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In the presence of the Minister for Education, Science, and Innovation, Fernando Alexandre, and a number of prominent figures from the worlds of academia, politics, and business, Universidade Portucalense marked its 40th anniversary with a formal commemorative ceremony on 29 June.

Fernando Alexandre, the Minister for Education, Science, and Innovation, acknowledged the contribution of Universidade Portucalense to democratising access to higher education and to the country’s development, at the formal ceremony marking the institution’s 40th anniversary.

Research, innovation, and academic excellence were the focus of Rector Fernando Ramos’s address at the formal ceremony marking the 40th anniversary of Universidade Portucalense. Arguing that the institution “is on the right track,” the Rector outlined the strategic priorities for the coming decade, focusing on strengthening research, doctoral training, and pedagogical innovation.

The celebrations marking the 40th anniversary of Universidade Portucalense were highlighted by the awarding of honorary doctorates to Maria Lúcia Amaral and Luís Portela, in recognition of two exceptional careers that have left their mark on Portugal in the fields of law, public life, science, innovation, and business development.

Universidade Portucalense has received approval from A3ES to launch the Doctoral programme in Translational Psychology, coordinated by Óscar Gonçalves, director of the RISE-HEALTH@UPT research centre.

On 26 March, over 40 companies and institutions attended the 13th edition of the Careers UPT Job Fair, which combined professional opportunities with initiatives focused on developing employability skills. It was an opportunity for students, recent graduates, and employers to engage directly, allowing them to discover specific job and internship opportunities, as well as to initiate recruitment and selection processes. Alongside the exhibition component, the event included a series of sessions geared towards preparing for professional life, with a focus on the skills valued by the labour market, aiming to bridge the gap between academic education and professional practice. Topics covered included negotiating a first salary in the tech sector, identifying organisations that align with one’s career goals, and using tools such as Europass to showcase and communicate skills. The 13th edition of the Job Fair thus underscored skill development as a key driver of employability in today’s increasingly demanding and competitive labour market. Vídeo

From 20 to 24 April, Universidade Portucalense hosts the 4th Sustainability Week under the theme “Caring for People Is Caring for the Planet,” reinforcing its commitment to promoting more sustainable and inclusive practices. This year’s edition features a wide range of activities, combining moments of reflection, knowledge sharing, and practical initiatives. The programme begins on 20 April with the official opening session and the inauguration of the exhibition “Educar para Transformar (“Educating to Transform”), also featuring the presentation of the previous edition’s e-book. Throughout the week, lectures, workshops, debates, and a sustainable market are scheduled, with a special emphasis on Earth Day celebrations on 22 April. The topics under analysis include the carbon footprint, the use of technology, social inclusion, and responsible consumption practices, reflecting a cross-cutting approach to the different dimensions of sustainability. Students will also be actively involved in this event, through the presentation of projects and academic posters, thus strengthening the link between teaching and the practical application of sustainable development concepts. Cultural activities and community engagement moments, such as sustainable Olympics and book exchange initiatives, are also planned. The closing ceremony is set for 24 April, with the presentation of awards to the best initiatives carried out during the event.  

Universidade Portucalense will host the 15th BAD Congress (Librarians, Archivists, Information and Documentation Professionals), taking place from 17 to 19 June.

Researchers, policy makers, and experts from Latin America and Southern Europe will gather at Universidade Portucalense on 16 April for the II Latin Polar Science Workshop. This international meeting focuses on the impact of polar regions on global climate stability and the strengthening of Latin-European scientific cooperation in polar science. The programme includes debates on polar infrastructure, climate impacts, scientific diplomacy, Arctic governance, indigenous communities, maritime routes, sea life, and the interconnections between polar, oceanic, and climate systems, at a time when polar science is playing an increasingly pivotal role in shaping global public policy. Students and researchers have until 28 February to submit their papers.  To view event information and register, click here. Organization: Latin Polar Science, in a partnership with Instituto Jurídico Portucalense. POSTER  

Universidade Portucalense welcomed students from Università di Parma (Italy), Estonian Business School (Estonia), and Grenoble École de Management (France) as part of the Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) on “International Sustainable Management: Business Planning and Reporting” between 24 and 28 November.