A session prepared by Técnico, for the community of Técnico, which began at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 23rd, the day on which “111 years of history are fulfilled. A path full of challenges, which kept the school together”, was how Pedro Amaral, vice president of Técnico, professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering (DEM) and responsible for Business Connections and Operations began the first intervention of the morning, highlighting teaching and research, in an era in which digital increasingly occupies a prominent place in society,  at a time when the Técnico partner network has almost 25 companies “that contribute decisively to supporting students, developing talent and accelerating innovation”.

The intervention of Gonçalo Mamede, President of the Student Association (AEIST), recalled the creation of the Técnico by Alfredo Bensaúde, who at the time of the creation of this school, had not idea that “he would be designing a trasformation of Portuguese higher education model”.  A tribute was followed to the 33 mentors of Técnico, who accompanied the new teachers and auxiliary researchers, in the beginning of their careers.

Teresa Peña, president of the pedagogical council of Técnico, gave an introduction on the awards of excellence for the 1st and 2nd cycles, clarifying that “the winners are selected exclusively by the students”. In the 1st cycle, Francisco João Duarte Correia dos Santos, professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering (DEI) were awarded. And, in the 2nd cycle, Professor João Manuel de Freitas Xavier of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (DEEC).

Then, more than 300 Diplomas of excellence were delivered to several teachers, divided by the departments of Bioengineering, Civil Engineering, Architecture and Georesources, Engineering and Nuclear Sciences, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Engineering and Management, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics and Mathematics.

After a short break, the intervention of Paulo Rodrigues, a non-teaching employee, who has been at Técnico for ten years, followed the motto for the tribute to workers with 25 years of service and retirees. 19 employees were honored.

Professor Rogério Colaço, president of Técnico, dedicated his first words to the students, saying that “they are the best that the country has. And it’s in you that lies the hope of a better future that, today, symbolically begins here.” He then also talked about the resilience of teachers in a time of a pandemic situation, which required the adaptation of all, and reinforced his feeling of joy when seeing the Noble Hall full to welcome the celebration of this day.

Isabel Prudêncio, coordinating researcher of the Técnico and president of the Department of Engineering and Nuclear Sciences (DECN), who has developed research in the area of the environment and cultural heritage and participated in several multidisciplinary projects of national and international nature, was mentioned with the title of Distinguished Researcher 2022. Manuel Heitor, professor of the Department of Mechanical Engineering (DEM), with the title of Honoris Causa, awarded by Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), (former Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education) was also mentioned in the category of Distinguished Professor 2022. Both expressed their thanks to teachers, researchers, technicians, staff and all those who contributed to the development of their scientific work throughout their careers.

The Mayor of Lisbon, engineer Carlos Moedas, sent a video message to all the presents, given his impossibility of attending the event in person. He thanked “Professor Rogério Colaço for his leadership and inspiration” and mentioned that Técnico was and always will be his school, referring to it as a “community of students (males and females), of men and women who have a dream: change the world.”

The Rector of the University of Lisbon, Professor Luís Ferreira, also made an intervention indicating that “there are many challenges facing universities” mentioning the legislative changes, saying that it’s up to the government to give universities their contribution so that “we have more stable and accessible laws”. He also mentioned the existence of complex challenges that integrate political, technological and social areas.

In closing, the Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education, Professor Elvira Fortunato said that it was “an honor to be able to intervene in the session that marks the 111 years of the Instituto Superior Técnico” highlighting the school as an example in Portugal and abroad.

The solemn session was just the beginning of a range of initiatives that marked the celebration of Técnico birthday. From the community abroad, the celebrations continued in the afternoon until the evening, with an Open Day.

Access the event’s image gallery.