One of the most important dates on our calendar is approaching: the AmicsUAB Awards Gala 2025, which will take place on Thusday, November 20, at 7 p.m. at the Casa de Convalescència of the Hospital Sant Pau in Barcelona, as it does every year.
This event recognizes individuals and organizations that have distinguished themselves through their career, commitment, and contributions to the university and to society.
As tradition dictates, the following awards will be presented: the Amic dels Amics Award, the Collective Award, the Friends of the Libraries Award, and the Massana Award, which celebrates the connection between art and the university in every edition.
The ceremony will be presided over by Susanna Baqué, President of AmicsUAB; Javier Lafuente, Rector of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona; and Tània Nadal, President of the UAB Social Council.
The Amic dels Amics Award of this edition will honor four outstanding figures who, through their work in different fields, have made exemplary contributions to the development of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and its social impact.
Posthumously, Dr. Manuel Cachón Cadenas, Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Law (1996–1998), will be recognized as a key figure in the construction and consolidation of the legal field at the UAB. His academic and institutional career, marked by rigorous research and a strong commitment to teaching, left a profound mark on both the university and Catalan legal scholarship.
Dr. Immaculada Vilardell Riera, who holds a degree and a PhD in Economics and Business Studies from the Autonomous University of Barcelona, has developed an extensive teaching and researach career in the fields of accounting and public administration management. She has also devoted more than two decades to university leadership, including eleven years in the UAB Rector's Office as the Rector's Delegate and Vice-Rector for Economy. Her dedication has contributed decisively to strengthening the University's institutional foundations, shaping strategic plans, and promoting academic excellence.
The award will also be presented to Josep Maria Ganyet i Cirera, computer engineer, professor and science communicator, and UAB graduate in Artificial Intelligence. Ganyet is a key figure in understanding the digital transformation of contemporary society. With a critical, humanist and technological approach, he combines academic activity with public reflection on the ethical and social challenges of the digital world.
Finally, Dr. Maria Jesús Espuny Tomàs will be recognized for her exemplary career in teaching, research, and university management. A specialist in Labor Relations and Legal History, she has served as Vice Dean, Degree Program Coordinator, and Director of the Women and Rights Center. She currently serves as the UAB Ombudsperson, where she defends the rights of the university community with independence and sensitivity. Her lifelong commitment to equality and social justice is a defining feature of her career.
The Collective Award will be presented to the European Documentation Center of the UAB (CDE) in recognition of its nearly four decades of work disseminating, researching, and promoting knowledge about the European Union. The CDE has been a key player in fostering a more informed and critical citizenry and in promoting democratic and social values across Europe.
The Friends of the Libraries Award, granted by the UAB Library Service, will go to Dr. Daniel Rico Camps, Associate Professor and Director of the Department of Art and Musicology, a specialist in medieval art and heritage theory. The award recognizes his outstanding career in preserving and promoting cultural heritage, as well as his close collaboration with the UAB library system.
For the second consecutive year, the Massana Award, which highlights social engagement through art, will also be presented. The selected artist and work for this edition will be announced soon.
The evening will conclude with a performance by the UAB Chamber Choir, followed by a light reception—a moment to share, celebrate, and enjoy the university community. The catering will be provided by BonCor, an organization committed to the social and labor inclusion of people at risk of social exclusion. This collaboration reflects our ongoing commitment to diversity and social causes.
The event is in-person with limited capacity. Registration and confirmation of attendance are required ON THIS LINK
