The European University of the Atlantic (UNEATLANTICO) was filled with excitement and joy throughout the weekend as it hosted the graduation ceremonies of the graduating class of the 2023-2024 academic year at the Assembly Hall, as part of the 10th anniversary of the university.
With a large attendance of more than two thousand people, the graduations began on Friday, June 21 with the graduation ceremonies for the degrees in Psychology, Primary Education, Applied Languages and Translation and Interpreting, as well as the Master’s Degree in General Health Psychology and the Master’s Degree in Teacher Training. On Saturday, June 22, UNEATLANTICO celebrated the graduation ceremonies of the degrees in Food Science and Technology, Industrial Organization Engineering, Computer Engineering, Agricultural and Food Industries Engineering, Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Non-attendance Postgraduate Degrees, Business Administration and Management, Audiovisual Communication, Journalism, Advertising and Public Relations and the degree in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences.
Each act counted with the participation of the Lyrical Choir of Cantabria, accompanied by the inspiring words offered by the rector of UNEATLANTICO, Rubén Calderón. Throughout his speeches, he agreed that “you are more than prepared. You know a lot, but you don’t know everything. Don’t lose the illusion of continuing to learn”.
Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Master’s Degree in General Health Psychology
The graduation ceremony for students of the Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology (PSI) and the Master’s Degree in General Health Psychology marked the start of the graduations of the 2023-2024 graduating class. The ceremony began with a few words from the academic director, Dr. Juan Luis Martín, who addressed those present to remind them that “several years have passed since the day we received you in our classrooms to bring you closer to psychology with interest but also with determination. Welcome to this exciting discipline and to the eagerness to continue specializing more and more every day. We have taught you different approaches, theories and scientific methodologies, hoping to have done so from a perspective of dialogue and respect. Thank you for trusting us; the training of people is a great responsibility and also a great pride”.
Then the dean of the Official College of Psychology of Cantabria, Javier Lastra, offered a few words to the graduates as sponsor of the promotion. “You are the representatives of a profession that is subject to constant renewal and change, as is the human being whom you must understand, advise and support. Welcome to this wonderful profession whose fundamental objective is to seek and strengthen the emotional and psychological well-being of citizens”.
Finally, the graduate of the Master’s Degree in General Health Psychology, Estefanía Cantero, said that “it is an honor to represent the graduates on this day that marks the end of a stage and the beginning of our professional life”. She also wanted to emphasize what she experienced during the process, besides being “excited to see how each of us will take psychology to the world. As psychologists we have the challenge and responsibility to accompany our patients. Let’s not forget that our mission is to help, we impact many lives. Let’s always do it with ethics and integrity”.
Degrees in Primary Education, Applied Languages, Translation and Interpreting and the Master’s Degree in Teacher Training.
During this ceremony, the director of the degrees in Translation and Interpreting (TI) and Applied Languages (LA), Dr. Paula Quijano, dedicated a speech to the graduates with a “special illusion because in you I see my two great passions personified in the form of vocation, languages and education. I firmly believe that you have chosen the two most beautiful professions that exist. Because it is priceless to be that bridge that destroys communication barriers, nor to be that ink that writes with affection the pages of the blank book that is our students”.
As the next point, Reyes Mantilla, general director of educational centers and infrastructures of Cantabria, as godmother of the graduates of this event, said that “it is a great honor to be the godmother of this promotion”. Referring to her profession, Mantilla offered “three lessons” during her speech. First, “Always remember the importance of passion. Teaching is not just a profession, it is a vocation”. Second, “Never stop learning. The world is constantly changing and as education professionals you must adapt and grow with that change.” Finally, the third lesson was “practice empathy. Every child, youth and adolescent that falls into your hands is unique. Try to guide them with compassion, since education is not only about transmitting knowledge, but also about forming integral and self-confident people”.
Valeria Ruiz Galán, a Costa Rican graduate of the Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Languages, said on behalf of the graduates that “many of us had to leave our countries, cities and loved ones to get here. No one said it was going to be easy and it definitely has not been, but we knew that every little effort was going to be rewarded. From now on we are the ones responsible for our professions. Remember that there are no impossible dreams”.
