The opening ceremony for the University of Oviedo's academic year 2020-21 will be held at midday on Wednesday 9 September in the Library of its Historic Building in Oviedo, presided over by the university's rector, Santiago García Granda. The programme is to include the presentation of the annual report for last year by the university's secretary general, Eva María Cordero; the inaugural lecture by Mario Díaz Fernández, professor of chemical engineering, under the title "Hell, Heaven and Process Engineering"; the rector's address; and an address by the president of the government of the Principality of Asturias, Adrián Barbón. The university's PhD holders, wearing academic attire, will assemble at 11.15am in the Gown Room of the Historic Building, and form a retinue at 11.45.

This year, due to restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 health crisis, capacity in the library is restricted and face masks must be worn throughout the entire event. 

The university's academic year 2020-21 will commence on Thursday 10 September.

At 10am on the 9th, Father Jorge Juan Fernández Sangrador will conduct Mass in the Chapel of the Historic Building.