Antoni Tió, honorary doctoral degree holder by the UPC: “At the age of 23 I knew I wanted to make sails. What I wanted was to dress the wind.”
Rector Francesc Torres presents the mortarboard to Antoni Tió, accompanied by vice-rector Pedro Díez (left) and FNB dean Agustí Martin (right).
On 16 June, the UPC conferred an honorary doctoral degree on Antoni Tió Sauleda, a nautical industrialist renowned for his innovation in the design and manufacture of sails. Professor Agustí Martin Mallofré, dean of the Barcelona School of Nautical Studies (FNB), conducted the event, which took place at the School.
Jul 08, 2025
“I am very grateful that the UPC, at the behest of the Barcelona School of Nautical Studies, has awarded me an honorary doctoral degree, which I accept with great pleasure.” With these words, nautical industrialist Antoni Tió Sauleda began his acceptance speech for the honorary doctoral degree from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - BarcelonaTech (UPC), at an event held on 16 June.
Recalling the origins of his passion for the sea, Tió shared that at the age of 23 he knew that he wanted to make sails. “What I wanted was to dress the wind,” he said. He recounted how he learned the trade of sailmaking while working at companies in France and Germany.
Tió also spoke about his collaboration with the UPC’s International Centre for Numerical Methods in Engineering (CIMNE) in the late 1990s. The project developed in partnership with the CIMNE enabled him to advance and perfect membrane sails, designed specifically for each boat through digital simulation and advanced manufacturing. This new technology revolutionised the sector.
An ambassador of Catalan nautical design
In his oration in praise of Tió, Agustí Martin Mallofré, dean of the Barcelona School of Nautical Studies (FNB), described him as “one of those figures who make possible a bridge between the professional and academic worlds, between traditional knowledge and innovation, between practice and culture.”
Martin underscored Tió’s passion for sailing and hailed him as “an ambassador of Catalan nautical design, a reference for professionals in the sector and a passionate communicator for new generations.”
A source of inspiration for the UPC
UPC rector Francesc Torres gave Tió the diploma, the mortarboard, the ring and the white gloves as a symbol of the honorary doctoral degree.
In his speech, the rector emphasised that “Doctor Tió perfectly embodies the values that we aim to pass on to our students: an entrepreneurial spirit, curiosity, the ability to reinvent oneself and a commitment to transforming reality. That is why his professional journey is a benchmark and his example an inspiration to the UPC community.”
The rector highlighted the pivotal role played by the CIMNE during a crucial stage in the development of Toni Tió Velas, the company founded by the new honorary doctoral degree holder.
He concluded with a message to Antoni Tió: “Your wisdom and expertise will serve as a guide and example as we train professionals who, like you, can navigate an ever-changing and complex world.”
The event was also attended by vice-rector for Research Pedro Díez and general secretary Neus Cònsul, who read the agreement passed by the UPC’s Governing Council to award the honorary degree, with the support of several institutions and sports organisations. The mayor of Sant Pol de Mar, Montserrat Garrido, was also among the audience.
Musical performances were delivered by soprano Núria Isabel Suárez, the Architecture Choir and the UPC Terrassa Choir, who closed the event with the traditional academic anthem Gaudeamus igitur.
Held at the FNB on 16 June, the ceremony was broadcast live on the UPC’s YouTube channel.
