On Wednesday, April 16, the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) held the formal inauguration ceremony of the new director of the School of Civil Engineering (ETSICCP), Professor Ignacio Andrés Doménech. The ceremony was presided over by the Rector of the UPV, Pepe Capilla, and was attended by various authorities, representatives of civil society, school staff and students.
In his speech, outgoing director and current Vice-Rector for Infrastructure and Campus Coordination, Eugenio Pellicer, reflected on his eight years leading the School, expressing his satisfaction in having served a united and committed community. He thanked the support received and highlighted the work of his management team, the academic and administrative staff, and the School’s connections with its socioeconomic environment. He emphasized, among other achievements, the restructuring of degree programs, the creation of the Environmental Engineering degree, the increase in student numbers, and the growth of industry-linked academic chairs.
After the reading of the official appointment by the Secretary General, the new director formally took office with a public oath, receiving warm applause from those present. In his first remarks as director, Professor Ignacio Andrés recalled his first steps at the School thirty years ago and expressed gratitude for the support shown during the election process. He acknowledged Eugenio Pellicer, his new team, his academic colleagues, and Professor Juan Marco, whom he described as his “academic father”.
Andrés outlined the strategic pillars of his term: ensuring ETSICCP remains a benchmark in civil and environmental engineering, addressing emerging societal challenges, and promoting engineering vocations while reinforcing the role of civil engineering as a driver of progress. He also highlighted the urgent need to manage generational turnover with mechanisms that guarantee knowledge transfer. In a final message to the School community, he called for unity, open dialogue and collective ambition to shape the future together. “This School is an inseparable part of my life,” he concluded, “and I embrace these new responsibilities with passion, together with my team and the entire community.”
Rector Pepe Capilla paid a heartfelt tribute to Pellicer, describing him as an exemplary academic with a transformative vision, and recalling his often-repeated phrase: “Civil engineering is passion, commitment, and future.” He also acknowledged the challenges Pellicer faced at the start of his term and expressed gratitude for his unwavering support and loyalty. “Leading a School like Caminos,” Capilla said, “means far more than managing resources. It means projecting horizons and paving paths—both literally and institutionally.”
Regarding the new director, Capilla praised Ignacio Andrés’ technical, teaching, research, and human qualities, highlighting his strong engagement with applied research and collaboration with external stakeholders. “Paving paths is a collective task,” he said, “and I am certain that Nacho Andrés will lead this new stage with calm, vision, and a deep sense of public service.”
