UniversidaddeCádiz

Alumnus Alexis Morante, the Faculty of Social Sciences and Communication Tuna Group, Fundación Alalá, Nuestra Señora de los Remedios Cooperative and María Rosa Durán receive this year’s awards

The University of Cádiz Social Council held the presentation ceremony for its 10th Social Engagement Awards this Thursday, recognising initiatives that strengthen collaboration between the University and society through projects with an impact on areas such as culture, education, research, innovation and social inclusion. The event, held in the courtyard of the Constitución 1812 Building on the Cádiz Campus, brought together representatives from academic, institutional, business, social and cultural sectors across the province.

The ceremony was chaired by the Rector of the University of Cádiz, Casimiro Mantell, and the President of the UCA Social Council, Fede Linares. They were joined by the Mayor of Cádiz, Bruno García; the Deputy Minister for Universities, Research and Innovation of the Regional Government of Andalusia, Lorena Garrido; the Government Subdelegate in Cádiz, Blanca Flores; the Regional Government Delegate in Cádiz, Mercedes Colombo; and the State Free Trade Zone Delegate, Fran González. The event was hosted by journalist Teodoro León Gross, who is also a member of the University’s Social Council.

In this tenth edition, the awards were presented to film director Alexis Morante, the Faculty of Social Sciences and Communication Tuna Group, Fundación Alalá, the Andalusian Cooperative Society Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, and María Rosa Durán, lead researcher of the Recaída 0 project. Each award includes a €1,000 prize and a commemorative sculpture in recognition of the recipients’ social contribution and their connection with the University of Cádiz.

During the ceremony, the Rector thanked the attending authorities and highlighted the commitment and dedication of the award recipients to society. “The University cannot be understood without its close relationship with the province and everything around it,” said Mantell, stressing that the awards represent the University community’s ongoing connection with the realities and challenges of society.

In his speech, Fede Linares underlined the importance of education and social commitment as drivers of collective transformation, drawing a parallel between Cádiz’s historical legacy and the role of the University in building a freer and more cohesive society. In this regard, he stated that “Cádiz not only breathes freedom; it also sows freedom”, linking this idea to education as a tool for individual empowerment and collective progress.

he President of the Social Council also referred to Francisco Giner de los Ríos and his time in Cádiz, highlighting how the city became the setting for one of the major educational and ethical transformations in modern Spain. Linares stated that “educating also means sowing freedom”, defending knowledge, critical thinking and equal opportunities as fundamental elements in building a fairer society.

Regarding the award recipients, both the Rector and the President of the UCA Social Council stressed that they represent “outstanding individuals and projects, built on hard work and talent, which contribute to creating a better and more cohesive society that moves forward without leaving anyone behind”.

The Mayor of Cádiz, meanwhile, emphasised that the University “is always there”, highlighting its role as a point of reference — both technically and socially — in addressing today’s challenges. Likewise, the Deputy Minister for Universities, Research and Innovation underlined the value represented by the award recipients, noting that “at a time when it is increasingly difficult to find people willing to engage, commit and become actively involved in society, this kind of dedication makes us better as a society.”

Among the award recipients is filmmaker Alexis Morante, a graduate of the University of Cádiz, whose professional career has established him as a prominent figure in the national and international audiovisual scene, with appearances at major film festivals and nominations for both the Goya Awards and the Latin Grammy Awards. The jury particularly recognised his ability to project the cultural identity of Cádiz through his film and audiovisual work.

The Faculty of Social Sciences and Communication Tuna Group at the Jerez Campus also received an award in recognition of its work promoting student integration and for its outreach and support activities for older adults and people with disabilities through music.

In the social and educational sphere, Fundación Alalá was recognised for its work in vulnerable areas of Jerez, where it develops projects aimed at promoting social inclusion and reducing school absenteeism through the use of flamenco as an educational and transformative tool.

Meanwhile, the Andalusian Cooperative Society Nuestra Señora de los Remedios was distinguished for its contribution to rural development and for its commitment to innovation through collaboration with the University of Cádiz, supporting the economic and social progress of many families linked to the province’s agricultural sector.

The final distinction was awarded to María Rosa Durán for the Recaída 0 project, a research initiative focused on the application of mathematics and artificial intelligence to advance the prevention of relapse in childhood leukaemia. The jury highlighted both the scientific impact of the project and its human and social dimension.

The ceremony concluded with a music and dance performance by young members of Fundación Alalá, followed by the traditional group photograph featuring the award recipients and attending authorities.

Over its ten editions, the Social Engagement Awards have become one of the flagship initiatives promoted by the University of Cádiz Social Council to strengthen the links between the institution and society. Through these recognitions, the University highlights the commitment of individuals, organisations and projects that contribute, from different fields, to building a more inclusive, innovative and supportive society.