The UPV awards the distinction to the aeronautical engineer Aina Monfort (Airbus) and the Civil Engineering graduate Gonzalo García (Therminer)
The Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) has awarded ex aequo to Aina Monfort Salort and Gonzalo García Iranzo the distinction of Outstanding UPV Alumni of 2024, in a ceremony that took place today, Thursday, in the Assembly Hall of the School of Agricultural Engineering and Environment (ETSIAMN).
Gonzalo García is CEO and co-founder of Therminer. Aina Monfort currently manages the Airbus plant in Albacete and is head of operations of the helicopter section in Spain. She is also a member of different working teams within Airbus, such as Balance for Business, which defends equal opportunities and promotes initiatives in the field of diversity.
The UPV, his second home
The Airbus executive was particularly moved to receive the award from the hands of the Rector, José E. Capilla, and said in her speech that the UPV “is my second home”. “The UPV has held out its hand to me from the first moment and continues to do so today. Thank you for continuing to support education of the highest quality. I can confirm that studying here does not set any limits”, he added.
Monfort is part of the first graduating class for the Aeronautical Engineering degree at the UPV, which graduated in 2010. Since then, she has been an ‘ambassador’ for the UPV in different forums. She collaborates with the university through numerous activities.
Act of “Return”
Gonzalo García founded in 2021, together with another UPV graduate, the company Therminer. Its main contribution is an innovative liquid cooling system for computer servers. This technology manages to reduce cooling consumption by 95% compared to traditional air systems and, in turn, reuses the heat dissipated and uses it in industrial processes with lower heat generation or in heating and hot water systems.
“Beyond the training I received, the first entity that opened the doors to our project was the UPV. I look back and feel the need to return part of what I have received here. For me, this award is not only a tribute to the past, but also a commitment to the UPV for the future”, emphasised the entrepreneur.
Gonzalo García graduated in Civil Engineering in 2015. Subsequently, he studied for a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Startup Administration at the UPV.
The Rector of the UPV, José E. Capilla, underlined the importance of recognising outstanding alumni because “it reflects the idea that the UPV is what its graduates become”.
The Outstanding UPV Alumni of the Universitat Politècnica de València distinction is awarded annually (since 2016) to members of UPV Alumni who stand out for their professional and personal careers, their recognised prestige, their social work and for having made a notable contribution to the promotion of the image and aims of the UPV.