International mobility students at UMA are celebrating today. This morning, the University bid farewell to those finishing their stay in Málaga as well as to local students beginning the next semester in another foreign country. The ceremony, held at the Botanical Garden, was presided over by the Vice-Rector for Internationalization, Zaida Díaz, and was attended by nearly a hundred people of various nationalities.
The event included a photography awards ceremony, recognition of the best 'buddies' (volunteers who support foreign students), interactions between international and local students with assigned mobility, and even an international food fair, making for a truly multicultural gathering at the University of Málaga.

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Zaida Díaz thanked and congratulated all participants in the various mobility programmes of the Vice-Rectorate for Internationalization, as well as the efforts of the faculties and coordinators, "who make it all possible."
She also noted that during this 2023-2024 academic year, UMA has welcomed nearly 2,000 international students, "a record number," in addition to over a thousand outgoing students.
"International mobility is an invaluable opportunity that goes beyond academic exchange, opening doors to global connections and profound learning experiences," she emphasized.

Awards and Recognitions

The day of recognitions began with the presentation of awards for the International Cooperation Photography Contest. The jury members included Paco Bautista, the photographer for UMA's Communication Service; Laura Domínguez, the Assistant Vice-Rector for Equality; Miriam Seghiri, the Assistant Vice-Rector for International Cooperation and Language Policy; and Zaida Díaz, the Vice-Rector for Internationalization.

In Category A, ‘Life in the Destination Country’, the winners were:

  • First Prize: Pablo Hidalgo for his capture of life in Colombia.
  • First Runner-Up: Jerónimo Leal for his moving photograph of Palestine.
  • Second Runner-Up: Juan José Gallardo for his depiction of Ecuador.

In Category B, ‘Volunteering Work’, the recognitions went to:

  • First Prize: Jerónimo Leal for his commitment in Palestine.
  • First Runner-Up: Irati Rengel for her humanitarian work in Colombia.
  • Second Runner-Up: Elisabet Ruz for her energetic contribution in Nicaragua.

Next, the awards for the ‘UMA With No Borders’ Photography Contest were presented:

In the ‘Abroad’ category, the winners were:

  • First Prize: Laura Ramos Petersen for her impactful piece "My Stay in Malta".
  • Second Prize: Sofía Quero Mussot for the evocative "Cyprus Border Office".
  • Third Prize: Lucía Moscoso Lobato for "Flamenco in the European Sector".

In the ‘In Málaga’ category:

  • First Prize: Antonin Delau for his charming photograph "Blooming with Laughter in UMA’s Botanical Garden".
  • Second and Third Prizes: Declared vacant due to failure to meet requirements.

Finally, the Best Buddy Awards for the first and second semesters of this academic year were presented.

The ceremony concluded with a group photo, followed by a gathering between international and local students and a lively international food fair. Around 50 international students offered traditional dishes from their countries, while UMA students shared Spanish specialities.

This farewell event is one of the many cultural activities organized by the Vice-Rectorate for Internationalization at UMA throughout the year to foster the integration of international students into the university community. These activities aim to facilitate adaptation, promote cultural exchange, and enrich the academic and social life of the entire university community.