The UPC awards an honorary doctorate to Dr. Joan Manuel del Pozo

The Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC) has awarded an honorary doctorate to Dr. Joan Manuel del Pozo, president of the Catalan Education Council and professor emeritus at the University of Girona, in a solemn ceremony held in Barcelona. The ceremony followed standard academic protocol, with the laudatory address delivered by Professor Ulises Cortés and remarks by the rector, Francesc Torres. The institution wished to recognize Del Pozo’s intellectual and public career, highlighting his contributions to philosophical thought, education, and political life.

In his acceptance speech, Dr. del Pozo emphasized the importance of understanding education as a shared responsibility that transcends the school and extends to the social environment. Along these lines, he championed the concept of “educating cities,” noting that learning is not limited to the formal sphere but also involves families, neighborhoods, and the entire community. The new honorary doctor argued that this approach is key to forming critical and committed people, and linked it to his own pedagogical and political career, highlighting the transformative role of education in contemporary society.

Dr. Joan Manuel del Pozo has maintained close ties with the Educating Cities movement: he chaired the scientific committee of the 18th International Congress in Granollers, collaborated extensively with the IAEC, and participated as an expert in updating the Charter of Educating Cities.