The General Assembly of the association of Friends of the University of Navarra has elected Professor Alfonso Sánchez-Tabernero -President between 2012 and 2021 - as the new president of its board Board of Directors. He will make the position compatible with his teaching and research tasks as Full Professor of business Informative in the School of Communication.

Professor Sánchez Tabernero replaces José María Bastero -Presidentbetween 1996 and 2005 - who leaves his positionafter 14 years at the helm. Former presidents include Carlos Jiménez Díaz, Ismael Sánchez Bella and Eduardo Ortiz de Landázuri.

The University's president , María Iraburu, thanked Professor Bastero for his dedication to the association de Amigos. "With these years of presidency culminates a career full of teaching, research and government merits as there have been few in the history of the University and which was recognized with the Gold Medal."

The associationof Friends was founded in 1960 by Saint Josemaría Escrivá, founder of the University, with the goalof promotethe partnershipof civil society for the developmentof the university centre. It is a group of friends with a common mission statement: to help improve the world through the initiatives promoted by the University, providing the necessary economic means to carry out research projects in all areas, to finance scholarships for Degreeand doctorate, and to construct new buildings.

The associationof Friends of the University of Navarra in figures

Since its inception,more than 18,000 Friends have visited associationand during the last academic year, financial aidhas received financial support from 1,437 Friends. Thirty-seven per cent of the aid comes from individuals and 63% from companies and foundations. During the 14 years of José María Bastero's presidency, financial aidhas reached a total of 67 million euros. During the current academic year, the Friends of the University expect to exceed 5 million euros.