"Let's be aware of who we want to be, and build our future accordingly"

The marquee that reigns today on the Cantoblanco campus was the main stage for the, perhaps in some cases, last steps of the students of the Faculty of Business Administration (ICADE). An emotional ceremony in which students, family members, lecturers, alumni, friends and many other members of the university community gathered to celebrate a unique moment.

Looking back, as Paula Neira Oliver, a student of the Bachelor in Business Administration and Management with International Mention, recalled in her speech, "who didn't arrive at ICADE thinking about how difficult it would be, how much we would have to study and how little social life we would have?"

In the blink of an eye, 4 or 5 years of study have flown by and the time has come to "go out into the real world". A different reality, which will bring new experiences and learning for our students. Carina Szpilka, Founding Partner of K Fund Venture Capital and godmother of this graduating class, wanted to give some advice to the students. "Life comes to meet you and from the most unexpected you can make great achievements", "always surround yourself with good people, because your peers build your character" and "never stop feeling vulnerable, be humble, don't be arrogant, because arrogance destroys entire organisations".

I am sure that Carina's words, like those of all the teachers, heads of studies, colleagues and others, will resonate with our students for a long time to come. Now begins a new stage, a new beginning in which Enrique Sanz Giménez-Rico, rector of the university, invites them to "continue along this path, searching for the truth, in the new situation in which you find yourselves. Do so and help others to also seek it, with the same enthusiasm and hope as we continue to seek it in our university."

"Let us be aware of who we want to be, and let us build our future accordingly." With these words Paula ended her speech. Words full of hope, self-knowledge and opportunities, key elements that will undoubtedly accompany the students in this new stage.

See all the photos of your graduation here🎓