>> The president of the Government, Marga Prohens, participates in the investiture ceremony of the rector and his rector’s team, held at the Bar Association of the Balearic Islands
>>The new rector advocates for a university committed to equal opportunity, access to higher education, and a scholarship system that will receive over 9 million euros in funding.
>>The president of the Governing Council, Diego González, stated: “Today we take a decisive step toward building a university created to offer new opportunities to our young people, foster research, and contribute to the progress of our society.”
>> The President of the Government of the Balearic Islands, Marga Prohens: “Higher education is fundamental to the future of the Balearic Islands. We need universities capable of responding to the challenges of our region and training highly qualified professionals.”
Dr. Pere Riutord Sbert took office this Wednesday as the first rector of the Universitat de Mallorca (UMAC-ADEMA) during an academic ceremony held at the headquarters of the Balearic Islands Bar Association in Palma, with the participation of the President of the Government of the Balearic Islands, Marga Prohens, and the President of the institution’s Governing Council, Diego González Carrasco.
The inauguration marks a new step in the institutional development of the Universitat de Mallorca—an initiative promoted by ADEMA and recognized under Law 2/2026 of April 27, which establishes the legal framework for its academic and institutional development.
In his inaugural address, delivered before academic and institutional authorities, representatives of civil society, members of the university community, and family members, Riutord identified university education, scientific research, innovation, and knowledge transfer as key pillars of his academic project, with the aim of contributing to the scientific, cultural, social, and economic development of the Balearic Islands.
“I accept the honor of becoming the first rector of the University of Mallorca, with a commitment to help build an enduring university—one that serves our society and meets the expectations of future generations,” he stated.
The rector highlighted the institution’s connection to the reality of the island, its dedication to expanding higher education opportunities, and its European and international outlook.
“Our university aims to ensure that no young person’s educational opportunities are diminished by the place where they were born or reside,” he stated. In this vein, he defined the institution’s mission as being “local in its commitment, Balearic in its responsibility, Mediterranean in its identity, European in its outlook, and international in its relations.”
For his part, the president of the Governing Council of the University of Mallorca, Diego González, welcomed the inauguration of Pere Riutord as the institution’s first rector, noting that it marks “a very important day for our university and for all of us who have worked for years to make this project a reality.”
González has extended his congratulations to the new rector and his team, wishing them every success in this new phase. “Today, we take a decisive step toward building a university founded with the mission of offering new opportunities to our young people, fostering research, and contributing to the progress of our society,” he noted.
Meanwhile, the President of the Government of the Balearic Islands, Marga Prohens, has joined in congratulating the new rector and his team, highlighting the importance of collaboration between institutions and society to strengthen the islands’ university system. “Higher education is fundamental to the future of the Balearic Islands. We need universities capable of responding to the challenges of our region, training highly qualified professionals, and forging stronger ties between the academic world, the business sector, and society. The University of Mallorca has the opportunity to contribute to these goals through rigor, quality, and a commitment to our community,” she emphasized.
Research, innovation, and knowledge transfer Furthermore, Dr. Riutord has championed collaboration across disciplines and fields of knowledge, with projects that connect the health sciences, art, architecture, engineering, technology, and the social sciences.
Furthermore, Dr. Riutord has championed collaboration across disciplines and fields of knowledge, with projects that connect the health sciences, art, architecture, engineering, technology, and the social sciences.
Research featured prominently in his remarks. The rector emphasized the importance of combining teaching activities with the generation of knowledge and its transfer to society. “We do not want to limit ourselves to transmitting the knowledge of the past; we aspire to question it, expand upon it, and help generate the knowledge of the future,” he stated. Furthermore, he explained that the university aims to promote research with outcomes that reach hospitals, businesses, and other sectors of society—contributing to the strengthening of the productive fabric, the attraction of talent, and the creation of professional opportunities.
Furthermore, it has addressed the role of artificial intelligence, robotics, simulation, virtual and augmented reality, haptic technology, digital fabrication, and big data analytics in the transformation of teaching, research, and professional practice. In this context, it has proposed further strengthening the integration of new technologies into classrooms, laboratories, and research projects, alongside training that enables an understanding of their foundations, possibilities, and limitations, as well as their ethical and social implications.
The rector has also highlighted the importance of collaborating with the productive sector and various areas within the public and private sectors to foster practical training for students, in accordance with the relevant agreements and authorizations.
Students, at the heart of the university project
Riutord has placed students at the heart of the academic project at the Universitat de Mallorca and has proposed an educational approach geared toward the development of scientific, professional, and human capabilities.
Regarding access to university studies, it was noted that Law 2/2026 mandates that at least 5% of an institution’s total annual revenue be allocated to scholarships and study grants. In this regard, it was stated that the budget earmarked for this purpose will exceed 9 million euros. “A university must be demanding—because knowledge requires effort—but it must also be accessible, as talent can be found anywhere and in any social circumstance,” it was emphasized.
Furthermore, he has highlighted the challenges stemming from insularity, travel requirements, and personal or family circumstances—factors that he believes must be addressed to facilitate access to higher education.
Autonomy, cooperation, and commitment to the territory
The new rector has championed university autonomy as a guarantee of freedom in teaching, research, and thought, within a framework of institutional respect, equal opportunity, and academic quality. Regarding the university system, he has expressed the view that the coexistence of public and private universities is an aspect of its pluralism and represents an opportunity to expand education, research, and cooperation among institutions.
Furthermore, it has reaffirmed the commitment of the Universitat de Mallorca to maintain a relationship of loyalty and transparency with public authorities, fulfill its institutional obligations, undergo evaluation procedures, and be accountable for its activities. In the cultural and linguistic sphere, it has highlighted the recognition of both Catalan and Spanish as official languages of the institution, as well as its commitment to openness and international cooperation.
Formation of the initial leadership team
The ceremony included the inauguration of Dr. Pilar Tomás Gil as Secretary General and Vice-Rector for Degree Programs and Academic Organization, as well as that of the other members of the vice-rectoral team.
The university leadership team consists of Carlos López Roig, Vice-Rector for Quality and Services; Amparo Sard Valor, Vice-Rector for Culture; Ángel Arturo López González, Vice-Rector for Research; Carla Busquets Cortés, Vice-Rector for Health; Guillem Aloy Bibiloni, Vice-Rector for Strategic Programs and Campus; Carles Francesc Baeza Server, Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Internationalization; Marta González Rivas, Vice-Rector for Innovation and Digital Transformation; and Cheska Díaz Carrillo, Vice-Rector for Communication and Institutional Relations.
During the ceremony, the President of the Government, Marga Prohens, took part in the presentation of academic medals, while the President of the Governing Council, Diego González, handed the rectoral staff to Pere Riutord.
In the final part of his speech, Riutord acknowledged the track record of ADEMA as a promoting institution, as well as the involvement of Diego González Carrasco and Gabriel González; he also expressed appreciation for the collaboration of public authorities, professors, researchers, professionals, and various entities that have contributed to the university project.
The rector concluded his remarks by calling for a shared endeavor and highlighting the principles that, as he explained, should guide the institution: knowledge, freedom, excellence, research, cooperation, and a commitment to people.
The ceremony featured an academic procession led by the rector and members of the rectoral team of the University of Mallorca, following the ceremonial protocol customary for formal university events.
The event was attended by representatives from the Government of the Balearic Islands, the Council of Mallorca, the municipal governments of Palma, Inca, and Felanitx, and other public institutions, as well as academic authorities and representatives from the healthcare, business, cultural, and social sectors of the Balearic Islands, alongside professors, researchers, and family members.