New academic and scientific cycle
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.
