About a month ago, the IST Best Practices Observatory (ObservIST) announced the Best Practices of the year 2021. This Tuesday, November 16, the ObservIST invited the Técnico community to participate in the 2nd part of the 4th ObservIST Meeting, which focused on the challenges ahead: people integration of and pedagogical innovation.
Luís Castro, professor at the IST Department of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Georesources and Vice-rector of Universidade de Lisboa (ULisboa), played a very important role in ObservIST consolidation. The professor recalled that 70 best practices were already recognised, and stressed “it’s very important to make these projects known as a way of inspiring others”. “In addition to share best practices, this Observatory has also allowed to disseminate our work abroad”, he added.
Several topics were addressed in the 1st round table moderated by professor Alexandre Francisco, Vice-president of IST for Academic Affairs, such as some best practices that already exist at Técnico, namely best practices to welcome and integrate students, professors, researchers, technical and administrative staff .
Participants in this round table: Carla Boura, representative of the Support Service for Students with Special Educational Needs at Técnico Lisboa – GENEE, Carolina Ferreira, coordinator of the Student Support Unit (NAPE) responsible for implementing the Mentoring Programme and the Orientation Week, Dulce Belo, researcher at the Department of Nuclear Sciences and Engineering, and representative of the “Social C2TN” best practice, and Gonçalo Moura, member of the Academic Development Office (NDA) responsible for coordinating the Tutoring Programme and “Shaping The Future”.
Raquel Aires Barros, professor at the IST Department of Bioengineering (DBE), moderated the 2nd round table that focused on the best pedagogical practices recognised in teaching. Ana Moura Santos, professor at the Department of Mathematics (DM), presented the evolution of the MOOC@Técnico platform and how it has adjusted in times of pandemic. Beatriz Silva, professor at the IST Department of Mechanical Engineering (DEM), highlighted the benefits of the workshop “Master’s Dissertation. Do you accept the challenge?” and its modules. The NDA coordinator, Isabel Gonçalves, explained how the “Soft Skills NDA” initiative helps students to develop transversal skills “by combining engineering and psychology”.
Luísa Coheur, professor at the IST Department of Computer Science and Engineering, presented the best practice titled “EscapulISTe? Escape Rooms com estudantes da LEIC”, and Helena Gomes, professor at IST DECivil, presented the best practice titled “Conservação e Restauro: abordagens, projetos e obras”.
The audience praised the work carried out and highlighted some areas requiring improvement and action.
At the end of the meeting, professor Alexandre Francisco encouraged participants to share more best practices and combine them with the already existing ones. “I suggest you to try to combine these various best practices, through communication and information sharing, because this will enrich your work”.
