Universidade Portucalense – Infante D. Henrique

Universidade Portucalense Infante D. Henrique is a cooperative higher education and scientific research establishment

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Honorary Doctorates to mark the University’s 40th anniversary

On 29 June, Universidade Portucalense will mark its 40th anniversary with a formal ceremony that will include the awarding of Honorary Doctorates to Maria Lúcia Amaral and Luís Portela. The ceremony will take place in the Aula Magna, starting at 3 pm. The award recognises two individuals who have distinguished themselves through their contributions to Portuguese society in the fields of Law, public life, science, innovation, and business development, reflecting the values of knowledge, responsibility, and service to the community that have defined the mission of Universidade Portucalense for four decades.  Maria Lúcia Amaral, Full Professor at the Faculty of Law of the Universidade Nova de Lisboa, has dedicated her career to the study of fundamental rights, the organisation of political power, and the principles of the democratic Rule of Law, contributing to the education of several generations of legal professionals and to the advancement of thinking on Portuguese constitutional law.  In 2007, she was appointed a judge of the Constitutional Court, subsequently becoming its Vice-President. In 2017, she became the first woman to hold the post of Ombudsman in Portugal, a position to which she was re-elected in 2021. Between 2025 and 2026, she also served in the 25th Constitutional Government as Minister for Home Affairs. Her career has been characterised by her commitment to defending citizens’ rights, freedoms, and safeguards, and to strengthening democratic institutions.  Luís Portela is one of the leading figures in the Portuguese business and scientific community. A doctor by training and an entrepreneur by vocation, he led BIAL for decades, transforming it into an international leader in the pharmaceutical industry. Under his leadership, the company significantly increased its investment in research and development, achieving a historic milestone with the discovery and commercialisation of innovative medicines, developed in Portugal for international markets.  In 1994, he established the BIAL Foundation, in partnership with the Council of Rectors of Portuguese Universities, through which he has promoted and supported scientific research in the fields of biomedicine and human consciousness. Throughout his career, he also chaired Health Cluster Portugal, served on the board of COTEC Portugal, and held the post of vice-president of the Serralves Foundation. The author of numerous works, he has combined his business activities with scholarly, humanistic, and cultural reflection.  The recipient of numerous national and international honours, including the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit and the Grand Cross of the Order of Public Instruction, Luís Portela has been awarded honorary doctorates by several Portuguese and foreign universities.  The awarding of these Honorary Doctorates is part of the programme of events marking the 40th anniversary of Universidade Portucalense, which was founded in 1986. Over the past four decades, the institution has established itself as a leading university in Portuguese higher education, distinguishing itself through the quality of its teaching, its academic output, and its links with society and the business community.

Children’s rights under discussion 

Clara Sottomayor, Counselor Judge of the Supreme Court of Justice, and Daniel Gomes, lecturer at Universidade Portucalense, are taking part in the seminar “International Children’s Day: strategies to safeguard their rights,” which will take place on 27 May at 11.00 am in Auditorium 104. The seminar aims to encourage critical reflection on the current challenges facing child protection and the need to strengthen the legal and institutional instruments capable of effectively safeguarding children’s rights in the face of new social, family, and legal realities. In this context, Clara Sottomayor will focus her presentation on “The best interests of the child as a Human Right” and Daniel Gomes on “The legal protection of children: some notes on the constitutional provision and its implementation.” The opening session will feature presentations by Fernando Ramos, Rector of Universidade Portucalense, Fernanda Rebelo, Director of the Department of Law, and Fátima Matos Silva, coordinator of the Cultura@Portucalense project. The moderator will be Olívia de Carvalho, coordinator of the “From Human Rights to Children’s Rights” project at the Instituto Jurídico Portucalense. Free admission. Organization: Cultura@Portucalense and Department of Law, in a partnership with Instituto Jurídico Portucalense. Poster

UP(T)LOADING showcases creativity and artistic experimentation

From 20 May to 3 June, the Passos Perdidos will host the “UP(T)LOADING” exhibition, showcasing projects created by students on the Bachelor’s degree in Multimedia and Arts. Using various artistic and technological mediums, students develop projects that bridge the physical and virtual worlds, as well as the audiovisual and experimental realms, reflecting diverse creative and critical perspectives on the challenges and transformations of today’s world.

