IQS celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2024-2025 in a solemn ceremony in the Auditorium of Barcelona. More than 1,400 guests attended, including family, friends, professors, and academic authorities. A total of 328 undergraduate students took to the stage to receive recognition and personally greet the members of the presidential table.
IQS Celebrates the Graduation of the Class of 2024-2025 with a Moving Academic Event
The event was opened by the rector of Ramon Llull University, Dr Josep Antoni Rom, who congratulated the new graduates on their progress and their efforts. Next, Dr Salvador Borrós, Director of IQS, introduced the speech by the class sponsor, Montse Almirall Civit, an IQS Alumna and the current vice-president of the Contigo Foundation against Women’s Cancer.
“Montse’s great strength is that she is an active person with contagious sympathy. A mother of three, life has tested her with a diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer. But through exceptional strength and empathy, she was able to turn adversity into a life lesson. Her way of seeing the world, based on gratitude and love for others, is an example for everyone. She makes it easy for us to feel proud about our former students,” stated Dr Borrós.
In her speech, Montse Almirall shared her life experience with compassion and honesty, recalling her time at IQS 25 years ago and how her education prepared her not only professionally, but also personally. “Twenty-five years ago I was sitting where you are now. I was just as anxious, with the same desire to do something big. Yet I was full of confidence that what I learned here would prepare me for any challenge,” she said. In addition, she confessed that she did not choose this university only to gain professional education, but to transform herself as a person.
She also reflected on the value of resilience and ethics in life following the diagnosis of a serious illness at age 40. “Sometimes life breaks you down just to teach you how to lift yourself up again. I found that the values I learned at IQS such as perseverance, the ability to reinvent oneself, and hope were more important than ever. Success means more than just achieving goals, but enjoying every step along the way.” She offered a very inspiring message to young people to let nothing stop them in their journey, no matter what difficulties may arise in the future, because at every moment there is an opportunity to grow and learn.
Student participation and recognitions
IQS Registrar, Dr José Javier Molins Vara, was responsible for calling the students to the stage while the bachelor’s degree coordinators read their names. Then, students representing the graduating class (Anapaz Solano Villarreal, Meritxell Gambús Marfà, and Pablo Sánchez Serrano) shared a few thoughts on behalf of their classmates.
One of the most emotional moments during the event was the presentation of a commemorative plaque to the class sponsor, by students Andrea Higuero Palomino and Albert Martí Borrell, in gratitude for her examples in life and professionalism.
Dr Jordi Díaz, Dean of the IQS School of Engineering, and Dr Albert Fornells, Vice-Dean of Academic Planning at the IQS School of Management, presented the Extraordinary Undergraduate Awards for the best academic records:
- Bachelor’s Degree in International Business: Marina Pérez Maestro
- Bachelor’s Degree in Biotechnology: Tània Farnós Pérez de Baños
- Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering: Pol Roquet Puigdollers
- Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering: Natalia Roig Vinardell
- Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry: Andrea Horgan Oller
- Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Management: Pablo Sánchez Serrano
- Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management: Elsa Monné de Mas
- Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing: Carlos Buxadera Rodríguez
The event also featured participation by AIQS Alumni, with speeches by its president, Jordi Martí, and Dr Carles Malet, Associate Director of IQS, who encouraged graduates to maintain connections with the institution and take advantage of the support network offered to former students.
Live music by the Barcelona Gospel Messengers group set a festive tone throughout the event. At the end, after the traditional group photo, the event concluded with a cocktail reception in the auditorium lobby, accompanied by a photocall session organized by AIQS Alumni.
As with every year’s graduation events, the Eucharist was held in the Virgin Mary of the Rosary church before the ceremony. In addition, the graduation ceremony for master’s degree students took place on 26 June, featuring participation by 139 students.