The Felipe Moreno-Nebrija Higher Education Centre celebrated the closing of its LXI academic year at the Pati d’Homes de la Misericòrdia in Palma, with the attendance of the President of the Government, Marga Prohens.
The Mallorcan chef Maca de Castro, founder of the DCastro Group, became the main protagonist of the closing ceremony of the 2025-2026 course at the Felipe Moreno-Nebrija Higher Education Centre. She received the Golden Shield, the highest distinction awarded by the centre, in a ceremony held last Friday, July 3, at the Pati d’Homes de la Misericòrdia in Palma.
The event, which began at 19:00 hours, was presided over by the President of the Government of the Balearic Islands, Marga Prohens, and included representatives from the Confederation of Educational Centres of the Balearic Islands (CECEIB), with its president Ventura Blach Amengual and vice president Marcelino Pradas Tur.
Recognition of Professional and Academic Excellence
The ceremony started with speeches from representatives of the faculty and students, which added an emotional tone to the evening. The most anticipated moment arrived with the presentation of the traditional Shields of CES Felipe Moreno-Nebrija 2026, which the centre awards each year to recognise outstanding professional trajectories and academic excellence.
The Golden Shield was awarded to Maca de Castro, chef and entrepreneur, for her extraordinary professional trajectory, her gastronomic and business leadership, and for inspiring new generations through excellence, innovation, and commitment to the Balearic Islands. The chef, who runs several restaurants on the island, is a reference for Mallorcan cuisine and has taken the island's name to the highest levels.
The Silver Shield was awarded to Dr. Luciana Melo, in recognition of her distinguished academic, research, and teaching career. Meanwhile, the Bronze Shields were presented to the students with the best academic performance of the 2025-2026 course, as a reward for their effort, perseverance, and excellence.
An Event with Institutional Significance and Local Projection
The presence of the President of the Government, Marga Prohens, provided top-level institutional support to the event. It is not common for the highest regional authority to attend the closing of a university course, which underscores the importance that the Balearic government places on higher education in the islands.
For the residents of Palma, this ceremony is not only an academic milestone but also a demonstration that the city is committed to education and local talent. The CES Felipe Moreno-Nebrija, affiliated with Nebrija University, trains future professionals in various fields, and events like this reinforce its ties with the social and business fabric of Mallorca.
The evening concluded with a cocktail at the same Pati d’Homes, where attendees and awardees could share impressions. Chef Maca de Castro, visibly moved, expressed her gratitude for the recognition and encouraged students to pursue their dreams with passion and dedication.
With this event, the CES Felipe Moreno-Nebrija closes another course and looks forward to the next, intending to continue training the leaders of tomorrow. For the awarded students, the Bronze Shield is a boost to keep striving; for the residents of Palma, it is the satisfaction of seeing local talent recognised in their own home.
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