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Camilo José Cela University (UCJC) held the solemn investiture ceremony for Jaime Olmedo as the new Rector Magnificus at the Almagro Campus, with the presence of distinguished members of the academic faculty, authorities, and UCJC students. The event was conducted with simplicity, prioritizing the continuity of academic activities across all UCJC campuses. At the beginning of the ceremony, a minute of silence was observed in memory of the victims and the consequences of the storm affecting various areas of eastern Spain.
Nieves Segovia, President of SEK Education Group, recalled that this year Camilo José Cela University celebrates its 25th anniversary, an occasion that coincides with the investiture of the new rector. She stated that “this double milestone marks the continuity of our educational mission and the renewal of our commitment to the values that have guided us since our founding: service, excellence, freedom, and the pursuit of excellence in the education of ethical and engaged citizens.”
She also dedicated a few words to Jaime Olmedo, describing him as “above all, a man of integrity and great humility” and emphasizing that “in academic tradition, the rector is the guardian of truth and virtue—qualities that take on even greater significance in the era of artificial intelligence.”
Carmen Iglesias, Director of the Royal Academy of History, delivered the laudatio, highlighting Olmedo’s academic achievements, his contributions to the Royal Academy of History, and his impact on the digitization of cultural heritage. “After working with Jaime day after day at the RAH for 22 consecutive years, reviewing a CV spanning over 50 pages filled with his impressive education, one can clearly see his exceptional and profound intellectual capabilities,” she remarked. She concluded by quoting Albert Camus in his posthumous book The First Man, stating, “There are people who justify the world, who help us live simply by their presence. And Jaime is one of them.”
The ceremony featured emblematic moments, including the presentation of the rectoral biretta, staff, and medal to the new rector by President Nieves Segovia. Also participating in the ceremony were Ana Sánchez, a student of the Degree in Audiovisual Communication and New Media, representing the student body, and Professor Max Römer, representing the faculty of Camilo José Cela University.
Commitment to University Excellence
During the ceremony, the new rector emphasized the pillars that will guide his tenure, highlighting the combination of advanced technology with a comprehensive and humanistic education. Olmedo expressed his pride, as a philologist, in assuming the position of rector at a university that bears the name of Camilo José Cela.
In his address, he reflected on what a university should and should not be today, stating that “a university is much more than a degree-granting institution; it is an establishment dedicated to the pursuit of truth and the cultivation of the human being,” and that “it must continue to nourish and support not only those currently in its classrooms but also those who were once part of them.”
He also referred to the role of university culture, emphasizing that “it must strive to be the best space for the best people. Let us make the university a place of excellence, a balance between intelligence and kindness.”
[Read the full speech of Rector Jaime Olmedo here]
The event concluded with the performance of Gaudeamus Igitur, a symbol of the university spirit. The ceremony, broadcast live for the university community, was an opportunity to reaffirm UCJC’s commitment to the future of its students and its educational mission.
