António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, was honoured by Instituto Superior Técnico with the Técnico Alumni Career Award 2025. The award aims to recognise ‘not only a unique career, but also the values that inspire generations of engineers and scientists: public service, global solidarity and ethical leadership’, as stated by the President of Instituto Superior Técnico, Rogério Colaço. The award ceremony took place during the Técnico Alumni Gala 2025, commemorating Técnico’s 114th anniversary on 23 May.
In his recorded speech shared with attendees, António Guterres, an Electrical Engineering alumnus, noted, “Técnico has changed the way I see the world and the others, […] it was the place where I learnt to learn, and that is the most valuable skill of all, especially in the fast-paced world we live in”.
‘By creating this Award, Técnico reminds us that no matter where life takes us, we will always belong to the community that shaped us. I am very proud to be a part of this community’, said the international leader who was awarded the title of doctor honoris causa by Universidade de Lisboa in 2018. António Guterres was a unanimous choice for the award, with the jury deciding that in this first edition, there would be only one nominee and one winner.
The award also includes the ‘Young Entrepreneur’ category, which was won by Maria Vilar, founder and CEO of Immersiv Studios. This category recognises Técnico alumni at an early stage in their careers who have distinguished themselves by creating value through business or technological initiatives’. ‘I’ve received many messages of support since the voting was announced. It’s a moment to thank those who have accompanied me on this journey. It’s an honour to be the first recipient of this award, in this school where I took my first steps’, said the Técnico alumna.
Maria Vilar, an Electrical and Computer Engineering alumna, was selected based on a voting open to the Técnico community.
The awards were presented at the Alumni Gala on Técnico’s 114th anniversary. The funds raised from the event will be used to provide scholarships for current Técnico students.
