‘It’s great to see that the school has made such an impact’ that the family has set up a scholarship in their name, said the Vice-President of Técnico for Academic Affairs. Francisco Melo presided over the 8th ceremony to award the Engineer Augusto Ramalho Rosa Scholarships, named after the Técnico alumnus businessman. The event took place on 7 May in the Civil Engineering Building (Meeting Room) at Alameda Campus and brought together scholarship recipients, patrons and professors.
These scholarships are aimed at undergraduate and master’s students in Civil Engineering, the same field studied by Augusto Ramalho Rosa, who are facing financial difficulties. In this edition, the patron family, represented by Rita Schreck and Mariana Schreck, supported eight students.
Diogo Leitão, one of the scholarship recipients, said that this support ‘was the difference between finishing the academic year or not’. Margarida Matos Silva, who is about to complete her degree at Técnico, expressed her hope that ‘other students could benefit from this scholarship’. Vítor Valverde also left an appeal for ongoing support, which Rita Schreck, the honoured man’s daughter, assured would be considered.
Beatriz Germano reflected on the voluntary work required for these scholarships — 30 hours per semester — and how it “helped her immensely to connect with and understand new experiences.” Edgar Sousa emphasised that this support has been a “great boost” in his life and serves as an “incentive to improve his academic performance.” Also receiving scholarships for the 2024/2025 academic year were Tomás Oliveira, Pedro Carvalho, and Pedro Ruas.
The Head of the Department of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment (DECivil), Luís Oliveira Martins, said that ‘success can be transferred to the students’ and that ‘in the future they too can become patrons’. The coordinator of the Master’s Programme in Civil Engineering, Cristina Matos Silva, said she was ‘touched’ by what she had seen and that ‘these initiatives help students to dedicate themselves more to their studies’. About volunteering, she said that ‘we learn more from helping others than we realise’.
In conclusion, Jorge Saldanha Matos, coordinator of the Undergraduate Programme in Civil Engineering, pointed out that ‘a little support grows like a snowball and [can] certainly inspire others’.
António Gago, Vice-Head for Pedagogical and Curriculum Affairs at DECivil was also present at the ceremony.
