The Heart Asks Pleasure First – Michael Nyman’s composition was the first piece performed by Miguel Ayala Botto, a professor at Instituto Superior Técnico, on the upright piano inaugurated at the Técnico Innovation Center, powered by Fidelidade. This performance was part of the tributes honouring the 114th anniversary of Técnico, celebrated on 23 May during the event “Dia do Técnico”.
“Whereas 30 years ago we exported unskilled labour, today we export highly qualified talent that is in demand by all the major multinationals and technology companies in Europe and around the world”, said Rogério Colaço, the president of Técnico, in one of the speeches that marked the celebrations. “I like to think that Técnico was an important part of this transformation”, he added also defending the contemporary role of teaching – “knowledge, training and the promotion of a critical and sceptical spirit, as science teaches us, are the ultimate instruments of sovereignty, justice and development, but also of personal freedom and the guarantee of a future with peace, freedom, prosperity and humanity for us and our descendants”.
On the same morning, the community’s academic proficiency was celebrated with the awarding of Academic Excellence Diplomas to two hundred undergraduate and master’s degree students, as well as Outstanding Teaching Diplomas awarded to two hundred professors.“They receive their diplomas because they are truly excellent,” said the president of the Pedagogical Council, Miguel Teixeira. “There’s no better way to celebrate the success of professors and students today”, he added. Laura Zappavigna, vice-president of the Pedagogical Council and a Técnico student, emphasised that “what truly defines a Técnico student goes far beyond grades—at Técnico, excellence also encompasses curiosity, the initiative to step outside the classroom, and distinction in projects, laboratories, and competitions.”
The 1st and 2nd cycle graduates were represented by Leonor Gonçalves (who remarked that “studying at Técnico was an opportunity for growth in multiple directions”) and Duarte Silva (who highlighted the value of extracurricular experiences at the school), respectively. Hugo Tavares (who shared that “Técnico is a great place to work; I believe the conditions here are unparalleled at the national level”) and André Furtado (who stressed that the essential thing in teaching is to “teach with passion and motivate with authenticity”) were the recipients of the Técnico Excellence in Teaching Award in the 1st and 2nd cycles, respectively.
The morning session also included the first edition of the “José Tribolet Award for Digital Innovation in Education, powered by Deloitte”, awarded to Daniel Gonçalves.
Academic excellence and distinction (decorated with paintings and to the sound of music)
A day of celebration is not just about speeches. The afternoon began with the inauguration of the exhibition “Art with Science”, by Leonel Moura, in the atrium of the Técnico Innovation Center, which features ‘painting robots’, and ended with the launch of the book “Ideias sobre Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior pela Comunidade Do Instituto Superior Técnico: janeiro de 2021 a dezembro 2024”, a compilation of opinion pieces by members of the school community.
The afternoon of 23 May also included a solemn session honouring the recently retired employees and those who have completed 25 years of service, as well as newly hired members or those who have recently progressed in their careers. Iria Fernandes, a technical and administrative employee, took the opportunity to share her “46 years working in this house”. It’s “almost half a century of professional life dedicated to Técnico”, which “has never been just a place of work – it has been and continues to be a real school of life”.
António Jarmela, president of the Técnico Students’ Union, gathered students, professors, researchers, and staff with a shared goal: “We [the members of the school community] are most invested in ensuring that Técnico remains the top engineering, technology, and science school in Portugal.” Evidence of this quality was showcased through the Diplomas for Excellence in Teaching and Academic Success, which were personally delivered to the heads of the 11 departments.
Two Técnico professors were awarded with the title of Distinguished Professor 2025. Teresa Peña was awarded in recognition of her scientific career in theoretical nuclear physics, her contributions to Técnico’s pedagogical modernisation and academic and scientific management, as well as her dedication to scientific dissemination and advanced training, which have projected Técnico at national and international level. The professor recalled the “four women distinguished in previous years” with the same title, confessing her “immense honour” to join them.
José Santos-Victor, for his part, was awarded for his contributions to scientific leadership and advanced training in computer vision and bio-inspired robotics, as well as university management at Técnico, which have given the institution national and international visibility. The professor highlighted the presence of a “strong culture” at the School, which he considers to be essential to the implementation of a strategy in any organisation.
Part of Técnico’s strong culture is its Guiding Values – integrity, respect, innovation, collaboration and excellence – which were recalled by the School’s Ombudsman Raquel Aires Barros, in a speech marking the Técnico Ambassadors Programme. “With this programme, we aim to inspire and empower a group of people from the community, the Values Ambassadors, so that they can bring these qualities to life” within academic activity.
According to the rector of Universidade de Lisboa, Luís Ferreira, this was “another year of service to society” and “another year in which the Técnico community worked hard to overcome the challenges and many difficulties that always have to be overcome”. Speaking in a “ritual filled with symbolism”, on an “important date” and “celebrated with honour”, the rector considers that “with 114 years of existence, Técnico is a national and European reference engineering school”. The rector also underlined the role of the research centres and associate laboratories in this success. Like many other speakers that day, Luís Ferreira ended his speech by echoing the message that had brought all people there – congratulating Técnico.
The celebration continued with music performances by Grupo de Cantares Tradicionais, Tuna Mista, Tuna Feminina and Tuna Universitária do Técnico, while two large birthday cakes were sliced, marking the conclusion of the 114 years of existence of the largest school of architecture, engineering, science, and technology in Portugal. The festivities didn’t end there; the Great Hall would also host the Técnico Alumni Gala 2025, where the Técnico Alumni awards would be presented.
