La University of Salamanca has taken a significant step in its international academic projection by agreeing to grant three new doctorates HonoraryThe Faculty of Doctors has endorsed, with very broad support, the candidacies of the theologian and jurist Francis of Vitoria, from the President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella and the president of Mapfre and Alumni-USAL Antonio Huertas Mejías, three profiles that combine intellectual tradition, institutional leadership and social commitment.
The session, held in the Main Hall of the Higher Schools and presided over by the rector Juan Manuel CorchadoThe ceremony began with a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the Adamuz train accidentIn Córdoba. Following this gesture of respect, the collegiate body responsible for approving these distinctions ratified the institutional proposals, already endorsed by the Governing Council at its last meeting, thus consolidating the USAL's commitment to figures of recognized scientific, cultural and professional prestige.
A majority endorsement from the Faculty of Doctors
The event featured a high participation of PhD facultyThis reinforces the collegial nature of the decision. 177 PhDs attended the meeting in person, while another 116 chose to delegate their vote, bringing the total number of votes to nearly 300, a figure highly representative of the institution's academic body.
In the final count, all three candidacies easily surpassed the minimum of 135 votes needed to proceed. The proposal of Francis of Vitoria It was the most supported, with 263 votes in favor, 9 against and 17 abstentions, demonstrating an almost unanimous consensus around the figure of the Dominican and founder of the School of Salamanca.
In the case of Antonio Huertas MejíasThe Senate recorded 225 votes in favor, 43 against, and 21 blank votes, while the candidacy of Sergio Mattarella It received 222 yes votes, 33 no votes, and 34 blank ballots. Although support was clearly in the majority, the number of votes against and blank ballots was higher than on other occasions, highlighting a certain level of [unclear - possibly "unclear" or "unclear"] internal debate within the university community.
The institution itself has pointed out that the doctorate Honorary is highest academic distinction which can be awarded by the University of Salamanca. This recognition is reserved for individuals with an outstanding career and a significant contribution in fields such as science, culture, legal thought, business, or public life.
The rector Juan Manuel Corchado He emphasized during the session that the three candidates stood out for their excellence, international projection and consistency with values from the University of Salamanca (USAL). According to the university, these appointments reflect its global vocation and its purpose of rewarding not only intellectual brilliance, but also ethical commitment and contribution to the common good.
Francisco de Vitoria: the School of Salamanca and the germ of International Law
The recognition of Francis of Vitoria It arrives at a symbolic moment: five centuries since its incorporation into the Chair of Prima of Theology at the University of Salamanca, an event considered the starting point of the famous School of Salamanca. Born in Burgos in 1485, the Dominican friar was educated in Paris, where he obtained his licentiate and doctoral degrees, and from there he consolidated an intellectual foundation that would later transform European thought.
In the Cloister it was recalled that Vitoria is considered, in much of the doctrine, as father of modern International Law and one of the great forerunners of the theory of Human Rights. His reflections on the dignity of persons, justice in relations between peoples, and the limits of political power laid the foundations for a international society governed by legal norms and not only by force.
The professor from the Faculty of Philosophy María Martín GómezThe person in charge of defending her candidacy highlighted the cross-cutting nature of the School of Salamanca, which influenced fields as diverse as theology, law, economics, or moral philosophyHe also recalled that Vitoria is credited with pioneering contributions to economic theories such as the law of supply and demand, as well as the defense that charging interest on a loan can be legitimate when it compensates for the risk and time of the lender.
During his speech, Martín Gómez emphasized the intellectual humility Vitoria, recounting how he sometimes asked his students for more time to reflect before answering particularly complex questions. This attitude, he maintained, reveals a way of understanding teaching based on rigor, listening, and dialogue, far removed from dogmatism and hasty answers.
Vitoria's figure was described as that of a true "Hispanic SocratesHe was able to attract thousands of students to his lectures, even when his health was failing. His disciples spread his thought throughout Europe and America, helping to consolidate the international standing of the University of Salamanca in the Modern Age and forging an intellectual current that continues to be studied in European and Latin American universities today.
