Closing stages and starting new ones

The ceremony began with some moving words from Laura Hidalgo Ruiz, student of the Technical Assistant Training Programme in Professional Educational Environments: EDUCADEMOS, and Juan José Casals Valladares, student of the Technical Assistant Training Programme in Technological Environments: TECNODEMOS.

"Here I have felt at home, I have not felt rejected. I have fulfilled a dream I had since I was a child: to learn how to treat and get to know young children. Studying here has helped me to understand children, that they are very different from each other. I have learned to read children's eyes, I have learned to hug them when they need it and to give them space when they ask for it", Laura pointed out.

For his part, Juan sent an emotional message to his colleagues: "We take with us everything we have learned over the years, the preparation, the effort, the enthusiasm... Now it is up to us to show that we are prepared and that we can do a great job wherever we are and make our families, teachers and ourselves very proud of what we have achieved".

After his speech, the teachers prepared a thank you video for the students and the godmother of the graduating class, Paralympic athlete and alumni, Carmen Giménez, said a few words. She stressed the importance of continuing to improve oneself and not limiting oneself.

This was followed by one of the most eagerly awaited moments of the event, the awarding of stoles. A great recognition of the effort and work done. However, the emotions did not stop there, as the special mention awards and the Friend Award were also presented. In the first category, Luz-María Sanz Molina-Prados, student of the Technical Assistant Training Programme in Professional Educational Environments: EDUCADEMOS, and Sonia María Calderón Bonilla, student of the Technical Assistant Training Programme in Technological Environments: TECNODEMOS, received the award.

On the other hand, Javier Jiménez Ayuso, from the University Publishing, Production and Sales Office, received the Friend of EDUCADEMOS Award, and Yolanda González Arechavala, lecturer at Comillas ICAI, and the students of the ICAI Learning and Service workshops were recognised with the Friend of TECNODEMOS Award.

To conclude the graduation, Ignacio Egea Krauel, president of the Down Madrid Foundation, Ana Ferguson Vázquez de Parga, senior manager of the Social Transformation Area of the Repsol Foundation, and Mariano Ventosa Rodríguez, vice-rector for Research and Teaching Staff, wished to say a few words. They thanked the teachers and their families for their commitment and trust, and congratulated the graduates on completing this special stage.

We would like to thank all the schools and collaborating companies for their dedication and commitment: Siemens Energy, Fundación Iberdrola, Fundación Telefónica, Fundación Profuturo, Grupo Planeta Enano, Naturgy, Colegio Sagrado Corazón and Nemomarlin.

Congratulations to all the graduates! On to the next challenge.

If you missed the event, don't hesitate to relive it 👈