Dancers from the Paris Opera, Ballet Nacional de España and National Dance Company celebrate IE University's Faculty Awards

Dancers from the Paris Opera, the Spanish National Ballet and the Spain’s National Dance Company played a leading role at IE University's 2021 Awards for Teaching Excellence today. In a ceremony held in the auditorium of IE Tower, IE University's new technological and sustainable headquarters in the north of Madrid, the distinguished professors with the highest ratings from students in undergraduate and graduate programs were recognized by the dancers, who performed a piece symbolizing the role teachers play in helping their students along the path to excellence. This recognition reinforces IE University's values as an innovative, sustainable institution that is sensitive to the arts and humanities.

“Just as we did last year, when we awarded teachers with a digital diploma designed by Daniel Canogar, the internationally renowned artist and a member of our academic faculty, on this occasion we have put the focus on dance on our campuses in collaboration with our Arts and Humanities Division, which works to enrich the experience of our students and bring them closer to the world of art, dance, music, history, philosophy, literature, to develop their critical thinking and show them the beauty of the humanities,” noted Isabel Sánchez, Vice Rector and Associate Dean of Adjunct and Visiting Faculty at IE University.

The dancers' performance took place at IE University's historic campus in Segovia, in the 15th century convent of Santa Cruz la Real, and at the institution's Madrid headquarters in María de Molina, where graduate students attend classes, as well as at IE Tower. The three campuses have been a source of inspiration and have allowed them to evoke the key role of teachers and the academy in the growth of students. “The dancers have reflected on the role of space and the wonderful challenge of teaching through movement. There is no better way to recognize and honor our teachers than through a universal language such as dance,” added Sánchez.

Catalina Tejero, Executive Director of the Division of Arts and Humanities at IE University commented: “We are fortunate to work at IE University, where we are continually encouraged to push our limits and where the arts are a way of understanding the world and are present in everything we do.” She added: “It has been an honor to use this language to pay tribute to our professors and it has been a  beautiful experience to explore the connections that exist on that path to excellence. The dancers know well the importance of the effort, discipline, sacrifice, and passion of their teachers in their growth and their path to perfection. This has been reflected in their performance. It has been a privilege to have their collaboration. Their technical quality, sensitivity and expression have moved us and have left their mark on our institution.”

In this edition of the awards, the distinguished professors have received a unique, personalized video-diploma for their excellent academic performance in the 2020-2021 teaching year. The students have valued indicators such as teachers’ academic and professional contribution, their capacity for innovation, motivation, the quality of the teaching materials, the tasks assigned and monitored, and students’ learning acquisition at the end of the program, among others.