Cards of different colours were handed out at the entrance, small groups formed in the corridors and conversations began even before the first session. The 11th edition of Shaping the Future at Técnico kicked off on 23 June at the Design Museum (MUDE) in downtown Lisbon. Attendees were invited to explore the venue, engage with the institution, and connect with the people who, over the coming years, will shape their teaching and research journeys at Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa.
“It is a demanding career in teaching and research”, said Rogério Colaço, president of Instituto Superior Técnico, reflecting on the challenges of university teaching. Recalling the transformations experienced by the academic institutions in recent decades, from adapting to distance learning during the pandemic to the impact of artificial intelligence and new technologies, he emphasised the need for continuous adaptation. “It is up to us [professors and researchers] to be prepared to respond to this change, while preserving the essential: educating people, producing knowledge and contributing to society”, he summarised.
Invited to participate in an ‘icebreaker’ activity, professors and researchers moved through the various rooms at MUDE, taking part in observation exercises and group work. As they moved through the galleries and various floors of the building, initial conversations evolved into tasks focused on analysis and the sharing of experiences, followed by roundtable discussions. The coloured cards, which identified different departments and scientific areas, now served to “connect people within the School”.
“I was already familiar with some people, but these activities gave me the opportunity to engage with colleagues I might not have interacted with on a daily basis”, said Diana Neves, a professor who has joined the Department of Mechanical Engineering (DEM) at Técnico. “With high expectations”, the professor tried “to find tools that would help her prepare for this new stage in her career”.
Hugo Magalhães, also from the DEM, appreciated the informal moments provided by the event. “These sessions provide opportunities to talk with people who are going through similar stages in their careers”, he said, also highlighting “future collaborations may emerge from these conversations”.
“These moments help to highlight challenges that are often experienced individually”
Over the course of three days, the sessions pieced together a picture of the various dimensions of an academic career. Issues relating to leadership, scientific integrity, internationalisation and the connection between teaching and research were addressed in turn, revealing the diversity of responsibilities “of academic life beyond teaching lectures and laboratory experiments”.
According to Luís Lemos Alves, Coordinator for the Monitoring and Development of Faculty and Researchers at Técnico, the Shaping the Future programme “aims to create a space where not only the institutional roles are discussed, but also the context in which these roles are carried out”. He also referred that “this process begins with encouraging interaction among participants from the very start”.
Sabbaticals abroad, prospects for career progression and the balance between teaching, research and academic management were also highlighted. At various moments, Técnico professors and researchers shared their academic journeys at international institutions and strategies to effectively organise research work. “We realised that many challenges are recurring, regardless of the scientific field”, said João Ribeiro, a professor in the Department of Mathematics (DM) at Técnico. “It is important to set priorities at different stages of one’s career and recognise that not all responsibilities can carry the same weight at the same time”, he concluded.
The participants could relate to the stories shared about the early years of teaching. Isabel Boavida, a researcher at the Civil Engineering Research and Innovation for Sustainability (CERIS) and currently a professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment (DECivil) at Técnico, emphasised that “these moments help to highlight challenges that are often experienced individually”. “Hearing about different career paths helps us to put difficulties into perspective and find strategies that can be applied in other contexts”, she said.
“I’m leaving here with new contacts and greater confidence for the years ahead”
The students’ perspective was also part of the discussion on teaching and learning. Mariana Calhegas, an alumna of the Master’s Programme in Industrial Engineering and Management at Técnico, reflected on her dissertation as part of the Capstone programme. Under the supervision of Susana Relvas, a professor at Técnico, she recalled engaging with a real-world problem and being closely involved with the business context. “Having someone who encourages you to take risks and step outside your comfort zone makes all the difference”, she shared, also emphasising the importance of the support she received throughout the project and how this “experience helped with the transition to professional life”.
In the same room where discussions about the students’ experiences and the quality of learning took place, teaching emerged as a continuously evolving process. “Teaching involves continuous reflection on how students learn and on the strategies we can develop to engage them in that process”, said Luísa Coheur, a professor at Técnico who was honoured with ULisboa’s 2025 Pedagogical Innovation Award, which recognises the merit of professors and researchers for the “consistent, reflective and well-founded use of pedagogical practices”.
On the final day, the educational component was accompanied by a presentation on the School’s existing support structures. During a roundtable session, coordinators and heads of various departments and services at Técnico answered questions raised by the participants.
“This event was important to gain a better understanding of how Técnico works and to get to know the people we can turn to in different situations”, shared Carla Costa, currently a professor in the Department of Engineering and Management (DEG) at Técnico, with some surprise “by the various teaching and research support services” at Técnico.
At the closing session, Pedro Brogueira, president of the Scientific Council, revisited the challenge posed to participants throughout the programme to ask questions, discuss ideas, and share the challenges they face in their respective academic journeys, emphasising the importance of creating a “space for them to be present, to listen, and to be heard”.
Miguel Cacho Teixeira, president of the Pedagogical Council, also highlighted the central role of teaching in academic activity. “Teaching is a fundamental part of our work and is a goal we share as a community”, he emphasised. He also stressed Técnico’s commitment to the “pedagogical training of its professors and researchers”, noting that teaching quality is directly tied to “ongoing investment in skills development and enhanced teaching practices”.
“Above all, what I take away from these three days is a more comprehensive view of the institution and the different aspects of an academic career”, summarised João Aparício, a professor who has joined the Department of Computer Science and Engineering (DEI) at Técnico. “I’m leaving here with new contacts and greater confidence for the years ahead”.
By the end of the event, participants exchanged contact details, discussed projects, and arranged future meetings. In this atmosphere of new encounters and reunions, the 11th edition of Técnico Shaping the Future concluded. This programme has, over the last decade, supported the integration of professors and researchers on probation and fostered opportunities for reflection on academic careers at Técnico.
Photo gallery (available soon)
