This Monday, the Pedagogical Council at Técnico organised the Diploma Award Ceremony for Academic Excellence and Academic Merit, which was attended by over one hundred of students. Professors, coordinators of courses and families also attended the event.

“We are proud to have the country’s best students at Técnico” said professor Arlindo Oliveira, President of Técnico, in the opening session. “The students really deserve this diploma”. “Excellence”, “intellectual skills” and “effort” were some of the words used by the President in his speech. “We are here today to award the best of the best”, said professor Arlindo Oliveira noting the importance of “mutual help and healthy competition among students”.

According to Nuno Guerreiro, student vice-president of Pedagogic Council, who was also awarded with academic merit, “these students make Técnico a prestigious school”. He ended his speech adapting a famous quote from Malala Yousafzai, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2016: “one book, one pen, one professor from Técnico, one student from Técnico can change the world”.

Professor Luís Oliveira e Silva, President of the Scientific Council, highlighted that Técnico’s students “have the ability to change the world” and that “Técnico is a school that educates leaders”. “We know that you have to work hard to be here and we expect that you can achieve more and more”, he noted.

Professor Raquel Aires-Barros, President of Pedagogic Council, recalled that “merit should be exalted and recognised” and congratulated the awarded students who “are also involved in extracurricular activities and acquire skills that go beyond the classroom”.

The best students from 1st cycle, 2nd cycle and integrated cycles of the 2015/2016 academic year received the diplomas and will remind themselves of this day and what is like to be among the best.