First of all, I hope that you and your loved ones are all in good health.

An unusual academic year is ending. We can feel satisfied with our response to the profound challenge posed by COVID-19. We have ended the year quite successfully: we have heard from schools that the end-of-year assessment period has taken place with few problems. We can say the same about the university entrance exams that have been held on UPC campuses.

As an institution we have been strengthened by this situation. Now, more than ever, the importance of our territorial diversity has been highlighted and the different campuses have been able to find appropriate answers to the challenges they have faced. We need to become aware of all that we have done, what we have been able to achieve and the fact that we have been able to, once again, put the knowledge generated at the UPC at the service of society, a role that we must reinforce with a humanist approach to technology that will make us more sensitive to the demands of society.

We will have to coexist with COVID-19 for longer than we would have liked. As a public service we are committed to maintaining our activity in the best possible way, and we address the situations as they arise with determination, diligently following the protocols stipulated by the health authorities. I am sure that these uncertain times have served to and will continue to serve to empower the persons who make up the UPC community and broaden the UPC's leadership. It has become clear that knowledge and technology are essential to the future of Catalonia.

The coming academic year is likely to be affected by the pandemic again to a greater or lesser extent. We will be better prepared. We are already implementing the improvement plan designed to guarantee teaching in the most probable scenarios. Keep checking the communications and information given by your schools.

To conclude, once again I wish to thank all of you who have made it possible. We are fully aware of the enormous efforts that all of the community have made, particularly in teaching. I am proud to be able to say that the UPC community, teaching and research staff, administrative and service staff and students have lived up to what society expected of us. Now is the moment to replenish our energy and enjoy our well-deserved holidays.

Thank you.