Relationship Marketing Summit brings together business leaders and experts

On 20 May, at the Relationship Marketing Summit, business leaders and experts will take to the stage at the Aula Magna to discuss the strategic role of organisational relationships and sustainability in creating business value.   Focusing on the themes of Relationship Marketing and Sustainability, the event will feature two keynote speakers: Artur Santos Silva (“La Caixa” Foundation) will address leadership, institutional trust, and the creation of sustainable value, while Ricardo Pol Sánchez (Interface) will focus on innovation, strategic design, and sustainability as applied to organisations.   Two roundtables are scheduled throughout the day. The first session, at 11.30 am, will explore the importance of strategic relationships for the growth and positioning of organisations, featuring Vítor Reis (Altronix), Reinaldo Teixeira (Liga Portugal), José Wilson (Black Coffee), Luís Godinho (Liga Portugal), and Hugo Tavares Freitas (A Oficina). The second roundtable, at 3 pm, will focus on the challenges of innovation, sustainability, and business competitiveness, and will feature Carlos Alves (HFA), Ricardo Correia (OLI), Pedro Antunes (PewPew), Paula Sá (Netgócio), and Ricardo Pol Sánchez (Interface).   The Relationship Marketing Summit aims to demonstrate that relationship marketing is crucial to strengthening trust, reputation, and commitment between companies and their stakeholders, whilst sustainability is established as a central pillar of competitiveness, resilience, and sustainable growth.

Erasmus Staff Week and International Tourism and Hospitality Week

From 25 to 29 May, Universidade Portucalense will host the 9th Erasmus+ Staff Week 2026 and the International Tourism and Hospitality Week, bringing together lecturers and staff from various European higher education institutions for a week dedicated to knowledge-sharing, international cooperation, and academic networking. Under the theme “Connect, Learn, Explore, Experience,” the programme includes workshops, the exchange of best practices, and cultural activities, reinforcing Universidade Portucalense’s commitment to internationalisation and innovation in higher education. The programme also includes a cultural and study abroad component, featuring participation in the 4th Alto Minho Gastronomy Symposium in Ponte de Lima, as well as study visits to Ponte de Lima and Viana do Castelo, offering direct contact with the region’s heritage, culture, and tourist attractions. Programme Registration

The seminar cycle “The paths of ideas” welcomes Emídio Gomes

Emídio Gomes, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Metro do Porto, is the guest speaker at the seminar cycle “The paths of ideas,” on 15 May at 11am, in auditorium 201. The seminar, on the theme “Globalisation and Geostrategic Balance: the role of Metro do Porto,” will address issues relating to global development models, based on the premise that globalisation is an inevitable phenomenon, but one that can be regulated with a view to achieving greater geostrategic balance. Issues such as value creation from locally generated knowledge and the impact of global dynamics on peripheral regions will be examined. Public investment, dependence on structural funds, and economic and social development will also be discussed.  Free admission subject to prior registration.

Third International Symposium in Human Rights and Citizenship: Call for Papers: deadline 15 May

Third International Symposium in Human Rights and Citizenship: Call for Papers deadline 15 May – Universidade Portucalense – Infante D. Henrique The call for papers for the 3rd International Symposium on Human Rights and Citizenship, which will take place on 18 and 19 June at Universidade Portucalense, is open until 15 May. Under the theme “Causal Links between Structural Inequalities and Violations of Human and Citizens’ Rights,” this edition offers an in-depth examination of the social, political, and technological phenomena that directly impact contemporary societies, fostering dialogue among researchers, lecturers, students, and institutions from diverse academic and geographical backgrounds. The symposium aims to encourage contributions in line with recent international academic and institutional agendas, bringing together perspectives from critical social theory, public policy, social justice, and sustainable development, in keeping with the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. The main topics under discussion are: Social Inequalities and Vulnerabilities; Active Citizenship and Democratic Participation; Social Justice and Public Policy; The Impact of Technological Change; Promotion and Protection of Human Rights. The Organising Committee extends a warm invitation to the academic and scientific community to join this forum for reflection and knowledge-building, thereby contributing to a debate with academic, social, and civic impact. Registration and further information are available here.

Executive Programme in Labour Law

Registration for the 9th edition of the Applied Training in Labour Law is open until April 27. This training programme, which will be delivered online, arises within a context of significant changes to labour legislation resulting from the Decent Work Agenda and is particularly aimed at companies, solicitors, legal experts, human resources managers, and employees seeking to update and consolidate their knowledge. Taking a practical and professional-oriented approach, the programme covers key topics in Portuguese Labour Law, including: Termination of employment contracts; Organization of working hours; Special regime employment contracts. The programme’s goal is to provide a legal update in Labour Law and to improve the fundamental skills needed to apply the law effectively in business and legal careers. Course begins: 8 May 2026  

Job Fair boosts skills for labour market access

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

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