The ceremony to confer the title of Emeritus Professor of Universidade de Lisboa to professor Ricardo Bayão Horta took place this Wednesday, 26th October, at Instituto Superior Técnico.
Professor Arlindo Oliveira, president of Técnico, took the opportunity to thank professor Ricardo Bayão Horta “for all he has done for Técnico. He created a school, a culture and a tradition”. “Thank you for all your dedication and your professional rigour, which inspired all of us. Congratulations for this distinction.”
The audience could hear, for nearly two hours, words of praise to Ricardo Bayão about his academic, professional and political life. According to Rodrigo Lino Santos, the last PhD student of the honoured professor, this is a “well-deserved” distinction. “I am very proud to be here today and share this moment with the professor”, he said.
Professor Rogério Colaço, vice-president of Técnico, also addressed a few words to his mentor, with whom he learnt “almost everything”. “I feel privileged to have met him.”
General Rocha Vieira, Dr. Rui Machete and general Ramalho Eanes, former president of the Portuguese Republic, also attended the ceremony, remembering particular moments spent together with Ricardo Bayão Horta.
At the closing session, professor Bayão Horta thanked the audience and made an emotional speech. “it is with great emotion that I receive this honourable distinction. I would like to thank, from the bottom of my heart, all who had this idea and who organised this ceremony. I feel deeply honoured by your presence.”
Ricardo Bayão Horta finished his degree in Industrial Chemical Engineering, from Instituto Superior Técnico, in 1959. He completed his MSc and PhD at the University of Birmingham. He is Full Professor at Instituto Superior Técnico since 1979.
He was a lecturer in different departments at Técnico and focused his academic activity on the interaction between University and Industry. He was the founder of Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia de Materiais.
He held several political positions throughout his career in the fields of Industry and Energy. He was Secretary of State for Energy and Mining. He was Minister three times: Minister for Industry and Energy, Minister for Industry, Energy and Exportations and, finally, Minister of National Defence.
Professor Bayão Horta was decorated with the Grand Cross of the Military Order of Christ and received several international awards.
