“The world has changed”. This is how Nuno Nunes, a professor at Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, and coordinator of the Undergraduate Programme in General Engineering (GENI), describes the launch of the new programme. GENI is set to begin in September 2026 and will be “taught entirely in English, for the first time in Portugal”.
With 30 spots for domestic students and another 20 reserved for international students, the new undergraduate programme is being launched amid a rapid technological and scientific transformation, seeking to address challenges that are “increasingly interdisciplinary and global”. The programme combines a solid foundation in the basic sciences (mathematics, physics, chemistry, computer science, quantitative methods, and basic sciences) with progressive exposure to various branches of engineering (placing a strong emphasis on artificial intelligence, computer skills, and modern learning methodologies), allowing students to “build their own flexible path”. The idea is to provide students with the scientific foundations to understand complex systems and the digital tools that permeate all stages of modern engineering.
“We live in a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous era”, says Nuno Nunes. “The current challenges, such as climate change, the energy transition, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology, require engineers to blend foundational domain knowledge with interdisciplinary skills”.
The new undergraduate programme draws inspiration from international models such as Olin College of Engineering in the United States and the Singapore University of Technology and Design, established in collaboration with MIT. Common elements of these models include a focus on project-based learning, interdisciplinary integration, and solving real-world problems from the very beginning of the programme.
“The programme offers students time to explore, experiment, and decide”, adds the professor. “A solid foundation in the fundamental sciences, combined with computational thinking and exposure to various branches of engineering, allows for informed choices in the third year”, he adds.
The curriculum offers a common foundational education in mathematics, physics, programming, and computational thinking, complemented by curricular units and multidisciplinary projects. Proposed solutions include the integration of basic sciences, integrative projects developed throughout the programme, and curricular units dedicated to Future Engineering Technologies.
Beyond its international scope, marked by instruction in English and openness to international students, the programme is also designed as a “space for pedagogical experimentation within the School”. Nuno Nunes emphasises that “the goal is not to abandon what works but to complement it with approaches that have been proven to better prepare engineers for an unpredictable future”.
“The challenges of modern engineering require professionals with a broad vision and the ability to integrate various areas of knowledge. This undergraduate programme was designed to give students a solid foundation and, at the same time, the freedom to build a path aligned with their motivations and ambitions”, says Miguel Cacho Teixeira, president of the Pedagogical Council at Técnico. “The strong practical component and early exposure to real-world problems are essential for preparing more autonomous and collaborative engineers, and also better prepared for constantly changing contexts. It is also a great opportunity to internationalise the high standards of engineering at Técnico, promoting an increasingly multicultural environment that benefits the entire campus”, he adds.
