The Rector of the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), José E. Capilla, officially opened the 31st Civil and Environmental Engineering Week (SICMA 2025) today, a well-established event that strengthens the connection between academic training and the professional reality of one of society’s most strategic sectors.

In his speech, the Rector congratulated the School of Civil Engineering on organizing this new edition, recalling that he has attended many of them throughout his career, including the very first, when he was part of the School’s management team. He praised the continuity of an initiative that he considers fundamental in reinforcing the ties between the university, students, and the professional world.

Capilla began by extending a warm welcome to Francisco Pérez Puche, who delivered the opening lecture entitled “Valencia and its Engineers”, and thanked him for his longstanding relationship with the university and his intellectual contribution. The journalist offered a historical and critical reflection on the role of engineering in the transformation of Valencia, particularly in response to events such as the 2024 DANA storm or the devastating flood of the 1950s. He highlighted key figures like Lucio del Valle and emphasized the public value of both journalism and engineering.

The Rector used the occasion to underscore the urgent need to rethink infrastructure and territorial planning in the face of climate change, which is increasing the frequency of extreme weather events. “As a society, we must learn in order to do things better,” he stated.

He also recognized the alumni celebrating 25 years since graduating from the School, as well as the winners of the photography contest and the Torrescámara Innovation Challenge. He gave special thanks to Torrescámara and other partner companies, noting that the UPV currently has the highest number of active corporate chairs and classrooms in Spain—108 in total.

Capilla also highlighted the School’s strong commitment to dual education and the redesign of civil engineering degrees, announcing that this will be the first School of Civil Engineering in Spain to offer a dual-education pathway.

In closing, he extended his support to the School’s new director, Ignacio Andrés, with a view to continued collaboration. “This School is one of the founding pillars of our university, and its reputation across Spain and the world is immense thanks to those who built it and those who continue to carry it forward,” he concluded.