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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.    

On 10 September, during the Institutional Welcome Session, Universidade Portucalense awarded the 1st edition of the Pedagogical Innovation Award. The award was presented by the Rector, Fernando Ramos. First place went to the project “Innovation in Tourist Destinations – Interdisciplinary Project of the Tourism Degree,” by lecturers Marília Durão, Joana Quintela, and Medéia Veríssimo, from the Department of Tourism, Heritage, and Culture. The initiative challenged students to develop innovative and sustainable proposals for tourist destinations, working with local organisations and using Project-Based Learning methodologies and lean frameworks such as Scrum and Kanban. Second place was awarded to the pedagogical practice “Escape Room: Unravelling the Enigmatic Paths of Data Analysis”, presented by Pedro Rodrigues, from the Department of Psychology and Education, who applied game-based learning methodologies to make the teaching of statistics more engaging through immersive challenges that require logical reasoning, problem-solving, and team co-operation. Two honourable mentions were also awarded –  Bruno Cunha, from the Department of Science and Technology, with “Smart Tests for Smarter Learning”, and Joaquim Flores, Isabel C. Neves, and Luís P. Pacheco, from the Department of Architecture and Multimedia Gallaecia, with “From Analogue to Digital (Architecture + PBL)” –  in recognition of the potential of the applications submitted. The Pedagogical Innovation Award is organised by the Pedagogical Innovation Office as part of the +Sucesso@UPortucalense project and aims to highlight innovative teaching practices that have an impact on academic success and the quality of learning.

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.

Between 7 and 9 July, Universidade Portucalense held the first edition of the “Summer School +Sucesso: Excellence Programme for Excellence”, part of the +Sucesso@UPortucalense project. This was an intensive learning experience for the 28 freshers selected for their high academic performance. For three days, the students took part in workshops in the areas of communication, creativity, emotional intelligence, and leadership. The programme also included group dynamics, mentoring sessions with guest lecturers and mentors, and activities designed to stimulate personal growth, reflection, and collaborative work. Elizabeth Real, Vice-Rector for Education, points out that: “The ‘Summer School +Sucesso: Excellence Programme for Excellence’ was a particularly meaningful initiative within the framework of the +Successo@Universidade Portucalense Project, as it recognised the academic merit of the first-year students with the best academic grades.”   She stresses that this programme “has not only enabled the development of personal, interpersonal, and academic skills, but also reinforced the sense of belonging to the academic community, through the interaction with colleagues, lecturers, and alumni.” She believes that “the active involvement of the students, combined with the quality of the topics and the trainers, contributed to an enriching experience, with a real impact on the academic career, professional aspirations, and future prospects of the participants.” In view of the strong response and the high level of satisfaction shown by the participants, she said there is a possibility of “new, similar actions within the scope of the project, as well as other complementary initiatives aimed at promoting the academic success of our students.” “Summer School +Sucesso: Excellence Programme for Excellence” is part of the +Sucesso@UPortucalense Project, funded by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR).  

Lecturer Sandra Fernandes is part of the “+Sucesso@UPortucalense” project, which began in September last year and is due to end in September next year.