Presided over by Dr Lluís Giner, Faculty dean, the ceremony also featured Dr José Luis Gutiérrez, head of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the Virgen del Rocío University Hospital and full professor at the University of Seville, as guest of honour. 

In his opening address, Dr Giner congratulated the new graduates on all their hard work during their studies and encouraged them to practise the profession with scientific excellence and a commitment to care. He also noted that the education provided at UIC Barcelona is about much more than just acquiring technical knowledge: “Today we celebrate your transformation from students into colleagues,” he remarked, before reminding the students that “the excellence we strive for is not only technical, but also deeply human. Before treating a condition, your mission will always be to care for the person.”

The Dean also highlighted the importance of lifelong learning, professional humility and multidisciplinary collaboration as key pillars of dental practice. He also referred to the Faculty’s social commitment and encouraged the new graduates to maintain their service-oriented mindset and continue to promote prevention and oral health.

A profession at the service of people

The guest of honour for the 24th graduating class was Dr José Luis Gutiérrez, head of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, full professor at the University of Seville and one of Spain’s most renowned dental professionals.

During his keynote lecture, Dr Gutiérrez urged his new colleagues to approach dentistry as a discipline that combines scientific knowledge, technical skill and a service-oriented mindset. "Dentistry is a science, an art and a sport", he noted, summarising the demanding nature and dedication required by the profession.

He also encouraged the graduates to always uphold ethical standards, embrace their professional identity and remain committed to lifelong learning. “The most important thing is not knowing who you are but knowing what you can become and striving to achieve it,” he concluded.

The ceremony also provided an opportunity to recognise the work of the teaching staff, administration and service staff and the staff from the University Dental Clinic (CUO), as well as the support of the families who have accompanied the students throughout their academic journey.

This was followed by the presentation of sashes and diplomas, symbolising the completion of a stage marked by clinical training, research, innovation and patient care – values that define the Faculty of Dentistry. Prior to the end of the ceremony, student representatives Paula Bota and Navid Koohi Faegh Dehkordi shared heartfelt words of thanks with their families, lecturers and classmates, acknowledging the support and guidance they have received throughout their time at the University.

The day before, on 8 July, the Faculty brought together a thousand people, also in the Sant Cugat Theatre-Auditorium, to hold the graduation ceremony for students completing master’s degrees, postgraduate programmes and clinical residencies. On this occasion, the guest of honour was Dr Jaime Gil, full professor at the University of the Basque Country (UPV-EHU), and was attended by Núria Fernàndez, Councillor for Health, Volunteering and Language Policy; and M. Carme Ardid, Councillor for Education, Universities and Historical Memory, both representing Sant Cugat Town Council.

Through both ceremonies, the Faculty of Dentistry bids farewell to a new cohort of dentists and specialists and welcomes them to the UIC Barcelona Alumni community.