The University of Malaga awarded its highest distinction to a brilliant researcher, a dedicated teacher and a tireless worker, who has immeasurably  bettered this university  She has made a profession of teaching, a trade of research, and of politics, a vocation and a reason for being.

Science and politics seem contradictory terms, but our illustrious honoree has combined these disciplines in wise harmony, making them complementary and, as Otto von Bismarck said, turning them into an art.

Dear Counselor:

My friend, Adelaida:

Today the University of Malaga settles a debt of gratitude and appreciation to one of the most important figures in the short history of the University.

Your name is now inscribed in golden letters in the history of the University of Malaga; it is the name of a teacher and researcher, but also of a manager, admired for her personal and professional career, loved and respected for her spirit and talent.

Today, we add your name to the illustrious history of our university, to those who have collaborated in the exciting adventure of building this university, and who are your equals.

Adelaida de la Calle Martín has contributed so much to improving the university that she forms not only part of the history of the University of Malaga, but also part of the history of Andalusia, as Minister of Education, and part of the history of our country, as President of the Conference of Vice- chancellors of Spanish universities

A woman who always wanted to be part of the “female quota” and to stand out for her worth alone.

A woman who believes that progress occurs when we use all the talent, all the capabilities society holds, not just half of it. That means women and men with equal rights working together in order to progress.

A woman who always thought, like Simone de Beauvoir, that "the problem of women has always been a problem for men." Perhaps that is why it has not yet been solved.

Adelaida de la Calle Martin is on the list of beneficiaries of the University of Malaga’s gold Medal for Merit, for their extraordinary service to this university, university education and the education of all Andalusians.

Times have changed a lot from the time when Concepción Arenal entered a classroom of a Spanish university for the first time, seeking to occupy her rightful place as a citizen of the world, to the present - where more than fifty percent of our students and sixty percent of graduates are women.

And after Concepción Arenal there have been other exemplary women, like Adelaida, who help us realize that equality between women and men is not just a law regulating our behaviour, but a principle of our society, and which should be ever more present in our habits and social values.

Although there is a long way to go, the awarding of this gold Medal for Merit to Adelaida is also a tribute to womankind, represented by Adelaida, the first woman to obtain such distinction, and who I’m sure will be one of many that will mark the history of this institution.

Thus, by paying homage to one of the most prominent university figures in recent years, we are also building the future and opening the door of hope to a better world - one which is more equal, more united and above all, more feminine.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Adelaida de la Calle has demonstrated her dedication to this institution for almost twelve years as Vice- chancellor – that is a quarter of the history of the University of Malaga. She is, moreover, the first woman to be elected by universal suffrage and reelected consecutively in two elections, and who has produced significant changes to the culture and organization of this University.

She has implemented and consolidated the European Higher Education Area, transforming and expanding our academic programmes. In addition, she has firmly supported research and transfer through the creation and consolidation of research centres and infrastructure, and through strategic alliances with other sectors, especially with the Technological Park of Andalusia.

Today the Technology Park is an essential part of the university, not only because some of its facilities are located on the campus, but also because the university itself forms part of its management.

The close relationship with the productive sector has been a feature of her term in office. Collaboration and cooperation with public and private institutions, companies, business associations, with all those groups who have needed, and still need university collaboration to obtain the best results; with all those who can contribute university values ​​to improve our training and research, and facilitate the employment of our graduates.

Adelaida de la Calle has established Teatinos Campus as the backbone of the city and as nerve centre of the teaching and research activities of the university. The building of new centres at the University, illustrate perfectly the way it is expanding and encouraging the growth of knowledge.

She supports a university system open to all. The impact of the University of Malaga on the city is evident, being an inseparable part of the social and cultural life of the city; a city which the University serves and which it works for.

She has cleverly managed the internationalisation of the University of Malaga, building bridges of cooperation in Asia, the Pacific, North America and Latin America, through international collaborative projects with outstanding universities and research centres, and the creation of international offices at Incheon University and Berkley University.

Adelaida de la Calle is seen as the defender, architect and driving force behind  the strategic alliance between the universities of Malaga and Seville, an innovative alliance, controversial at the time, and yet today a model of cooperation between two public universities and an example followed by politicians and citizens. The Campus of International Excellence Andalucía-Tech has shown that cooperation and partnerships are needed in order to achieve better results, to obtain more resources for research, to promote innovation and to unite universities, institutions and companies to ensure a better future. A joint project which aspires to be one of the most attractive innovation lines in Europe.

And all this, ladies and gentlemen, with a financial legacy which will ensure an economically sustainable future for this university and which again shows responsible management.

But her generosity and spirit of service also led her to chair the Public Universities of Andalusia and later the Conference of Vice-chancellors of Spanish Universities, perhaps during one of the toughest periods in university politics of this country. Adelaide stood firm in her idea that public universities need to ensure equal opportunities for all.

And that spirit has recently led her to take responsibility for educational policy in our region, also to support the rights of citizens to education, and to provide education for all. You know Adelaida, that your efforts receive our backing and we are sure you can transmit to this regional government that the commitment and the defense of public education and public universities goes beyond declarations of intent, that a policy of deeds is necessary to demonstrate that the promises given and beliefs professed are not just empty words.

But your greatest legacy has been personal. Your spirit and your talent - your defense of equal opportunities and public universities- your courage to speak out when necessary and your wisdom to keep silent when advisable.

Negotiator and fighter, a woman who did not let success go to her head, a socially committed and active defender of rights and freedom.

The history of the institutions is built on the work of those who defend and represent them with such dignity.

The gold Medal of the University of Malaga is also made with the alloy of affection, friendship and gratitude that today the university community extends to you, and I have been especially fortunate to share this adventure with you, and to have learned so much from you. I can proudly say that I have been blessed with a teacher and friend who has wisely shown me how to be responsible for and how to serve the public university.

Receive this medal as a symbol of our gratitude and proof of the admiration felt for you by this Senate and the entire university community.

We thank you for your profound loyalty to the University of Malaga and welcome you to the history of this institution which is reflected in the values ​​that you embody.

This recognition is a reward for your efforts and dedication, and for the extraordinary work you have done for the University and in defense of public education.

Thank you on behalf of the University of Malaga.