminded those present that technical knowledge is essential, but that it is listening, support and human warmth that leave a lasting impression on patients: “Technical excellence is essential, but human excellence is irreplaceable.”

The guest of honour also encouraged the recent graduates to cultivate perseverance, humility, teamwork and resilience, urging them never to lose sight of the purpose that led them to choose the profession: “Hold fast to your purpose and practise the profession with humility, commitment and hope.”

A commitment to supporting people

The keynote lecture was followed by the presentation of diplomas and sashes to the graduates. Afterwards, class representatives Tábata Estévez and Eileen García offered a few words of gratitude to their families and teaching staff, remarking that the programme had taught them that behind every injury there is always a person in need of care and support.

The ceremony continued with an address by Dr Oriol Casasayas, who was chosen as guest speaker by the students. In his speech, he urged the new graduates to believe in themselves, maintain their enthusiasm for learning and remember that the best physiotherapists are not simply the ones who master the greatest number of techniques, but the ones who always put the person at the centre of their clinical practice.

The ceremony concluded with remarks from Dr Daniel Romero, who welcomed the graduates into the profession and encouraged them to embrace the future with openness to innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration and lifelong learning. “You are now part of our community, and rest assured we will always be here for whatever you need,” he added.

The ceremony ended with the singing of the traditional Gaudeamus Igitur and the incorporation of the new graduates into the UIC Barcelona Alumni community, a network that will continue to support them as they grow as professionals and people.