June 19–20, 2025, Girona
For two days, the Polytechnic School at the University of Girona became more than just a place for learning—it became a space for reflection, pride, and heartfelt farewells. Students from the MIRS (Master in Intelligent Robotic Systems) and IFROS (Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Intelligent Field Robotic Systems) gathered one last time—not just to defend their final projects, but to celebrate the end of an intense and unforgettable chapter. What unfolded wasn’t just an academic event. It was a moment to share hard work, thank those who had walked the journey with them, and look ahead to what comes next—with curiosity and excitement.
On June 19, was all about the students and their stories. One after another, they stood in front of their peers and professors to present the master’s theses that had taken months of research, testing, and iteration. Some focused on autonomous navigation, others on robotic perception, deep learning, or control systems each project a personal journey through a technical challenge. But beyond the code and equations, what really stood out was the passion each student brought to the stage. They weren’t just showing results; they were sharing what they had learned, why it mattered, and how far they had come.
The next morning highly anticipated “IFRoS & MIRS Day took place. It began with warm words of encouragement from Dr. Xevi Cufí, Deputy Director of the Polytechnic School, and Dr. Robert Martí,Advisor to the Rector for Master’s Programs. Their message was simple and sincere: we’re proud of you, and excited for what’s to come.
Unlike the first day, June 20 wasn’t about completing a task, it was about celebrating the journey. The program featured a selection of the most representative thesis presentations from the day before, projects that had left a strong impression and deserved one more moment in the spotlight. This second chance allowed more people to appreciate the depth and creativity behind the students’ work.
The formal presentations gave way to more relaxed and intimate moments of connection during the Poster Session and Coffee Break. The room filled with the hum of thoughtful conversations as students, professors, and guests mingled, asking questions and sharing insights. In addition, attendees not only had the chance to discover the impressive thesis projects presented by the graduates, but also to see the Mini Girona robot on display. This prototype is part of an ongoing hands-on project led by current IFRoS and MIRS students within the VICOROB research group, based at the CIRS facility, now equipped with a newly inaugurated testing pool. These state-of-the-art installations have allowed the team to carry out regular trials to fine-tune the robot ahead of its participation in the RAMI competition this July. Students enthusiastically shared details about both the robot’s development and the exciting challenge they are preparing for. We’re looking forward to sharing good news from the competition very soon! It was a genuine exchange of ideas, fueled by shared enthusiasm and a strong sense of community.
The morning continued with a highlight of the day: the Companies’ Presentations, bridging the gap between academia and industry. Speakers from leading organizations shared their vision for the future of robotics. Ricard Pardell from Agrikola.AI spoke on the transformation of agriculture, noting that graduating student Lisa had completed her master’s thesis with his company. Arnau Carreras from Subdron took the audience into the challenging depths of underwater autonomy, while Gennaro Scarati andJosep Bravo from the Eurecat technology center introduced ongoing projects and shared open positions, creating a direct pathway for students eager to apply their skills. Finally, Damjan Miklic from RomB Technologiesprovided insights into the growing field of service robotics. Their words sparked ideas and reminded everyone that what starts in a lab or classroom can go far beyond it.
Just before the lunch break, theory was put into thrilling action with the Turtlebots Demonstration. Representing their classmates, Solomon Chibuzo Nwafor and Muhammad Faran Akram delivered a live showcase of their semester project. They walked the audience through the challenges of integrating perception, localization, planning, and intervention subsystems into a single mobile robot. The robot’s ability to autonomously understand its environment and execute tasks was a testament to the hands-on, collaborative learning that defines the IFRoS and MIRS experience. A second poster session during lunch offered one last informal moment for students to discuss their work before the day’s emotional climax.
To close the day, students, professors, and guests gathered for a heartfelt graduation ceremony celebrating the achievements of both IFRoS and MIRS cohorts. The atmosphere was one of joy, gratitude, and just the right touch of humor.
The event began with a warm and welcoming speech by Narcís Palomeras, the IFRoS program coordinator, who reflected on the journey shared by such a diverse group of students. He spoke of the bonds formed across cultures, of all the debugging-filled nights, and of the quiet strength found in mutual support. “You’ve discovered how much you have in common with people who grew up thousands of kilometers away,” he said. “Diversity is a source of strength, not confrontation.”
He also expressed sincere thanks to the partner universities of the IFRoS consortium, University of Zagreb and Eötvös Loránd University,as well as the entire coordination team in Girona for making the program possible.
But perhaps the most memorable moment came when two student representatives from IFRoS, Selin Yavuz and Renatto Tommasi, took the stage. Their joint speech was a perfect mix of laughter and sentiment. Renatto opened with a playful jab at AI-written speeches—“8% shorter and 20% more inspiring”—before switching gears to recall the collective experiences of the past two years.
Selin brought heartfelt emotion to the room, speaking of living far from home and finding a new family among classmates. Together, they shared funny and touching moments: sleepless nights working on challenging assignments, discovering that the “otters” in the Onyar River were actually River rats, and how their international group had unintentionally built a worldwide network of “free housing” thanks to friendships across 21+ nationalities.
They closed their speech by thanking the team behind the scenes, Narcís, Nuno, Imma, and Réka, for their dedication, patience, and support. And as they shouted a triumphant “We made it!”, the entire room erupted in applause.
Instead of formal diplomas, each student received a class photo (orla), a small but meaningful reminder of the people, projects, and shared memories that defined their time in Girona and beyond.
As the day concluded, it was clear this was not an ending, but a launchpad. A new global community of robotics experts is now ready to make its mark on the world, forever connected by the unforgettable journey they shared in Girona.
Now, these graduates head into their next chapters: research labs, robotics companies, PhD programs, or new ventures yet to be imagined. But wherever life takes them, they leave with more than technical skills. They carry an international mindset, a spirit of collaboration, and the courage to shape the future.
And above all, they will always be part of the MIRS and IFRoS family, a community that continues to grow, evolve, and support one another across countries, time zones, and careers.
The future of robotics is in good hands.
