That special person

‘The real value of a person is measured by what they give to others.’ This paraphrase of the thinking of the Austrian Viktor Frankl serves to gauge the greatness of a woman who is not accustomed to being in the spotlight yet is always there when help is needed.

That is why, in a world where awards are often given after passing through the till or prioritising marketing and/or self-interest, well-deserved awards are especially welcome. And this is undoubtedly one of those that does justice.

Mª Amparo Quilis Nadal - known to almost the entire university as Amparo Quilis - has been recognised by the Plataforma del Voluntariat de la Comunitat Valenciana (Valencian Community Volunteer Platform) with the 2025 Solidarity Personality Award, which she collected with the childlike enthusiasm last Wednesday in the Alfons El Magnànim Hall of the La Beneficencia Cultural Centre.

‘I have always treated others as I would like to be treated myself’

Born in Valencia, in the Ruzafa neighbourhood - at home, as was customary in the past’ - on 25 November 1966, Amparo grew up "in a very family-oriented environment, where we celebrated birthdays together. Our grandparents played a fundamental role in our lives. We are four siblings and have always supported each other. Additionally, my parents had a profound influence. They really dislike arguments and always reminded us of the value of family... although the occasional slipper did come flying, too”, she recalls with her usual cheerfulness.

Affected from an early age by a hearing disability that made her schooling difficult at a time ‘when that wasn't taken into account’, Amparo soon developed a special ability to absorb information from her surroundings and pick up on details thanks to body language and other non-verbal elements. ‘Nothing escapes me,’ boasts the current Head of Volunteering at the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), who always keeps one maxim as her top priority: ‘I have always treated others as I would like to be treated myself.’

A vocation resulting from ‘small steps that have led me to the perfect place’

Where did her vocation come from? ‘I think it's the result of small steps I've taken throughout my life, which have ultimately led me to the perfect place,’ she explains. "For me, empathy is not just a word, but a way of living. I have always felt the need to put myself in other people's shoes, to listen and understand. Even when a person does not express themselves with words, ‘ she adds.

’It is this sensitivity that has led me to get involved in volunteer work, because I firmly believe that no one should feel alone when facing difficulties. ‘

’Right now, in the world of volunteering, more things are being done right than wrong"

Grateful to her family – ‘who support me and encourage me to go ahead with all my proposals’ – to the UPV – ‘for continuing to trust me after 15 years’ – and to the UPV volunteering team – ‘without them, it would not be possible to go so far’ – Amparo recognises that this award means a lot to her: "I did not expect it, but I am deeply happy. It is comforting to know that what I am doing is on the right track, it inspires me and makes me even more committed to continuing my work. ‘

Furthermore, she does so in the field of volunteering, where the award winner believes that ’at the moment, more things are being done right than wrong. Many interesting networks and synergies are being created, and the value of volunteers is increasingly recognised. ‘However, there is still room for improvement. ’The downside, ‘ she points out, ’is that in some sectors, volunteering is still seen as cheap labour."

Ángela García, Pilar Santamarina, José Carlos Ayats, Rosa Puchades and Salomé Cuesta

In the journey that has led her to become one of the most beloved people at the UPV, Amparo is especially grateful to several people, whom she mentions and remembers fondly. After working as a shop assistant in her early days and as an administrative assistant in a jewellery warehouse in the centre of Valencia - at which time she also dabbled in jewellery design - she sat for the official exam to enter the Universitat Politècnica de València.

"My first job was at the School of Civil Engineering, as a service assistant, and I have very fond memories of that time, when my children—Celia, Jaume and Guillem—were born. After sitting the exams again, I joined the Art Fund, with Ángela García... It was a real pleasure, because of her trust in me and my affinity with the position, as I was studying Fine Arts at that time, ‘says Amparo.

’The direct relationship in the Rector's Office with Pilar Santamarina, who was in charge of the Art Fund, brought us closer together, and she was the one who saw my more social side. From then on, we initiated awareness campaigns. Her trust in me made me grow and help even more with the activities of the Vice-Rectorate, for which I completed a Master's Degree in Corporate Social Responsibility, ‘she continues.

’Later, together with José Carlos Ayats, we continued growing in this area. From that stage, I would highlight his unconditional support and the trust he placed in me and in the projects I proposed, which made it a very positive and enriching experience, ‘he adds.

’As the term progressed, I moved to the Vice-Rectorate for Social Responsibility and Cooperation, with Rosa Puchades, who succeeded in ensuring that social action and volunteering were recognised as a service. That was when the Volunteer Pool was created. I spent eight very intense years there, but with a great deal of gratitude and enthusiasm, ‘she explains, before pointing out that she currently works with Salomé Cuesta, ’who trusted me from the outset and with whom we continue to grow in all areas."

‘I have put my heart into every step, always trying to be there for everyone and with everyone’

‘Throughout my personal and professional journey, I have put my heart into every step, always trying to be there for everyone and with everyone,’ says Amparo. ‘I have learned to balance my home life, being a mother to a large family, studying and working without giving up on continuing to grow, always trying to go one more step further, learning from each experience and moving forward with enthusiasm,’ concludes a key figure in the extraordinary reaction of the UPV staff to the tragedy of 29 October, a woman who multiplies herself to reach everyone, offer solutions and implement them, always with a smile, which has earned her the affection of an institution that is undoubtedly proud to have her on its team.