The program recognizes excellence among faculty and student mentors, as well as best practices in student support. From the Gandia Campus, the following individuals have been recognized for their work in guiding and supporting students: student mentor Mariola Mulas Megias and faculty mentor Juan Manuel Sanchis Rico.
3,000 student tutors and 1,000 teachers are part of the Comprehensive Student Support Program (PIAE+UPV), over the course of its six-year history. A sense of satisfaction with the successful mentoring efforts was evident at the UPV PIAE+ Recognition Ceremony. Awards were presented to outstanding student mentors, outstanding faculty mentors, those responsible for best practices in mentoring, and outgoing program leaders.
The event, held in the Aula Magna of the Higher Technical School of Building Engineering, was a heartwarming occasion, and a lollipop shaped like this was waiting for attendees in their seats.
The Comprehensive Student Support Program (PIAE+) is one of the UPV’s strategic initiatives designed to ensure that no student goes through their university experience alone. The program’s activities range from orientation and guidance to employability, psychological support, innovation, diversity, and specialized support.
Awards
The best practices in academic advising that have been recognized for being innovative initiatives with a significant impact on academic advising are, at the undergraduate level: the Academic Advising Program for Students with a Pending Final Degree Project, led by Professor Esther Guijarro. At the master’s level: CPI Tour Experience, led by Professor Juan Vicente Capella; and at the doctoral level: Support Program for Doctoral Students, led by Professor Roberto del Teso.
The event also recognized Andrés Lapuebla Ferri of the Higher Technical School of Industrial Engineering, Eva Pérez Marín of the School of Fine Arts, and Eliseo Jorge Marzal Calatayud of the Higher Technical School of Computer Engineering for their help in consolidating the PIAE+ program. These three individuals are concluding their tenure as program directors at their respective institutions.
Excellence
Teachers and student mentors who have distinguished themselves through their guidance, approachability, and support for students have also been recognized:
Higher Technical School of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering: Saray Zomeño Rodrigo and Carmen Virginia Palau Estevan; Higher Technical School of Architecture: Paula Toba Agulló and Mercedes López Santiago; Higher Technical School of Civil Engineering: Celia Hernández Coloma and María Rosa Arroyo López, Higher Technical School of Industrial Engineering: Rubén Cárdenas Gómez and Susana Encinas Perea, Faculty of Fine Arts: Eva Martínez Lapieza and Vanesa Valero Hoyo, Higher Technical School of Computer Engineering: Valentina Lagattolla and Juan Luis Posadas Yagüe, Higher Technical School of Telecommunications Engineering: Paula García Martínez and Francisco Chicharro López, Higher Technical School of Geodesy, Cartography, and Topography: Fabio Regolf Ariño and Ángel Antonio Balaguer Beser, Alcoy Higher Polytechnic School: Joan Sánchez Barberá and Rosa Francisca Vercher Pérez, Gandia Higher Polytechnic School: Mariola Mulas Megias and Juan Manuel Sanchis Rico, School of Business Administration and Management: Yerai Arozamena De María and Carlos García Gallego, Higher Technical School of Aerospace Engineering and Industrial Design: Mikel Minguet García and Esther Sanabria Codesar; and Higher Technical School of Building Engineering: Iván Ogorodnyk Yakovenko and María Isabel Giner García.
Outstanding Recognition for Excellence in Master’s Studies: María Rodilla Lozano and Alejandro Mañas García; and Outstanding Recognition for Excellence in Doctoral Studies: Moloudosadat Alavinejad and Roberto Del Teso March.
Marina Alonso, director of the Academic Excellence Division, highlighted the importance of this program, calling it “the best university support program,” and announced that details about PIAE+ activities and faculty advisors will be posted on the Mi UPV app next academic year.
The program falls under the purview of two vice-rectorates: the Vice-Rectorate for Students and Entrepreneurship and the Vice-Rectorate for Planning, Academic Affairs, Quality, and Accreditation. The vice-rector of the latter, José Pedro García, emphasized the importance of “listening to and addressing the needs of the student body.”
The regional secretary for universities, Esther Gómez, was one of the key figures behind the launch of the PIAE+ during her time as vice rector of the Polytechnic University of Valencia, and she has emphasized the importance of “integrating this program into the quality of degree programs.”
“People helping people. And they are the ones who give meaning to the university,” said José Capilla, rector of the Polytechnic University of Valencia, who closed the event.