The Asturian journalist, Ladislao Azcona, has taken up this morning the post of new President of the Social Council of the University of Oviedo in a ceremony co-presided over by the Rector, Vicente Gotor, and the President of the Principality of Asturias, Javier Fernández. The President of the General Assembly of the Principality of Asturias, Pedro Sanjurjo, the Regional Minister of Education and Culture, Ana Isabel González, and Oviedo's Mayor, Agustín Iglesias Caunedo, were also present in the inauguration ceremony.

Azcona appreciated the confidence placed in him by the Regional Government and the Rector to face the challenges the Social Council will meet in the future. The journalist set as his main goal "connecting the University with real life and economy, achieving a more intense, creative relationship with companies". Ladislao Azcona defended the need of the youth having a university training of quality "not only as a strategic background for development, but also as an element for equal opportunities and social justice".

The Rector, Vicente Gotor, offered the new President of the Social Council his total "institutional loyalty and collaboration" and encouraged him to work together to raise external funds "which are without a doubt the key for our future". Gotor committed to continuing with an "efficient and transparent" management which should make the audit activity of the Council easier.

For his part, the President of the Principality of Asturias, Javier Fernández, highlighted the importance of Asturias counting with a "powerful and capable University that is completely clinged to our society as a reference element". He also encouraged the new members of the Social Council to achieve a "good, healthy relationship" between the academic institution and society "because should the University and companies ignore one another, it would be a waste we could not allow".