To welcome, to train, to strengthen skills, to inspire. That is what the “IST Shaping the Future” programme is really about. The programme is aimed at professors and assistant professors who have just joined Técnico, and this year’s edition started on 8th September, at CTN campus.
The Técnico professors, researchers and staff shared experiences and strategies and promoted their services, which will help to reinforce the skills of the 14 trainees.
The president of Técnico, professor Rogério Colaço, the Vice-president of Técnico for the Management of CTN campus, Dr. José Marques, the president of the Scientific Council (CC), professor Rodrigo Miragaia Rodrigues, and the president of the Pedagogical Council (CP), professor Teresa Peña, congratulated the new faculty members and researchers.
“Get out of your offices, take your students outside, bring real challenges to your laboratories, look at the outside world, make contact with companies and other stakeholders, see how your research can benefit the country and the world”, said professor Rogério Colaço.
According to the president of Técnico, professors can stimulate “students’ interest and curiosity”, and “teach them different ways of looking at information”.
Some ice breaking exercises on trainees’ interactions took place during the first day. The trainees were challenged by the Academic Development Office (NDA) to make themselves known, through a postcard of a painting chosen randomly.
Two inspiring leaders
Paulo Ferrão, professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering (DEM) and president of IN+, took talked about “Academic Leadership”. “A leader has to set an example. A leader has to believe and to be sure about what to do next, to stimulate a team, to listen, to understand the purpose of the people around”, he said.
“Being a leader requires some sacrifice. It’s about giving up things you wanted to do if you weren’t in that position. A good leader feels fulfilled when he/she sees that the group’s common goals are being accomplished”, said the DEM professor. Professor Paulo Ferrão left several pieces of advice to the future leaders: “Being a leader requires dedication, work, thinking and open-mindedness”.
During the afternoon, the trainees had the opportunity to learn about professor Luis Oliveira e Silva’s inspiring path. The IST professor at the Department of Physics (DF), researcher at the Institute for Plasmas and Nuclear Fusion (IPFN) and president of the School Assembly, talked about “Perspectives on Career Development”. “You can’t achieve anything without hard work” he said several times. “Set ambitious but realistic goals”. “If I want to predict the future, I must have a model that will help me develop the next steps. Development plans are critical when we’re talking about career development”, he added.
“The relationship that I have with the people I work with and with my former students is very important to me. I like to see people grow and develop their potential, and contribute to the development of Técnico”, said professor Luis Oliveira e Silva.
“Teaching is a privilege, that is why we must reflect on what are our responsibilities. You are the Técnico representatives in the classroom, you transmit the school image, values and culture to our students”.
The “IST Shaping the Future” programme continues this Thursday and Friday, 9th and 10th of September.
