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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.  

On 13 January, Instituto Jurídico Portucalense (IJP) is holding a colloquium entitled “Proceedings under the jurisdiction of the Public Prosecutor’s Office and Civil Registry Offices” at 5:30 pm in Auditorium 201.

On 7 November, Universidade Portucalense began a new cycle of academic and scientific leadership with the inauguration of the Rectorate and the Directorates of the Departments and Research Units. The ceremony was presided over by the Chair of the Board of Directors, Armando Jorge de Carvalho, and it marked the start of a four-year term focused on strengthening institutional strategy, promoting research, and affirming the University’s position in the higher education landscape. The Rectorate took office, led by Rector Fernando Ramos, Vice-Rector for Education, Elizabeth Real, and Vice-Rector for Research, Jorge Leite. The Department Directors took office as follows: Fernanda Rebelo (Law), João Carvalho (Economics and Management), Paulo Morais (Science and Technology), Isabel Freitas (Tourism and Cultural Heritage), Alexandra Araújo (Psychology and Education), and Mariana Correia (Architecture and Multimedia Gallaecia). For the research units, Maria Manuela Magalhães was appointed to the Instituto Jurídico Portucalense (IJP); Luís Pacheco to REMIT – Research on Economics, Management and Information Technologies; and Óscar Gonçalves to CINTESIS.UPT – Centre for Research in Health Technologies and Services (UPT Hub).  During the event, Armando Jorge de Carvalho emphasised that “this new management cycle involves new challenges and new undertakings” but he also stressed that it is equally “important to know how to maintain or even improve everything that has been achieved so far,” valuing the University’s growth and development in recent years. He went on to emphasise that “in the short term, the priority is to strengthen the internationalisation of research, promote the development of new doctoral programmes while consolidating existing ones, as well as reassess the study programmes offered in light of a new paradigm and emerging trends.” He added that the reformulation of the internationalisation policy, adjusted to new realities, could lead to a restructuring and strengthening of the internal organisation itself. Armando Jorge de Carvalho emphasised the importance of “believing in the future, cultivating trust, and focusing energies on what is truly important for Portucalense, promoting a culture based on collaboration, dialogue, and internal cohesion.” In his speech, Rector Fernando Ramos presented the six principles that will guide the new term of office.  Internal cohesion was identified as the foundation for uniting efforts, strengthening teams, and ensuring continuity in institutional development. Sustainability emerges as a strategic condition for ensuring the long-term sustainability of the University. Anticipation was referred to as an essential requirement for preparing for the future, requiring vision, timely planning, and the involvement of the entire academic community. Transparency was presented as the basis for clear governance, capable of generating trust and promoting adherence to the decisions taken. Differentiation plays a decisive role in affirming the University’s identity in an increasingly competitive environment. Finally, an interdisciplinary approach is considered an indispensable path to responding to today’s complexity, driving pedagogical, scientific, and social innovation.    

Enrolment for the Executive Programme in Sustainable Urban Mobility is now open until 28 February 2026. Application Period Phase 1: 12 November to 10 January Phase 2: 11 January to 28 February The goal of living in a healthier territory, preserving the development options of the next generations, requires improving urban planning and adapting to climate change. This plan calls for planning for the integration of nature in cities, the mix of uses and the regulation of mobility, which is one of the indicators to be monitored in municipal agendas, due to its contribution to the emission of greenhouse gases. In general terms, we can say that sustainable mobility is that which reduces dependence on the car for daily travel and enhances the use of smooth or collective modes. To achieve this, it will be necessary to avoid urban expansion, reduce environmental risks and mix activities, elements that converge towards a more balanced development. In city management, it is important to value urban design, in order to improve the environment of neighborhoods, always through the participation of the resident population. We must promote ecological corridors and the connection of public spaces, taking into account the human scale, in order to qualify community life. Even today, in certain urban areas, the environment for citizens is extremely hostile, due to an inadequate urban design, when oriented towards car traffic. This course aims to promote integrated projects to improve mobility, urban environment management, universal accessibility and the qualification of cities.

