UDIT celebrates its Academic Act in commemoration of the feast of Saint Thomas Aquinas

UDIT, University of Design, Innovation and Technology celebrated the feast of St. Thomas Aquinas in a solemn ceremony presided over by Dr. Juan Cayón, Rector Magnificent, and attended by the academic, research, professional and management team of the Institution.

On this day, in which the keynote lecture was given by the renowned architect Carlos Baztán under the title "Design, public action, culture and city", the academic and research work of teachers and researchers at UDIT was also recognised, as well as the trajectory of the employees who have celebrated more than ten years of seniority at the University.

The event began with the inaugural speech of Dr. Juan Cayón, in which he said "You are the role model, the ideal in which your colleagues and, above all, your students, see themselves reflected. You are an outstanding example of the work carried out at our University and, therefore, on behalf of the entire university community, I reiterate our pride and congratulations for your success".

He also stressed that "Universities are, or at least should be, powerful leaders of innovation and change in science and technology, in the arts, humanities, design and, in general, creative disciplines. They must train people with knowledge and skills; they must import knowledge from wherever it is produced; and they must apply it in whatever activity. Universities must be the seedbed for new industries, products and services, and they are called to be a reference for knowledge-based industrial networks.

Architect Carlos Baztán is named Honorary Professor at UDIT

During the event, Carlos Baztán had the opportunity to give the master lecture"Design, public action, culture and city", in which he reflected on the role of design in cultural management and in the improvement of public spaces, as well as underlining how public administrations have integrated design as a key tool to guarantee access to culture and promote opportunities for professionals in the sector, contributing to improving the quality of life of citizens and the sustainability of cities.

Following the master class, the University's Governing Body, at the proposal of the academic departments, awarded Mr. Carlos Baztán Lacasa the title of Honorary Professor of UDIT, University of Design, Innovation and Technology, highlighting his professional career in which, for more than four decades, he has transformed Spain's cultural heritage and contributed to shaping cities that are more alive and connected to their citizens.

Juan Cayón, Rector of UDIT, who presented the award, highlighted how "design, as understood and promoted by Carlos Baztán, is much more than a creative discipline; it is a strategic tool for tackling the challenges of our globalised society".

Recognition of teachers, researchers and the University's professional team

The Celebration Ceremony also served to recognise the academic work of the professors of the five academic departments around which the University is structured.

Doctor Ana Vicens Poveda was distinguished as the best lecturer in the Fashion Department; Doctor Carmina López Sánchez as the best lecturer in the Audiovisual and Graphic Creation Department; Raúl San Julián Alonso as the best lecturer in the Video Games and Animation Department; Doctor Jaime Sanz de Haro, for his part, was recognised as the best lecturer in the Interior Design Department and Doctor Francisco Javier Fernández de Gorostiza Luengo as the best lecturer in the Product Design and User Experience Department.

Similarly, UDIT has had a special distinction with the researchers who have been recognised for their six years of research in the past year: Dr. María Eugenia Blázquez Rodríguez; Dr. Francisco Javier Fernández de Gorostiza Luengo; Dr. Marta de Miguel Zamora; Dr. María Beltrán Rodríguez; Dr. Rafael Conde Melguizo; Dr. María de las Nieves Ferrer Fernández; Dr. María José Pérez-Luque Maricalca; Dr. María de las Nieves Ferrer Fernández; Dr. María José Pérez-Luque Maricalca and Dr. Rafael Conde Melguizo. María José Pérez-Luque Maricalva and Dr. José Luis Olazagoitia Rodríguez; as well as with the researchers who have been accredited during the past year: Dr. Pablo Nogueira Iglesias; Dr. María Gárgoles Navas; Dr. Carmelo Rodríguez Cedillo; Dr. Juan Romero Luis; Dr. Raquel Ávila Muñoz and Dr. Ana Llorente Villasevil.

To conclude with the distinctions in the field of research at the University, UDIT presented the Research Award to Dr. José Luis Olazagoitia Rodríguez, Vice-Rector for Research at UDIT, in recognition of his excellent research work, as well as for having obtained the highest IAI in the academic year.

Likewise, UDIT wanted to recognise the work and career of the longest-serving members of the professional team at the institution, in this case, the work of Mr Javier Sanz Cortés, Director of the Department of Product Design and User Experience, who celebrated his tenth anniversary at the institution.