Professor of microbiology Carmen Vargas was invested this Friday as magnificent rector of the University of Sevilleand officially became the first woman to hold this position in the 520-year history of this … historic establishment. “Today I begin a new stage of unity, shared ambition, confidence in our abilities and our future“, defended Vargas in his speech.
This solemn investiture ceremony began at 12:20 p.m., one of the most formal events in the city, in the presence of the Minister of University, Research and Innovation of the Government of Andalusia, Jose Carlos Gomez Villamandos.
The Official Journal of the Junta de Andalucía (BOJA) made his appointment official on December 3 and in the same bulletin was published the dismissal of his predecessor, Miguel Angel Castro. Previously, on November 15, the Board of Directors of the Board of Directors approved this appointment to the position of rector of the University of Seville for the next six years.
Under the gaze of 260 participants, the first rector in the history of Hispalense entered the University Auditorium chairing the academic committee and under the sound “Veni Creator Spiritus”of Rabano Mauro. Vargas received a warm welcome from his predecessor, Miguel Ángel Castro, who was responsible for opening the inauguration ceremony.
Later, it was the advisor’s turn Jose Carlos Gomezwho wished the Sevillian good luck in this new journey. “Today is a day of hope and look to the future with confidence and set goals as the rector and her team did“, he established. He did not forget the outgoing rector Gómez, whom he described as “his great role” in the internationalization of universities, to the spontaneous applause of those present. Likewise, the advisor stressed that nothing should disturb the state of satisfaction of the new rector, who “will have time to assume the weight of the responsibility of a flagship of the Andalusian educational community like that of the United States”, he clarified.
Miguel Ángel Castro then intervened in his last official speech as rector of the Sevillian university, which he delivered in front of the new visible leader of all Sevillian university students. Castro publicly addressed the barons of the University after having greeted all the authorities at length and winking at his successor born in Sanlúcar la Mayor. In his speech, the outgoing rector spoke of how he had already worked alongside Vargas in previous events. “I finished my semester in Philosophy and Pharmacy, where we started studying both, which allowed me to view the career as a circle,” he emphasized. It closes 17 years between vice-rector and rector, the one who had words to defend and respect public education and then dedicated a few titles to the new rector. “Here is a magnificent rector, she has the talent, knowledge and education to be a great rector”he expressed, before receiving a one-minute ovation.
Alfonso Guerra was present at the inauguration ceremony of Carmen Vargas
The sounds of Bach preluded the reading of the decree by which Carmen Vargas was appointed to the great university chair. Then, the professor proceeded with both the solemn oath and the transfer of his attributes and symbols before delivering his inaugural speech. “What we are celebrating today is an important milestone for the institution, which has been a driver of consciousness for five centuries. Being the first woman is an immense honor that I accept with enormous respect and humility.. I take it on with a deep commitment, both to those who were there and to future generations,” he explained.
The rector’s teams, the candidates presented and the entire community were also recalled, without ignoring either the students or the management team, or the teaching and research staff. What this “daughter of merchants” from Sanlúcar la Mayor pursues is a “public university that guarantees equity of access, defending public service and higher education as a right”he alleged.
For the rector already invested, there is no university in her head that is not “rich in European values”“, while remaining economically sustainable”, which improves the employability of young people. It is time, he said, to focus on academic careers and engage in research. “The University of Seville will continue to be a faithful ally of public administrations”moved forward. Likewise, he spoke about the organizations that influence the United States and the university from the national to the local level without ignoring the regional level. The last memories were for his family: “They were my silent support,” said the rector. “Because I am the first university student in the family,” she declared, not without saying before suspending her first session: “This path is also yours.”
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