Humanities' Vital Role in the Digital Age: Pilar Alegría at the Inauguration of José Antonio Beltrán

Pilar Alegría, the Minister of Education, Vocational Training and Sports, affirmed on Friday the importance of humanities in the face of digitalization. She stated that the "cruda cara" (raw face) of new technologies demonstrates the need to continue training in humanities. Her remarks were made at the inauguration of José Antonio Beltrán as the new dean of the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters of the University of Zaragoza. Beltrán previously served as director general de Universidades (director-general of Universities) from 2015 to 2019.

Alegría recalled her first official visit to the Faculty's renovation works six years prior, emphasizing that the renovations put humanities "en el lugar que merecía" (in the place it deserved). She views these disciplines as crucial for interpreting the present and past, calling the faculties "una escuela de pensamiento crítico y de creatividad" (a school of critical thinking and creativity).

She noted that the 2,700 students of the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters will become teachers and will be responsible for teaching their students to interpret "con criterio propio" (with their own criteria) the world around them. Education, according to Alegría, is not just "transferir conocimiento" (transferring knowledge), but "encender la mente" (igniting the mind), a fire kindled by the humanities.

Alegría congratulated Beltrán, highlighting his qualities as "un trabajador infatigable y una persona muy talentosa" (an indefatigable worker and a very talented person). Beltrán, a professor of Latin Philology since 1998, focuses his research on Latin Linguistics, Humanism and Classical Tradition, and the figure of Marco Valerio Marcial.

Claudia Pérez Forniés, the Minister of Employment, Science and Universities, conveyed the Aragonese Government's "máximo apoyo" (maximum support) and "lealtad institucional" (institutional loyalty) to the University of Zaragoza. José Antonio Mayoral, the acting rector of the University of Zaragoza, stated that the "superespecialización" (super-specialization) of the late 20th century has ended, giving way to a more complete and transversal vision, where humanities are "esenciales" (essential).

Beltrán accepted his new position with "emoción" (emotion) and "gratitud" (gratitude), remembering the Faculty's renovation as a key project during his time as director general de Universidades. He aims to make the Faculty a leading humanities center in the Ebro valley, attracting students from different latitudes and retaining local talent. He advocated for double degrees, enhanced master's and doctoral programs, micro-credentials, and a plan for internationalization.

Beltrán rejected the notion that students of this faculty have more difficulty finding work. He stated, "Si la economía va bien, no hay una mala inserción laboral de nuestros titulados y, si la economía va mal, va mal para todos" (If the economy is doing well, there is no poor job placement for our graduates, and if the economy is doing poorly, it is bad for everyone). He also claimed the same value for humanistic reasoning as for mathematical or scientific analysis.

Elena Barlés, Beltrán's predecessor, recalled the challenges of adapting to pandemic measures, the energy crisis, and the building's double move due to renovations. The event featured a performance by singer and musician Pilar Almalé, who performed Sephardic traditional pieces and a traditional song from Salento in Apulia, Italy.