Speaking during his visit the king said the programme has “yielded clear results in terms of scientific discoveries, new developments, and pioneering publications.”

“But beyond that, it has had an enormous impact when it comes to building bridges between societies and cultures because there is no greater antidote for conflict than mutual knowledge and understanding,” he added. “It certainly has increased general access to education while inspiring strong relationships between the US and other countries around the world.”

“It certainly has increased general access to education while inspiring strong relationships between the US and other countries around the world”

King Felipe highlighted the programme’s relevance in bilateral relations between Spain and the US mentioning that last June, the Fulbright Program received the Prince of Austrias Award for International Collaboration.

The king is an Honorary Alumnus of the Fulbright Program and was a student of IIE’s President and CEO Allen Goodman while he studied at Georgetown University.

“This experience meant a great deal to me; changed me for the better, opened my mind to other ways, thoughts and cultures gathered in one campus, and certainly enriched my perspective and appreciation of the world,” he said.

“It helped me understand more vividly that if we put humanity before difference, we begin to see the world as one. Then it only becomes much easier to help make the world a better place.”

IIE’s outbound study campaign, Generation Study Abroad, also got the king’s backing. “As we celebrate the strong history of educational exchange between the US and Spain, I applaud the IIE and its Generation Study Abroad Initiative,” he commented.

Assistant Secretary of State Evan Ryan with two Fulbright Program alumni.

“And my country is proud to be the number three destination for American students who choose to study abroad.”

In 2012, more than 26,000 US students studied in Spain meanwhile close to 5,000 Spanish students studied at US colleges and universities in 2013.

Founded in 1946, the Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and administered by IIE.  Since 1958, more than 5,500 Spaniards and more than 2,300 Americans have received Fulbright grants.

The event was attended by other dignitaries and Assistant Secretary of State Evan Ryan.