Opening of the 2015–2016 academic year

The first item on the agenda of the ceremony is the presentation of the academic report for the year 2014–2015, by UAB secretary general, Judith Solé. Then, María Josefa Yzuel, emeritus professor in the Department of Physics, will give the opening lecture entitled "The science of light and light-based technologies".
 
María Josefa Yzuel was the first Spanish woman to obtain a tenured university position in the field of Physics, in 1971. Her research in image processing and liquid crystals is internationally recognised and she is a major figure in several international scientific organisations.

Yzuel is president of the Spanish committee responsible for the activities commemorating the International Year of Light 2015, many of which aim to showcase the light-based science and technology used in fields like health, communications, the economy, the environment and society, with the participation of universities, research centres, schools, museums, etc.

Next on the agenda, following the opening lecture, is a performance by the UAB Choir, led by Poire Vallvé and accompanied on the piano by Martí Carreras.

The closing addresses will be made by Gabriel Masfurroll, president of the UAB Social Council, Carles Escolà, mayor of Cerdanyola del Vallès, Antoni Castellà, minister for universities and research in the Government of Catalonia (Generalitat) and Ferran Sancho, rector of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, followed by the rendition of Gaudeamus Igitur by the UAB Choir.