This year, the 109th anniversary of Técnico was celebrated one day earlier, on 22nd May. Due to covid 19 pandemic and in order to include everyone, the ceremony was held at Alameda campus and was live streamed.
“Despite its 109 years, Técnico remains as young, restless, irreverent and audacious as when it was created”, said professor Rogério Colaço, president of Técnico, in the opening session. “Técnico is constantly changing, and this has allowed us to overcome many challenges and difficulties, namely the one that occured less than 3 months ago. We were able to adapt our teaching model in a very short time and in an effective way. I would like to express my admiration and gratitude to all members of our community who helped fight the covid-19 pandemic”.
“We have won the first battle. Now we are gradually returning to work”, said professor Rogério Colaço. “We must return to normal. We have been waiting for that for a long time and I am sure everything will turn out just fine”, he stressed.
“Técnico is a place where students learn and develop new ideas, and where critical spirit is promoted, which allow us to move forward and progress together”, said Francisco Santos, president of AEIST. “The ability to attract the best students”, “the academic rigour”, “the extracurricular activities on Técnico campuses organised by students” were highlighted by Francisco Santos.
Professors, researchers and staff who have completed 25 years of service at Técnico were honoured.
“Human resources are the most important thing at Técnico” Ricardo Santos, LAIST researcher
Ricardo Santos, LAIST researcher, didn’t studied at Técnico but he considers himself a good example of how it is possible to learn, understand and then transfer knowledge. “I was part of great teams. My colleagues have always helped me out and taught me to think. They challenged me every day to be better and to do better. Basically they taught me “to be Técnico”. According to Ricardo Santos, “Human resources are the most important thing at Técnico. I praise the professors, researchers, staff and students who strive to be better everyday”.
“In order to recognise Técnico’s most influential professor, we award annually the title “IST Distinguished Professor”, explained professor Luís Oliveira e Silva. This The title “IST Distinguished Professor 2020” was given to professor Arlindo Oliveira.
“Técnico has been and continues to be the most important institution of my life”, professor Arlindo Oliveira, IST Distinguished Professor
“Técnico has been and continues to be the most important institution of my life”, said professor Arlindo Oliveira. “Técnico made me believe in intelligence, knowledge, science and technology as the most important forces for the development of humanity”, he added.
Honouring excellence in teaching was one of the most iconic moments of the ceremony. More than 240 professors were honoured and praised by the presidents of the Departments, who sent their congratulations by video.
“I am very honoured to receive this award. Técnico inspires and encourages professors to be better” professor Sofia Sá, winner of IST Outstanding Teaching Award
Professors Gabriel Pires (1st study cycle) and Sofia Sá (2nd study cycle) were the winners of the “IST Outstanding Teaching Award”.
Professor Gabriel Pires shared two concerns that worry him: “mathematics is being reduced in course contents”; and “the need to create fairness and equity in online assessment in order to prevent fraud”.
“I share this award with my students who, at the end of classes, give me feedback that helps me to learn and adjust my teaching”, said professor Sofia Sá. “I am very honoured to receive this award. Técnico inspires and encourages professors to be better”, she adds.
“Universidade de Lisboa has demonstrated that knowledge and science, but also enthusiasm and the sense of responsibility are fundamental for Portugal’s continuous development” said professor António Cruz Serra, rector of Universidade de Lisboa ( ULisboa).
The rector shared his desire that everything return to normal as soon as possible, “the University will do everything to provide an education as normal as possible”.
The 109th anniversary was also celebrated with several alumni, representatives of Técnico partner network, students, professors, researchers and staff. António Guterres, UN Secretary-General and Técnico alumnus, left a video message “If I could turn back time I would do everything I did again, I would enter Técnico once again”.
