Flags from Brazil, China, Peru, Italy, France, Egypt, Portugal, the USA, Argentina, Mexico, Bolivia, Ukraine, Panama, Russia, Morocco and the United Kingdom, among many others, were waved this Friday at the Besoccer La Condomina Stadium, where the Universidad Católica de Murcia welcomed its international students from 135 different nationalities who have commenced their studies at the Murcia and Cartagena campuses. 

Multiculturalism 

María Dolores García Mascarell, UCAM President, welcomed them, accompanied by Pablo Blesa, Vice-Rector of International Relations of the University; José Fernandez, Vicar of the Diocese of Cartagena; directors and academic authorities.  

The UCAM president addressed the students with some moving words: ‘I want there to be an indelible link between you and the University; to really leave a mark on you, just as you are going to leave a mark on us’. Pablo Blesa, Vice-Rector of International Relations, recalled that the institution has a community of thousands of international students, thanks to ‘the drive set in motion by the founder of the University, José Luis Mendoza’. For his part, José Fernández affectionately addressed the young people in up to three languages.

‘I want there to be an indelible link between you and the University’

The excellent quality of education and personal attention of the UCAM is highly regarded all over the world. This has turned UCAM into an international pole of attraction for undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD training. This in turn means the generation of wealth and tourist promotion for the Region of Murcia.

Live make-up 

One of the most remarkable moments of the day was provided by the Tiktoker and make-up expert, Marcela Peraz. She is a UCAM Marketing graduate and is currently a student of the Master's Degree in Marketing and Communication and has 3 million followers on TikTok and over 268,000 on Instagram. The young Salvadoran, who created and wore stunning make-up for the occasion, gave an emotional speech in Spanish and English.

 Salvadoran tiktoker and UCAM student Marcela Peraz completes her stunning body-paint make-up with the president's signature. 

5 Stars in internationalisation 

UCAM continues to show its leading position in terms of the internationalisation of its campuses, as has been acknowledged by various world rankings. For instance, the prestigious company specialising in the analysis of higher education institutions worldwide, Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), has awarded UCAM 5 Stars for, among other aspects, its solid international reputation. Likewise, Times Higher Education, in its World University Ranking, highlights UCAM for its increase in foreign students and teaching staff, placing it above the world average in international outlook.