The Valencian Agency for Assessment and Foresight takes part in the main events marking the start of the new academic year, reaffirming its commitment to quality and continuous improvement in higher education.
The Valencian Agency for Assessment and Foresight (AVAP) has been present at the opening ceremonies for the 2026–2027 academic year at Valencian universities, joining higher education institutions at the events that mark the beginning of a new academic year.
Through the participation of its Director General, Javier Oliver Villarroya, AVAP has taken part in these academic events, which have brought together university representatives, public authorities and members of the academic community.
The different ceremonies have provided an opportunity to highlight the work carried out over the previous academic year, recognise the achievements of academics and researchers, and address some of the main challenges currently facing higher education, from research and innovation to technological transformation and links with society and the productive sector.
The University of Valencia opens the academic year at La Nau
On 11 September, AVAP attended the Solemn Opening Ceremony of the 2026–2027 Academic Year at the University of Valencia, held at the Paraninfo of La Nau. The ceremony was chaired by Rector Juan Luis Gandía Cabedo and brought together a broad representation of the university community and Valencian society.
The event was attended by Minister for Science, Innovation and Universities Diana Morant; Regional Secretary for Universities Esther Gómez Martín; Rector of the Universitat Politècnica de València, José E. Capilla; and Rector of the Universitat Jaume I, Jesús Lancis Sáez.
One of the highlights of the ceremony was the traditional academic procession, bringing together doctors from the University of Valencia. The event also included the presentation of the 2025–2026 academic year report, while Professor Pilar Serra Añó delivered the inaugural lecture, “Neuroplasticity, Function and Quality of Life: Precision Neurological Physiotherapy”.
The opening ceremony once again highlighted the role of the university as a space for knowledge, research and education, as well as its links with wider society.
UPV highlights research and academic excellence
The Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) held its Solemn Opening Ceremony of the 2026–2027 Academic Year on 10 September at the Paraninfo on its Vera campus, attended by AVAP Director General Javier Oliver Villarroya.
The ceremony placed particular emphasis on recognising the academic and research achievements of the university community. New professors and professors appointed to chairs were recognised, new doctors were formally admitted, and the Extraordinary Doctoral Thesis Awards were presented. Academic staff who had received their fifth positive research assessment were also recognised.
The inaugural lecture was delivered by Professor Manuel Esteve Domingo, who addressed current threats in the digital environment under the title “Cybersecurity and Cyberdefence: Shared Challenges in the Face of Threats in Cyberspace”.
The ceremony concluded with an address by UPV Rector José E. Capilla, officially marking the start of the new academic year.
The University of Alicante addresses the challenges facing education and science
On 15 September, AVAP took part in the Solemn Opening Ceremony of the 2026–2027 Academic Year at the University of Alicante, held in the institution’s Paraninfo.
The ceremony was chaired by Rector Amparo Navarro Faure and included an address by Regional Minister for Education, Culture and Universities Mª Carmen Ortí, alongside academic, institutional and social representatives.
The event included the presentation of the 2025–2026 academic year report. Professor Francisco José Mas Ruiz, from the Faculty of Economics and Business, delivered the inaugural lecture entitled “Competition and Marketing Strategies in Business”. The ceremony also recognised retiring members of staff and relatives of members of the university community who had passed away during the previous year.
In her opening address, Amparo Navarro highlighted the role of universities and science as tools for addressing some of the major challenges facing society, including cybercrime, disinformation and hate, while also stressing the need to move towards adequate university funding.
The ceremony followed the start of teaching at the University of Alicante, which began the academic year with more than 25,000 enrolled students and a significant number of new students.
EDEM celebrates the talent of a new generation of graduates
AVAP’s presence also extended to other areas of higher education. On 14 September, the Agency joined EDEM Escuela de Empresarios at an event held at the Roig Arena in Valencia, bringing together around 400 undergraduate and master’s students as they completed their studies.
AVAP Director General Javier Oliver Villarroya attended the event, which focused on recognising students’ efforts and highlighting the importance of education connected to the professional world.
The Agency’s participation reflects AVAP’s relationship with the different organisations that form part of the Valencian higher education ecosystem, extending beyond the university sector itself.
Universitat Jaume I hosts the opening of the Valencian university system’s academic year
On 23 September, the Universitat Jaume I hosted the official opening ceremony of the 2026–2027 academic year for the Valencian university system. The institutional ceremony, held at the UJI Paraninfo, brought together the rectors of the five public universities and four private universities in the Valencian Community.
The event was also particularly significant for the host institution, as it was the first opening ceremony chaired by its new Rector, Jesús Lancis.
AVAP was represented at the event by its Director General, Javier Oliver Villarroya, at a gathering that brought together representatives from Valencian universities and the main institutions of the Valencian Community.
The ceremony was chaired by Jesús Lancis and President of the Generalitat Valenciana Juanfran Pérez Llorca, and was attended by Minister for Science, Innovation and Universities Diana Morant, alongside representatives of the university system and other authorities.
In his address, the UJI Rector identified the development of artificial intelligence and digital technologies, together with the need to ensure sufficient funding for universities to fulfil their different functions, among the sector’s main challenges. Lancis announced that the UJI will approve an institutional framework for incorporating artificial intelligence into teaching, research and management during the academic year.
Against this backdrop, he highlighted the importance of strengthening skills such as critical thinking, creativity, ethics and judgement, particularly in light of the transformation brought about by artificial intelligence in education and professional life.
The Rector also presented the main priorities of the UJI Government Action Plan, structured around areas including campus adaptation and sustainability, university accommodation, internationalisation, people-focused policies, the transformation of academic provision, and the strengthening of research and knowledge transfer.
The inaugural lecture was delivered by Professor of Criminal Law María Luisa Cuerda Arnau, who addressed “The Power to Punish in the Age of Disinformation: Limits and Challenges of Criminal Justice”. Her lecture examined the evolution of criminal law and the limits of punitive power, as well as the new challenges arising from artificial intelligence and disinformation.
The lecture also highlighted the role of universities in educating citizens who are able to critically analyse reality and address the challenges arising from technological and social transformation.
During the ceremony, a number of measures relating to the Valencian university and science system were also announced. Among them, the President of the Generalitat stated that the Valencian Law on Science, Innovation and Scientific Entrepreneurship would be approved before the end of the current legislative term, and highlighted various measures relating to university funding, scholarships and support for research.
The opening ceremony at the UJI therefore provided a meeting point for the entire Valencian university system, bringing to the forefront some of the challenges that will shape higher education, research and innovation in the coming years.
AVAP alongside Valencian universities
AVAP’s participation in the 2026–2027 opening ceremonies reflects its presence alongside the institutions that make up the Valencian university system and its commitment to assessment, quality and the continuous improvement of higher education.
The different ceremonies have provided an opportunity to meet with university communities and with the main institutional and social stakeholders connected to higher education, while also highlighting some of the challenges that will shape the new academic year, from research and innovation to digital transformation and artificial intelligence.
For AVAP, the start of the 2026–2027 academic year is also an opportunity to continue strengthening collaboration with Valencian universities and contribute to improving the quality of the university system.
