In a formal ceremony held at the Auditorium of Barcelona on 5 July, IQS celebrated the graduation of 360 undergraduate students who took the stage to personally greet the members of the presidential board. The ceremony was attended by more than 1,600 guests.
The opening speech of the academic ceremony was delivered by the Rector of Ramon Llull University, Dr Josep Antoni Rom, who congratulated the graduates. He then gave the floor to the President of the IQS Foundation, Fr. Enric Puig SJ, who addressed the students saying: “I hope that the education you have received will help you to ‘love and serve’ people, society, and the historical moment in which you are already leading actors, in line with the Ignatian paradigm.”
Dr Salvador Borrós, Director of IQS, presented the sponsor of the class of 2024 and IQS alumna Alicia Richart, General Manager of Spain & Portugal at Afiniti, who gave a speech with very specific advice for future professionals, such as the importance of taking action and risks: “Do you know the difference between those who succeed and those who don’t? Those who succeed take risks. Mistakes aren’t what define us, but how we respond to them.” In addition, the executive spoke about job skills beyond techniques, mental health, vulnerability, and the ability to adapt, among other aspects. Her speech ended with a special statement addressed to female graduates and recalling the historic quote by Winston Churchill: “Success is the ability to go from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm.”
Dr Concepció Mestres, Dean of FCS Blanquerna, Dr Jordi Díaz, Dean of the IQS School of Engineering, and Dr Belén Derqui, Vice-Dean of Strategic Academic Planning at the IQS School of Management, presented the Extraordinary Award to the undergraduate students with the best academic transcripts:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy: Caroline Porskamp Muñoz
- Bachelor’s Degree in Biotechnology: Gemma Vázquez Centelles
- Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering: Maria Rodríguez Llaneras
- Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering: Jordi Arce Canals
- Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry: Laia Torrella Adriaensen
- Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Management: Guillem Roma Turull
- Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing: Alessia Johnson Montes
- Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management: Marc Ibáñez Garra
Dr José Javier Molins, IQS Registrar, presented the results of the Master’s Degree Scholarship Awards. The companies Andbank, Covestro, Celsa Group, Equatorial Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Eurofragance, Grifols, Klinea, Klockner, Lluch Essence, Naturgy, Roca Sanitario, Technip Energies, Waldner, and Werfen are companies that form part of the IQS Business Foundation and recognize student efforts and help them continue to advance in their studies with IQS master’s degree programmes. On 19 October, a special event will be held for the winners and the companies.
The event featured a presentation and greeting from AIQS Alumni, led by Dr Carles Malet, associate director of IQS and member of the IQS alumni association, who encouraged recent graduates to remain in contact with the institution and to benefit from its support and guidance as they embark upon their professional careers.
After the traditional group photo, the graduation ceremony for the IQS class of 2024 culminated with a lively cocktail party in the Auditorium. Family members and students had the opportunity to share some relaxed time with the faculty and other members of the IQS educational community.
The evening’s playful touch was captured by the photocall organized by AIQS Alumni, where graduates were able to preserve a unique memory of this special day. In addition, the musical group Barcelona Gospel Messengers enlivened the celebration with their music full of energy and positivity.
Like every year, the Eucharist was held in the church of the Virgin Mary of Roser just before the graduation ceremony. In addition, the graduation ceremony for master’s degree students was held on 27 June, in which 163 students participated.