The Director General of the Agència Valenciana d’Avaluació i Prospectiva (AVAP), Javier Oliver, attended the opening ceremony of the 2025–2026 academic year at the Universidad Europea de Valencia on Thursday, October 2.
The event, held at the Turia Campus, brought together representatives from the academic, institutional, business, and military sectors, highlighting the role of higher education as a driving force for social transformation.
The ceremony was presided over by Rosa Sanchidrián Pardo, Rector of the university, who focused her address on the role of universities in times of change and uncertainty.
In her speech, she emphasized the institution’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and social impact, underlining that the university must be a “beacon in times of uncertainty” and a space for critical thinking and ethical engagement.
Sanchidrián also highlighted the growth of the university community, which now exceeds 9,200 students and 900 faculty members, as well as the introduction of new undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs designed to address the challenges of an ever-evolving world.
The inaugural lecture was delivered by Professor Frederic Mertens de Wilmars, Director of the Department of Legal Sciences and Associate Professor of Constitutional Law and Political Science.
Under the title “Uncertainty in International Relations: Challenges That Will Transform Society”, Professor Mertens explored the geopolitical, technological, and ethical challenges shaping the new world order and reaffirmed the university’s role in fostering critical, free, and engaged minds.
The event also featured a round table discussion with Ester Gómez Martín, Regional Secretary for Universities of the Department of Education, Culture, Universities, and Employment of the Generalitat Valenciana; Raquel Aguado Muñoz, Director General for Representation before the European Union and the Autonomous Communities of the Generalitat Valenciana; and Lieutenant Colonel Juan Prieto, from the 1st Intelligence Regiment.
The discussion focused on the importance of adaptation, resilience, and strategic intelligence in a constantly changing global context.
AVAP’s commitment to quality and innovation in higher education
AVAP’s participation in this event reinforces its commitment to strengthening the Valencian university system and promoting higher education based on quality, transparency, and continuous improvement.
The Agency fosters collaboration with universities and research centers to advance towards an educational model that combines academic rigor, innovation, and social engagement.
Photo credits: universidadeuropea.com
