Técnico celebrated its 110th anniversary, this Friday, 21st May, in hybrid format. The Técnico president, professor Rogério Colaço, opened the ceremony and highlighted the capacity of Técnico community to overcome difficulties, which was crucial to face the COVID-19 pandemic. “During this time, we had to overcome ourselves. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all of you. Although the difficulties, we have been able to keep our projects on track, namely those of great strategic importance for IST”.
“Técnico has more than 15 thousand people – students, researchers and staff. Técnico’s most valuable asset is its community members, who have contributed to its continuous growth for 110 years”, said professor Rogério Colaço.
“Técnico is a pillar of our country and it is important to celebrate its anniversary. On the one hand, these celebrations contribute to consolidate Técnico’s internal cohesion and increase the sense of pride and belonging of the entire community, and on the other hand, they help to disseminate Técnico’s scientific and educational activities”, said professor Ricardo Bayão Horta, member of Técnico community for 68 years and Commissioner of the 110th Anniversary celebrations.
“Over these 110 years, successive generations have developed and deepened a culture of excellence and scientific research at Técnico, which is now recognised nationally and internationally, and has become a privileged path to the scientific, economic and social development of our country”, he added.
“I am sure that we will continue to be a reference at national and international level for the next 110 years. Técnico is an example of what higher education can, and should be: a driving force for the economic, social and technological transformation that our country needs”, said Francisco Santos, president of AEIST.
Praising Excellence
“The 14 years at the service of Técnico were the best years of my professional life”, said Daniel Santos, Building Manager at Taguspark campus, who was honoured this year. Daniel dos Santos shared that he can’t imagine himself working in another place: “I hope to continue working here for a few years, always doing my best”.
Professor Paulo Ferrão was awarded the IST Distinguished Professor Award 2021, for his numerous contributions in research, for his important role in promoting Técnico’s image abroad, for supporting the business ecosystem, and for the national and international positions he has held. “The most important thing is the people – students, colleagues and society”.
The award ceremony “IST Excellent Professors 2019/2020” included a video with messages from the Heads of IST Departments, and the names and photos of the awarded professors.
Professors Nuno Santos and Nuno Roma, received the IST Outstanding Teaching Award, 1st Cycle (BSc) and 2nd Cycle (MSc), respectively. The awards were delivered by the Rector of Universidade de Lisboa (ULisboa), professor António Cruz Serra, the president of Técnico and the president of the Pedagogical Council, professor Teresa Peña.
“Today I acknowledge that this culture of excellence and the great professors I had, increased my desire to learn more about Computer Engineering, which I then passed to my students”, said professor Nuno Santos. “I receive this award with modesty and humility. I have no more important obligation than to do the best that I can for the benefit of my students”, said professor Nuno Roma.
The President of the Republic and the Rector of ULisboa praise the impact of Técnico on national scene
“Portugal is a different country today from what it would be, if Técnico didn’t exist”, said the Rector of Universidade de Lisboa, professor António Cruz Serra.
The Rector highlighted the difficulties brought by the pandemic and praised the work developed by the Técnico community. “We have learnt a lot of things and maybe some of these things will make us work better”.
In a video message, the President of the Republic, professor Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, praised Técnico and stressed the important role of professors, researchers and students, as well as the institutional organisation.
The President recalled that he had the pleasure of being part of the working group that drafted the Técnico’s statutes. He also highlighted the “global and globalizing vision of Técnico”, but also “the strong relationship between Técnico and companies” and “the Técnico’s capacity for reinvention in order to create new fields of knowledge”.
During the ceremony, several alumni, professors and members of Técnico partner network shared their messages. The Minister of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security, Ana Mendes Godinho, and the Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education, Manuel Heitor, praised Técnico through a video message.
The “110 histórias, 110 objetos” podcast was announced during the ceremony. The ceremony also included the book launch: “Ideias Sobre Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior pela Comunidade do Instituto Superior Técnico, de Maio de 2017 a Dezembro 2020”, a compilation of opinion pieces by members of Técnico community in the Portuguese newspaper “Jornal i”.
