Campus and Community

Challenges have been overcome during the welcome week

Técnico prepared a welcome week that combined face-to-face events with virtual events, in order to welcome the new students as best as possible. Despite the restrictions caused by the pandemic and following all safety rules, Técnico welcomed about 1400 students on Alameda and Taguspark campuses.

1663 new students entered Técnico this year during the 1st phase of the National Competition for Access to Public Higher Education. 1376 students (82.7%) completed their online enrollment process until 28th October, which have proven to be effective in maintaining social distancing, avoiding mass gatherings at Técnico campuses.

The enrollment system remained available throughout the week, with a support team always available to answer any questions through video call, and assist students throughout the registration process. There were also permanent on-site services to solve exceptional cases, such as authentication problems, in the main building (Alameda campus).

Once the enrollment process was completed, the students were invited to visit the School. They received their appointment via SMS, indicating the day, hour and campus. Organised in groups of ten, the new students had the opportunity to receive the usual welcome kit – this year adapted to the pandemic – and to visit the different spaces, such as the students’ union (AEIST), student groups, etc. More than 1200 students visited Alameda campus from 29th September to 2nd October.

Luís Caetano was one of the new students who visited Alameda campus. He entered his first choice course, Mining and Geological Engineering. “My father works in this area, so I was always in contact with it. In the last few years I’ve become more interested on this filed of engineering and I decided that I want to do this in the future”, he recalls. “I wasn’t expecting a welcome week, honestly”, he says. “These moments are very important, although the restrictions, because we can visit the campus and meet some of our colleagues”, he adds.

The last day of welcome week included the Alameda campus and Taguspark campus welcome sessions, via Zoom. The new students had the opportunity to watch the message from the President of Técnico, professor Rogério Colaço.

Professor Helena Galhardas, Vice-president for the Management of Taguspark campus hosted the session and welcomed the new students. Also the members of Taguspark campus Management Commission, professors Ana Moura Santos, João Paulo Carvalho, Maria Luísa Coheur, Rui Prada, and Susana Relvas, presented the school’s services and recalled students “you don’t have to walk this journey alone”. Professor Helena Galhardas talked about the creation of a virtual Taguspark campus that aims to help shortening the distances caused by the pandemic.

The new students had the opportunity to learn more about the Student Support Unit (NAPE), Pedagogical Council, Academic Development Office (NDA), Técnico Library and AEIST.

NAPE members presented Taguspark and Alameda campuses through a virtual tour. Afterwards, the online sessions were hosted by the course coordinators and the new students had the opportunity to meet some of their new professors and to clarify their doubts about this new stage of their lives that starts next Tuesday, 6th October.

In total, until 2nd October, 1611 students have completed the enrollment process.