Optimism, confidence, willingness to overcome future challenges and continue to improve Técnico’s image overseas were the topics addressed by the several speakers during the inauguration ceremony, held this Thursday, 2nd January, at Técnico – Alameda campus (Congress Centre).
Professor Arlindo Oliveira, the outgoing president, thanked everyone “for the work and dedication” and stated that “Técnico continues to be a Portuguese leading school in the field of engineering, science, technology and architecture; we attract the best candidates and students”. “It was an honour and a privilege to have had the opportunity to serve as president of this school during 8 years”, said professor Arlindo Oliveira.
“Becoming the president of Técnico is the greatest honour and the greatest responsibility I have ever had in my professional life”, said professor Rogério Colaço in the beginning of his speech. “Técnico is a school that creates, disseminates, transmits and applies scientific and technological knowledge. Técnico is a school that promotes forward-looking teaching and learning, according to the best and most demanding international standards and practices”, he added.
After pointing out some of the “greatest challenges” facing this third decade of the 21st century, to which Técnico will not be oblivious, the new president stressed that the school must “be prepared to continue to respond to the challenges of the present. This is not an easy task, it never was, but it is possible”, he said. Professor Rogério Colaço recalled that funding of Portuguese public higher education institutions continues to be an alarming issue, and that “having the ability to generate own-source revenue” is becoming increasingly important. “We do not lack optimism, will and determination. We count on everyone because we are all part of Técnico”, he said enthusiastically.
Professor Rogério Colaço reinstated professor Luís Oliveira e Silva and professor Raquel Aires-Barros as presidents of the Scientific Board and Pedagogic Board, respectively.
Professor Paulo Martins, president of the School Council, thanked professor Arlindo Oliveira “for the work and dedication during the last 8 years” and also professor Rogério Colaço “for the willingness to hold this position”. “This position requires full dedication. You will sacrifice your activity as professor and researcher and also your personal life”, he stressed.
The rector of Universidade de Lisboa, professor António Cruz Serra, praised the work carried out by the outgoing president and his team, and welcomed professor Rogério Colaço as the new president. “I know I can count on him to struggle against bureaucracy and to increase public funding”, said professor António Cruz Serra, who also pointed out that he counts on everyone to build a better higher education. “Portugal can succeed only will if it has better universities”.
The new Governing Board members took office: Vice-Presidents – Alexandre Francisco (Academic Affairs), Fátima Montemor (Research and International Affairs), Fernando Mira da Silva (Information and Communications Technologies), Helena Galhardas (Tagurpark Campus), Helena Geirinhas Ramos (Administrative Management), Isabel Dias (Financial Management), José Marques (CTN Campus), Luís Correia (Business Partnerships and Técnico +), Pedro Amaral (Facilities and Equipment) and Nuno Pedroso (Administrator). Professor Isabel Ribeiro, who will assume the position of Vice-President for Administrative Modernisation, will take office later.
The video of the ceremony can be found here.