In this commemorative context, the University considers that the doctorate Honorary awarded posthumously to settle a historical debt with whom he raised the name of Salamanca to the highest levels of academic prestige, further strengthening the link between classical humanism and contemporary principles of human rights.
Antonio Huertas: a graduate who exemplifies the link between university and business
The second distinction lies in Antonio Huertas MejíasPresident of the Mapfre Group and the Alumni-USAL association. Born in Villanueva de la Serena (Badajoz) in 1964, he graduated in Law from the University of Salamanca in the class of 1988. Since his student years, he has maintained a active involvement in university life, participating in the creation of the student association ASPER and collaborating on radio projects and academic debate.
After his time as a student, Huertas has maintained a close relationship with the University of Salamanca (USAL). In 2012 he was appointed Honorary Alumni Member Over time, she has gone on to preside over the association, becoming one of the most visible figures in the relationship between the institution and its alumni. Her role during the University's 800th anniversary celebrations, supporting cultural and sponsorship initiatives, has been highlighted by the institution.
In the professional field, his entire career has been developed in the Mapfre GroupHe joined the company in the late 1980s. Since then, he has held positions of responsibility in various areas and countries, becoming Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the company in 2012. Under his leadership, Mapfre has consolidated its international expansion while simultaneously strengthening its social function and commitment to sustainability.
The Dean of the Faculty of Law, María Ángeles Guervós MaílloShe was in charge of presenting his candidacy. In her speech, she described Huertas as a role model for “business and human excellenceShe emphasized that her career reflects the humanistic, legal, and ethical values that the University of Salamanca strives to instill in its students. She also highlighted the scholarship and support programs for people with disabilities promoted by Mapfre, which have represented a significant investment in educational opportunities.
Guervos pointed out that Huertas “embodies the model of a committed graduate“capable of combining a high-level executive career with loyalty to her alma mater and a vocation for public service. For the University of Salamanca, her appointment confirms the importance of maintaining a strong relationship with the business community and recognizing those in the private sector who work to bridge the gap between academia and social and economic realities.”
Sergio Mattarella: humanism, Europeanism and democratic culture
The third doctorate Honorary is granted to Sergio MattarellaPresident of the Italian Republic and a prominent figure in European politics and academia. Born in Palermo in 1941, he graduated in Law from the University of La Sapienza in Rome and was a professor of Parliamentary Law at the University of Palermo until the early 1980s, developing a solid career as a jurist and specialist in Constitutional Law.
His public career began in 1983, when he was elected deputy for the Christian Democrats in the Western Sicily constituency. Over seven terms, Mattarella held various positions in the Chamber of Deputies He assumed ministerial responsibilities in reformist governments, always within the framework of Catholic social thought. In addition to his political work, he has published books and essays on his parliamentary experience and on the functioning of democratic institutions.
In 2011 it became part of Italian Constitutional CourtFrom there, he contributed to the interpretation of his country's Constitution. Four years later, he was elected the twelfth president of the Italian Republic, a position to which he has been re-elected. His term has been characterized by a prudent and conciliatory style, as well as by a persistent defense of... European humanism and international cooperation.
The Honorary Emeritus Professor of Italian Philology Vicente González MartínThe person responsible for defending his candidacy highlighted the cultural and institutional links between Italy and Spain, and in particular between the Italian Republic and the University of Salamanca. He presented Mattarella as a symbol of balance in times of democratic fragility, emphasizing his commitment to harmony between peoples and his rejection of hate speech that erodes coexistence.
González Martín recalled that the Italian president has insisted on numerous occasions that the Culture acts as the cement of democracies and that education is the most effective tool to combat indifference, inequality, and intolerance. These principles, he noted, fully align with the humanist tradition of the University of Salamanca and its pro-European vocation, hence the appropriateness of this academic recognition.
With the incorporation of Francisco de Vitoria, Antonio Huertas and Sergio Mattarella to List of honorary doctorates from the University of SalamancaThe University of Salamanca reinforces its role as a meeting point for theoretical reflection, public responsibility, and social leadership. These three names join a list that includes scientists, thinkers, institutional leaders, and prominent figures from diverse fields, demonstrating the institution's commitment to combining intellectual excellence with recognition of careers that, from Spain and across Europe, contribute to a more just, open, and inclusive society.