On 10 September, at the Institutional Welcome Session, the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Armando Jorge de Carvalho, highlighted the sustained growth of the University, which once again recorded an increase in the number of students, despite the 12% reduction in the total number of applicants to Higher Education at national level. For Armando Jorge de Carvalho, this result reflects “the market’s recognition of the work carried out by the academic community, which contributes to strengthening the institution’s prestige.” He also recalled recent achievements, such as the award of the “green lane” regime by A3ES in the process of accrediting study cycles and the “Very Good” evaluation achieved by the University’s four Research Units in the FCT evaluation. Addressing the new students, he emphasised that the road ahead is demanding but also full of opportunities: “It will certainly require a great deal of effort on your part, great resilience, dedication, hard work, and discipline. It’s not always easy to overcome difficulties but every obstacle you overcome will make you stronger, more confident, and better prepared. Such effort will pay off with new knowledge, experiences, and friendships.” He asserted the institution’s commitment to train responsible citizens and competent professionals: “We want you to be active agents in the improvement global society by exercising full and responsible citizenship, becoming committed citizens and exemplary professionals.” He ended with a message of accountability: “The world is currently experiencing times of extreme complexity and instability, with conflicts and crises affecting all sectors of society. These challenges are also reflected in the daily lives of families, on a social, economic, and emotional level. It is in this context that we challenge you to build a solid future, based on knowledge, values, and civic intervention.” In his speech, Rector Fernando Ramos emphasised the institution’s path of affirmation since its foundation in 1986 and the consolidation of its training offer in various areas of knowledge. He recalled the more traditional courses, such as Law, Management, Economics, and Tourism, but also the more recent and expanding areas, such as Architecture, Multimedia, International Relations, and Engineering. He also mentioned the creation of Portucalense Business School in 2023 as an example of the reinforcement of the commitment to advanced and executive training. Fernando Ramos pointed to two of the university’s strategic pillars: the promotion of scientific research and pedagogical innovation, which involves the adoption of active learning methodologies and the incorporation of the latest digital technologies, including generative artificial intelligence. “Our aim is clear: to ensure that our students’ education is on a par with the best in Portugal and the world, preparing them for an increasingly complex future that requires solid foundations, both scientifically and in terms of human and behavioural aspects,” he concluded. The Institutional Welcome Session also included the presentation of the Quality and Merit Promotion Scholarships, as well as the “Brandzone – Media Experts” and “Giacomini Portugal” awards. The programme ended with performances by Tuna Feminina and Tuna Académica, which reinforced the atmosphere of integration and celebration.    

From 3 to 5 September, Universidade Portucalense held the UPT Erasmus Welcome Week, a welcoming programme for students of 18 nationalities. In this first semester of the 2025-2026 academic year, Universidade Portucalense is hosting 102 students from European universities from 17 countries – Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Türkiye, and Slovakia. This group was also joined by two international exchange students from Brazil. The programme began with a welcome session led by the Vice-Rector for Teaching, Elizabeth Real, followed by a guided tour of the University and the International Aperitif. Over the next few days, various educational, cultural, and leisure activities took place, facilitating the students’ integration into the university and the city of Porto. Among the highlights were the 6 Bridges Cruise on the River Douro, a surf lesson, and an integration dinner. Organised by the International Relations Office, UPT Erasmus Welcome Week reaffirms Universidade Portucalense’s commitment to internationalisation, cultural diversity, and welcoming a global, inclusive, and dynamic academic community.

José Azeredo Lopes, former Minister for Defence, is the guest speaker at the seminar “Israel-Hamas conflict,” on January 25, at 6 pm.

Universidade Portucalense has signed a memorandum of understanding with five European universities, which translates into a commitment to joint initiatives in the areas of education and research.