News

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).  

Universidade Portucalense will welcome first-year students of its first cycle study programmes on 8 and 10 September, with a set of activities specially designed to promote their confident, active, and participatory integration into academic life. On 8 September, at 9.30 a.m., the Aula Magna hosts the Welcome Session. Between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., the Academic Departments will be presented in rooms organised by subject area, providing a first contact with lecturers, colleagues, and the structure of the programmes. The day will end with a social event, starting at 1 p.m., next to the Espelho d’Água, with the motto “Meeting Point: Start Here!” On 10 September, activities resume at 2 p.m. with the distribution of freshers’ kits, also at the Espelho d’Água. At 2.30 p.m., the Family Photo 2025 will be taken, bringing together all the new students and lecturers. The afternoon continues with the dynamic “Freshers’ Mission: Challenge yourself and Connect!” between 3 p.m. and 5.30 p.m., on campus. The programme will end with the Institutional Welcome Session at 5.30 p.m. in the Aula Magna, which will officially mark the opening of the new academic year and the start of the new students’ academic journey.

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.