Iron defense of the values of the university before the possible rise of the extreme right in the Spanish political scene that reflect the polls for the general elections of 23-J. The rector of the University of Barcelona (UB), Joan Guàrdia, expressed himself clearly and even forcefully in this regard during his speech at the University Senate of the UB, in which he warned of the "dark" times that can reach and has asked the students, and the university community in general, to remain firm in the preservation of values such as "rigor" or "science" in the face of "uncertainty".
It is not usual for a rector to deliver a speech with a political content, but the current context has led Guàrdia to proclaim "the defense of university values" which, "now, as always, are threatened" by "those political agents who draw scenarios of recoil and darkness".
Without explicitly mentioning the extreme right, everything has been understood by Guàrdia, especially when describing these positions as those "that want to clearly and forcefully lay out the bases on which we have built a reality that welcomes us all" .
Guàrdia has asked the entire university community to exercise responsibility: "The students, the PAS and the teaching staff of the UB have the obligation to preserve indisputable university values". "Rigor and science and knowledge is the flag, it is the vaccine, which allows all of us to navigate in the face of uncertainty," he added.
The rector also stressed that the University of Barcelona cannot stand in profile in the face of current events: "Being a university, being a university, is not just a degree: it is a commitment that must be exercised". Thus, Guàrdia has related this commitment to the defense of knowledge, rigor and conviction. In the same way, he has claimed the fight against arbitrariness, imposition and violence.