Finally, it is worth mentioning that Marta Pascual Sáez, Director General of Universities and University Policy of the Government of Cantabria dedicated a few words to the graduates. “You have achieved with your effort, work, tenacity and enthusiasm, to join the beautiful profession of education.” In addition, the Director General of Universities and University Policy of the Government of Cantabria took a moment to “pay tribute to all the parents and relatives of those of you who are now graduating. Without your help this learning process would not have been achieved successfully”.
Degrees in Food Science and Technology, Computer Engineering, Industrial Organization Engineering, Agricultural and Food Industries Engineering, Human Nutrition and Dietetics, and Postgraduate Non-attendance Degrees.
The first event on Saturday brought together the graduates of the degrees in Food Science and Technology, Computer Engineering, Industrial Organization Engineering, Agricultural and Food Industries Engineering, Human Nutrition and Dietetics, and the non-face-to-face postgraduate courses. The event was inaugurated by Dr. Sandra Sumalla, who in her speech said: “Remember that graduation is not the end of learning, it is only the end of the first stage of the journey, continuous training is essential in all professions, so never stop training”.
Ruben Calderon said that this event is different from the rest, as it stands out for its internationalization, that this “is not an ordinary event. It is the most international event in the history of the university. It is the first event in which students from Angola graduate and it is the first event in which we invite students from non-classroom postgraduate programs. For his part, he thanked the Ambassador of Angola, Mr. Alfredo Dombe, for his presence as sponsor of the graduation ceremony.
On this occasion, the sponsor of the graduating class was the Angolan Ambassador to Spain, Alfredo Dombe, who dedicated a few words of encouragement in Portuguese to the graduates: “Take every opportunity not only to serve your families but also to help society, the world is currently facing great challenges, as graduates use the knowledge acquired to make a difference, promote peace and justice. For in you dwells the power to positively influence the world.”
The first event of the day concluded with the inspiring words of student delegate, Eloisa Basset who conveyed to her classmates, “May every step we take into the future be imbued with gratitude, humility and a sense of purpose greater than ourselves.”
ioi-iiaa-ii-nhd-cta-tnp-sixty-one Graduates of the Degree in Industrial Organization Engineering.
Degree in Business Administration and Management, Audiovisual Communication, Journalism and Advertising and Public Relations.
The second ceremony on Saturday brought together the graduates of the degrees in Business Administration and Management, Audiovisual Communication, Journalism and Advertising and Public Relations. The ceremony was inaugurated by the Vice Rector for Academic Planning and Faculty, Dr. Silvia Aparicio, who dedicated some motivating words to the graduates: “I trust that your passage through the world will leave things better than you found them, be fair with yourselves and with others, this is the time to look to the future, dream and fight for it”.
The class was sponsored by Luis Revenga, President of Diario Montañés, who told the graduates that “you have been lucky enough to achieve your university degree with the support of your families, of course, but also because the European University of the Atlantic has provided you with the means to achieve your degree. Everyone who receives something from someone, is destined to give back what he received. That is why you have to give back to society a part of what you have learned. Your knowledge, trajectory and professional development must be given back to society”.
Finally, the student Beltrán Mostaza dedicated his speech to the audience on behalf of all the graduates, adding that “from today we have a new challenge, to face with maturity our brand new professional future in which we will be able to use all our knowledge acquired here, there will be achievements and also failures, for everything we must be prepared without faltering and with clear goals to build a better society”.
The third and last act on Saturday received the graduates of the degree in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences. This ceremony was opened by Dr. Carlos Lago, academic director of the degree, who began by reminding the students of their early career by recounting experiences and activities taught in class. He also gave words of support and motivation: “You have to go out and prove your worth and knowledge, taking advantage of job opportunities in any corner of the world. Show the population that you are physical-sports educators of the European University of the Atlantic”.
During the ceremony, Raúl Ruiz González-Riancho, Director of the Municipal Sports Institute of Santander, dedicated a speech to the students as sponsor of the promotion. “You are so well prepared and trained that I have no doubt that at European and world level you are at the top. You represent our values and you are responsible for demonstrating that, in the field of physical activity and sport, we are there”.
Then, on behalf of the graduates, Sebastián Muñoz, made the graduation speech in which he communicated inspiring words to his classmates: “In these four years we have walked a path that has not only formed us as professionals in Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, but also as resilient human beings, committed and passionate about their profession. Thus, the university was our court, our professors the coaches and our experiences the lessons that shaped our life practice”.
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