During his speech, the Rector reflected on the current global context, noting that “the international context is going through a period marked by geopolitical tensions and conflicts that continue to cause suffering to many people”, and reaffirmed the role of universities as spaces for knowledge, dialogue and cooperation between societies.
In this regard, he referred to his recent participation in Lima at a meeting between university rectors from Peru and Spain, where he defended the idea that “in an increasingly fragmented world, science and education remain one of the few areas where international cooperation continues even in contexts of political tension”.
Capilla also referred to the impact that the severe DANA storm that affected the Valencian region at the end of 2024 has had on the university community. As he explained, the UPV “has mobilized more than one and a half million euros in direct aid for students affected by this situation”. He also recognized the commitment shown by students during those difficult moments, once again describing them as a “diamond generation”.
The Rector thanked the outgoing delegations for their work, stressing that “representing students requires dedication, time and a strong sense of institutional responsibility”. In this regard, he noted that this role “is not only an experience that becomes part of your CV, it is also an act of generosity towards your fellow students and towards the institution”.
During the ceremony, Capilla also paid special tribute to the outgoing president of the Student Council in 2025, Elena García Lleó, whom he thanked for “all your work in defense of student representation”, and congratulated on her recent appointment as Vice-President for University Policy of the Spanish Coordination of Student Representatives from Public Universities.
Likewise, the Rector congratulated the new president of the Student Council, Samuel Gil Medina, a graduate in Industrial Design Engineering and Product Development from the Alcoy campus, and stated that he is convinced that “he will carry out this responsibility with commitment and with a broad vision of the entire UPV student body”.
In his speech, Capilla also highlighted several initiatives that define the UPV’s university model, including Generación Espontánea, entrepreneurship, employability, internationalization and sustainability. Regarding the university’s student innovation ecosystem, he noted that Generación Espontánea currently involves “around three thousand students organized in dozens of teams developing technological, scientific, artistic and social projects of enormous value”.
The Rector also emphasized the university’s commitment to internationalization, highlighting the future joint campus with Beihang University in Hangzhou. If everything proceeds as planned, academic activity will begin there next academic year, which “will make UPV the first Spanish university with an official academic presence in China”.
Capilla concluded by recalling the role that students play in the future of both the institution and society. To do so, he quoted Spanish philosopher José Ortega y Gasset, who said that “whenever you teach, teach also to doubt”. According to the Rector, this idea remains essential because “doubting, even the established status quo, remains key to the advancement and progress of our societies”.