‘This is not an inauguration!’. Under this suggestive title, this year the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - BarcelonaTech (UPC) proposed a very different opening ceremony format—a podcast—to inspire a fresh approach to the 2023-2024 academic year.

The ceremony welcomed photojournalist Bernat Armangué, alumni from the UPC’s Image Processing and Multimedia Technology Centre (CITM) and 2023 Pulitzer winner for the coverage of the war in Ukraine as a member of Associated Press.

Video of the full ceremony (in Catalan)

Conducted by journalist Mercè Folch, the event was attended by the minister of Research and Universities, Joaquim Nadal; the rector, Daniel Crespo; and the president of the Board of Trustees, Montse Guàrdia, among others. Ana Belén Cortinas, the general secretary, presented the University report for the 2022-2023 academic year (in Catalan).

Video of the University report for the 2022-2023 academic year (in Catalan)

During the ceremony, which was broadcasted live on YouTube and Zonavídeo UPC, the following 2022 awards by the University’s Board of Trustees were presented: the University Teaching Quality Award, the University Management Quality Award, the Research Valorisation Award and the Social Commitment Award. The UPC Folder Competition award was presented too.

The ceremony also included the recognition, by the Board of Trustees, of the people from the UPC community, the UPC Group and affiliated organisations who have been awarded a prize or distinction in 2022 in recognition of their teaching, research or sporting achievements.

The event featured several performances by the University’s theatre group Cadència Industrial, choirs and orchestra.