The UAB presents this year's extraordinary PhD degrees and awards

Malgosa commented on some of the University's most positive figures, such as the fact that it has 68 PhD programmes, most of which have been recognised with a seal of excellence, and more than five thousand PhD students. The vice-rector also pointed out that more than seven hundred PhD theses were defended at the UAB last academic year. She also acknowledged the important role of thesis supervisors and the support of the families of PhD students, and stated that "doing a PhD thesis is not easy, this journey is certainly fundamental."

Joan Ferrarons, extraordinary prizewinner of the PhD programme in Translation and Intercultural Studies, spoke on behalf of this year's graduates. He also praised the joint work of the researchers and their thesis directors, as well as the support of colleagues and families during the process. And he delivered a firm defense of research and its social dimension: "In the face of the reactionary wave that belittles science, we must defend the quality of public universities and we must work to reduce precariousness by improving the working conditions" of teaching and research staff.

The School for Doctoral Studies' "most important" event

Virginia Luzón, vice-rector for Communication at the UAB, introduced the sponsor of this PhD class as an "exceptional" speaker. María Jesús Espuny, Professor of History of Law and Institutions and Ombudsperson at the UAB, gave a talk on the legal history of the struggle for a fair working day. Specifically, Dr Espuny spoke about the conquest of the eight-hour working day after historic mobilisations such as May Day in Chicago in 1886 or, locally, the La Canadenca strike in Barcelona of 1919, which led to the establishment of the eight-hour working day.

Beatriz Ferrús, director of the UAB School for Doctoral Studies, congratulated all graduates, whom she described as "the true protagonists" of a ceremony that is "the most important event organised by the School" throughout the year. Montserrat López, president of the Academic Commission of the UAB Board of Trustees, addressed the new UAB doctors to convey to them that they have "the right and duty to feel proud". According to López, "human capital is the main value of the University" and "the quality of a  PhD degree is essential" for a "leading university in research" such as the UAB.