“We appreciate all the effort you put into our future.” These were the words of Gustavo Sousa, speaking on behalf of the undergraduate students in Mining and Energy Resources Engineering, at the 2nd edition of the Recursos+ Scholarship Award Ceremony, held on October 20 in the Great Hall of Técnico’s Alameda campus. The scholarship programme, promoted by the Department of Mineral and Energy Resources EnIgineering (DER), is a collaboration between Técnico and companies in the sector. Its goal is to support students and connect education with real-world business needs while promoting training aligned with the requirements of the energy transition.
The Recursos+ Scholarships have been awarded for two academic years. In 2024/2025, 15 scholarships were given to students, with 9 renewals and 12 new scholarships awarded this year to students accepted into their first-choice course. In addition to providing financial support that covers full tuition fees, the scholarships establish a direct link between students and the productive sector, offering an opportunity to engage more closely with the job market.
The ceremony brought together students, professors, and representatives from partner companies, and highlighted the crucial role of engineering in addressing the challenges of energy transition. Rogério Colaço, the president of Técnico, emphasised that “the connection to society and companies has been part of the School’s identity since its foundation”. He noted that Técnico was established “with the mission of training individuals capable of collaborating with companies to promote economic and social development”. According to the president, this spirit of collaboration “continues to inspire moments like this with significance, transforming knowledge into value for the country”.
Pedro Amaral, the Vice-President for Corporate Interface, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship, also highlighted the dual significance of the scholarships. “They recognise the talent of our students and demonstrate that anyone who wants to make a difference in this field has a place to grow and contribute”, he said, stressing that the programme symbolises “a mutual commitment between students and companies”.
According to Maria João Pereira, the Head of the DER, the Recursos+ programme symbolises the dynamics of a sector undergoing significant transformations. “It represents an active, modern and transformative sector that invests in new talent and believes that training is the basis for all change”, she said, reinforcing that “Técnico and the DER have a responsibility to train future engineers, capable of responding to these transformations”.
The company representatives shared the same opinion. Carlos Russo, from partner epos, highlighted the importance of knowledge in building a sustainable future. “We believe that knowledge is the most powerful tool for fulfilling our mission. These scholarships allow us to contribute to a more sustainable future”, he said. He also left a message of encouragement to the scholarship recipients: “Enjoy every class, every project, every challenge. Be curious, ask questions and seek opportunities – there are a vast number of companies waiting for you. The world needs your energy, because the energy of the future does not come only from the Sun, the wind and the Earth, it also comes from your own energy”.
