Final-year undergraduate students celebrated their graduation in a memorable event held at the Aula Magna on the Barcelona Campus. The ceremony was presided over by the dean of the Faculty, Dr Enric Vidal Rodà, and featured contributions from the vice-dean, Dr Mónica Fernández Morilla, and Mr Xavier Pérez, journalist, communicator and radio presenter, who served as the class patron.

Xavier Pérez encouraged the future teachers to “help children shine”. Drawing on personal experience, he described the diverse nature of children: “Some have talents you won’t recognise until you really engage with them. There are pupils who suddenly shine brilliantly, some who seem to come with instructions, and others who are harder to understand.” He also shared that he has never stopped feeling like a child himself and feels “fortunate” to still connect with that part of himself.

Vice-Dean Dr Mónica Fernández Morilla also addressed the future teachers: “Equity remains the great challenge in education,” she reminded the audience, reflecting on the persistent inequalities in access to education. “I hope you find clarity in your decisions, rigour in your actions, and humanity in the way you support others,” she concluded.

In the same vein, the dean of the Faculty of Education Sciences, Dr Enric Vidal Rodà, highlighted the importance of education: “To be a teacher is to look at each child with the highest hopes for what they can become. I urge you to truly see your pupils,” he said.

Speaking as a lecturer, the dean also offered advice to students as they prepare to enter the world of work. “Do sport, read, take care of yourselves so you can care for others. Don’t join the complaint club; Catalan pupils deserve better. Keep learning, commit to excellence in your profession and dignify it,” he emphasised.

This year’s class representatives, Patricia Maria Quilarque, Ainho Diéguez and Carmen Maria Alsina, expressed their desire to “transform” education and ensure that every child is seen and recognised. “We came with a vocation that has grown stronger year after year at the Faculty,” the students recalled with emotion.

The ceremony concluded with the presentation of graduation sashes and the traditional singing of the university anthem Gaudeamus Igitur. With this event, the Faculty of Education Sciences proudly bids farewell to a new cohort of teachers and welcomes them into the UIC Barcelona Alumni community.