One of the main tasks of the University, together with the research, is to provide the best possible training to students. This was stated by the President of the University of Navarra, Alfonso Sánchez-Tabernero, during the 2013-2014 academic official opening of the academic year . "Good training tends to make people more creative, more innovative, more supportive, more able to understand each other; good training is also very useful to find a good employment ", he pointed out.

Faced with the current status deterioration of the labor market, said the President, "the University of Navarra feels the responsibility to contribute what it can to alleviate this problem. We must strive in two directions: first, to continue working to enhance the employability of our graduates; second, to increase the issue of jobs that arise in the University's environment by promoting new spin-offs and favoring initiatives driven by entrepreneurs trained at the University of Navarra."

On the other hand, he indicated that in the last few years some projects have been born in the University that constitute examples of the university work at the service of people, especially those most in need. "The university work makes it possible to participate in large-scale projects; to contribute - together with many other people and institutions - to make life in a miserable economic status become part of History".

In this regard, he referred to the work of the group of research on Poverty and development -which is part of the Institute for Culture and SocietyHe also referred to the work on palliative care that seeks to preserve the quality and dignity of human life in the final moments; research on global law; and the programs of study of the Tropical Health Institute on dengue, malaria and leishmaniasis.

Objectives met at research, international outreach and postgraduate program

In addition, it focused on the fulfillment of the objectives set for the previous year: to promote the research with the start-up and strengthening of new centers; boosting the international dimension; and consolidating the offer of postgraduate program."In the first goal we have been able to make progress despite the fact that we are affected - as we all are - by the economic uncertainty in our environment". In this way, he highlighted the start of the activities of the research center in Nutrition, the reinforcement of the ICS staff with young researchers from prestigious entities or the appointment of Dr. Jesús San Miguel as director of Clinical and Translational Medicine of the University.

"On the road to a more international University - stressed the President- we already have 15% of foreign students and all the centers have drawn up their plans for internationalization ".

Museum, axis of the cultural life of the campus

Regarding the novelties of the next academic year, he highlighted the completion of the works of the Museum of the University of Navarra. "We intend it to be the hub of the cultural life of campus, to become a place of research and artistic experimentation, to serve as a gateway to entrance to the University for the citizens of Navarre and to attract visitors from many other regions and countries."

Another new feature of this academic year is that the first year students of the Degree Management Assistant program, taught by ISSA, will have their classes in Pamplona. issue The President welcomed them and pointed out that on its fiftieth anniversary, "ISSA has consolidated its position as a highly valued academic center in society, as evidenced by the high number of offers of employment received by its graduates".

Alfonso Sánchez-Tabernero also alluded to the academic novelties of this academic year, among which are the double Degree of Philosophy and Law, the Governance and Leadership Program as an international pathway of Degree in Economics, new international programs in Architecture, Medicine and Nursing, and the pathway in management cultural of Degree in Humanities.

"Person, freedom, gift"

The opening began with a Eucharistic concelebration presided by the Archbishop of Pamplona and Bishop of Tudela, Francisco Pérez González. After the academic parade of doctors, the ceremony began with the intervention of University Secretary, Gonzalo Robles, who summarized the most relevant data of research and teaching of the Academic report of the academic year 2012-2013. Next, the inaugural lecture, entitled "Person, freedom, gift", was given by the Full Professor of Metaphysics , Ángel Luis González.

Among the authorities who attended the event were the President of the Government of Navarra, Yolanda Barcinathe delegate of the Government, Carmen Albathe mayor of Pamplona, Enrique Mayathe military commander general of Navarre, José Ignacio González Arteagathe President of the Superior Court of Justice of Navarre, Juan Manuel Fernandezthe senior prosecutor of the TSJN, José Antonio Sánchezthe president of the Provincial Court, Esther EriceThe President of the Parliament of Navarre, Alberto Catalánthe vice-president of the Government, Lourdes Goicoechea; the counselor of Education, José Iribasthe Health Counselor, Marta Verathe Councilor for Social Policies, Iñigo Allithe president of the PSN, Román Felones; the University Secretary of the PSN, Roberto JimenezThe senator Amelia SalanuevaThe administrative assistant of the Bureau of the Parliament, Mayte Esporrínthe spokeswoman parliamentarian in the commission of Education of group Socialist, Mª Victoria Arraizaand the Bildu member of parliament Kodo Amezketa.

Also in attendance were the Vice President of University Projection of the UPNA, Eloísa Ramírez; the director of the UNED Pamplona, José Luis Martín Nogales; and the director of the UNED Tudela, Luis Jesús Fernández Rodríguez.