Sergio Sánchez, director of Aguas de Alicante, receives the 'Company-University' award from UA

Postgraduate Business Programs at the University of Alicante celebrated the closing of the 2023/2024 course last Friday night with a solemn ceremony at the UA Auditorium, highlighting the growing relevance of digitalization and customer orientation in the business field. With 226 new graduates, the total number of graduates in recent years now exceeds 2,200, consolidating these programs as benchmarks in specialized business management training.

The closing event was attended by regional and local authorities, company executives, and graduates' families. Among them were Nuria Montes, Minister of Innovation, Industry, Commerce and Tourism; and Juan Llopis, Director of Projects and Institutional Relations at the University of Alicante, who presided over the ceremony.

Students from programs such as Business Management, Human Resources Management, and newly created programs such as Advanced Programs in Management Control, Data Strategist, and Business Digitalization Management received recognition for their effort and dedication. The master's programs, designed for technicians, managers, and entrepreneurs, enhance key capabilities for companies to adapt to new technological and competitive demands in the global market.

In this fifteenth edition, the 'Company-University' award was given to Sergio Sánchez Ríos, General Director of Aguas de Alicante, in recognition of his outstanding support for business training and his commitment to sustainable development and innovation. This award is given annually to individuals or companies that have shown strong collaboration with the university in training new talents.

A moment of special emotion occurred during the event with recognition to Dr. Rafael Bernabeu, an internationally renowned gynecologist in reproductive medicine and inspirer of two university chairs, who sadly passed away a few weeks ago. Both the University of Alicante and Fundeun and the Club de las Buenas Decisiones wanted to pay tribute to him. The recognition was received by Dr. Bernabeu's daughters.

The 2023/2024 course focused especially on digitalization and customer orientation, key themes in today's business environment. Programs funded by the European Union's Next Generation funds, such as Change Agents for Business Digital Transformation, have been essential in boosting business competitiveness and preparing professionals for future challenges.

'Digitalization and efficient change management are essential for business sustainability and growth,' commented Professor José Luis Gascó, Director of the Club de las Buenas Decisiones at the University of Alicante. 'These programs train leaders who will ensure companies' evolution in an increasingly globalized and competitive context.'

Nuria Montes emphasized the importance of continuous training as a tool to face current business challenges. 'The business world is advancing rapidly, and only those companies that invest in training and digitalization will remain competitive,' she stated.

With 19 editions of its oldest postgraduate programs, the University of Alicante continues to be a benchmark in training business leaders, preparing more than 2,200 professionals who now apply their knowledge in their respective sectors.

In addition to the aforementioned authorities and numerous representatives from Alicante's business world and the Valencian Community, the event was attended by Reyes González, University Professor and Director of SIRHO Research Group; Teresa Torregrosa, Director of the Continuing Education Center; Fernando Garrido, Director EOI Mediterranean; Antonio Fernández, President of FUNDEUN; Vicente Seguí Pico, General Director of Employment, Business Development and New Economy at Alicante City Council; Lucia Gomis, Director of the General Foundation at UA: and José Luis Gascó Gascó, Director of UA's Club de las Buenas Decisiones.