The Higher Technical School of Engineering (ETSI) of the University of Seville and the Royal Sevillian Academy of Sciences held a moving ceremony in remembrance and tribute to Professor José Domínguez Abascal, PepónProfessor of Mechanics of Continuous Media and Theory of Structures at the University of Seville, who died in 2024.

During the event, various personalities spoke who, throughout his extensive professional career, shared stages of his life, both in the academic, business, institutional and of course personal spheres. 

They spoke, recalling anecdotes and shared experiences with Professor Domínguez Abascal: Javier Aracil SantonjaProfessor of Systems and Automation Engineering at the US, emeritus professor, academician of the Royal Academy of Engineering, of which the honoree was a full member, and former director of the ETSi, in whom he sought advice to guide his academic career and with whom he lived those first years as a university teacher; Manuel Doblaré Castellano, professor at the University of Zaragoza, colleague during his doctoral time in the group of Prof. Enrique Alarcón and with whom he shared the genesis of Abengoa Research, at the time when Pepón held the positions of Technical General Secretary and, later, President of Abengoa; Pelayo Domínguez BohórquezPepón's son and a graduate of ETSi, who spoke a few words on behalf of the family; Antonio Gómez Expósito, Professor of Electrical Engineering at the University of Seville, with whom he had a close relationship during his time as Secretary of State for Energy; Orlando Maeso Fortuny, professor at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, doctoral candidate and friend of Pepón; Miguel Ángel de la Rosa AcostaProfessor of Biochemistry at the University of Seville and president of the Royal Academy of Sciences of Seville, of which Pepón was a full member; and Andrés Sáez Pérez, director of the ETSi of the University of Seville, disciple of Pepón and who maintained a close professional and personal relationship with the honoree throughout his life.

They all highlighted the honoree's professional and personal achievements, with whom they had maintained a close working and personal relationship for decades. The speeches recalled his commitment to teaching, his leadership skills, his innovative vision, and his decisive contribution to the development of engineering in Spain.

During the ceremony, a commemorative plaque was unveiled in the ETSi Boardroom, in recognition of an essential figure in structural engineering and university teaching.

About José Domínguez Abascal

An industrial engineer and professor of Structures at the University of Seville, he was director of the ETSI (School of Industrial Engineering), a member of the Royal Academy of Sciences of Seville, and a member of the Royal Academy of Engineering of Spain. He also served as president of Abengoa and Secretary of State for Energy (2018–2020). His legacy combines academic excellence, institutional leadership, and a firm commitment to innovation and sustainability.