On 18 June, the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences organised the graduation ceremony for the Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology’s 5th graduating class. The ceremony, held in the Aula Magna on the Barcelona Campus, was hosted by lecturers Òscar Cervera and Blanca Batllori, from the Department of Psychology. They were responsible for welcoming attendees and introducing the class’s guest of honour, Dr Óscar Pino, a specialist in neuropsychology and coordinator of the Benito Menni Adult Mental Health Centre in L’Hospitalet de Llobregat. 

As is tradition, the guest of honour shared his thoughts and experience in a dialogue with students Pau Piqué and Óscar Mengual, who discussed topics related to the profession, specialisation and the current challenges of psychology.

During his address, Dr Pino encouraged the graduates to continue their training and pursue the area of psychology with which they most identify. “Now is the time to focus on what you enjoy most. There are professional opportunities in all areas of psychology, but it is essential to invest time in training and specialisation,” he noted.

The guest of honour also highlighted the impact of the profession on people’s lives. “Psychology is the most beautiful profession in the world. We have the opportunity to accompany people at key moments in their lives, and that carries enormous value,” he argued.

With regards to artificial intelligence, one of the main professional challenges facing recent graduates, Dr Pino expressed his conviction that it will be a useful tool in supporting certain professional tasks, although it is unlikely to replace the human component of psychology. He also reminded those present of the importance of ongoing training and of making decisions based on scientific evidence.

Following the presentation of diplomas and sashes to the class graduates, recognition was given to the students with the best academic records, and the E.T. (Therapeutic Element) Student Award, chosen by peer vote, was awarded.

Speaking on behalf of the graduating class, Yvonne García, María Gaya and Gemma Regalat expressed their gratitude for the support received over the years and highlighted the human values that have shaped their education.

The ceremony concluded with a few words from Dr Maria Fernández Capo, director of the Department of Psychology, who recalled some of the pillars that have defined the programme’s identity since it began, such as a love for people, academic rigour, professional humility and teamwork. She also urged the new graduates to uphold the profession's prestige: “Work with rigour, ethics and a strong sense of service, to not only be good psychologists, but good people who are also psychologists.”

The ceremony concluded 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 throughout their personal and professional journeys.