At the entrance of the Lisbon International Fair (FIL) in Parque das Nações, the atmosphere buzzes with activity: voices mingle, groups of students move between exhibition stands, and questions echo in various corridors: “Which course should I choose?” On March 11, the first day of the 17th edition of Futurália, thousands of basic and secondary school students visit the fair, which is dedicated to education, training, and employability, searching for guidance to help them decide their academic future.
In the central area of the Universidade de Lisboa exhibition stand, there is a space dedicated to Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa. Course maps, bookmarks for 18 undergraduate programmes (and an integrated master’s programme) and small scientific demonstrations capture the attention of visitors, who approach to ask about admission requirements, national exams, or simply to better understand “what it means to study engineering”.
Rafael, a 10th-grade student at a secondary school in Greater Lisbon, approaches the Técnico stand with determination. Although there is still some time before he applies for higher education and he has already decided, he shares, “I wanted to learn more about the Undergraduate Programme in Computer Science and Engineering, and the opportunities available,” he explains.
His interest in the field began early, with computers and programming. Now, he wants to understand how this curiosity can be turned into an academic path. “More than just learning about the subjects, I am interested in knowing about students’ projects and experiences they have during the course”, he adds. “Talking directly to those who already study at Técnico helps me to better understand what everyday life is like”.
A few metres away, Constança and Beatriz, 11th-grade students from Estoril, shared that the visit has a more immediate goal: to decide which national exams to take this year. “It’s difficult because there are so many options and possible combinations”, explains Constança. “We’re trying to figure out which study fields interest us and what kind of training will be in most demand in the future”. Among the possibilities, they are considering enrolling in the Undergraduate Programme in Industrial Engineering and Management at Técnico.
While some conversations focus on study plans and admission averages, others revolve around practical demonstrations. In the space dedicated to showcasing the Undergraduate Programme in Materials Engineering, Amélia Almeida, a professor at Técnico, shares examples of medical applications developed with special metal alloys.
Among the exhibits is a hip prosthesis and a small metal structure that illustrates a specific phenomenon: when deformed, it returns to its original shape upon exposure to a heat source. “These shape memory alloys are used in various medical devices, including instruments used in procedures such as catheterisation”, she explains. When asked about her presence at Futurália, she highlights “raising awareness of opportunities” and “showcasing the various career options” in a field that is experiencing “rapid growth”.
“Engineering is increasingly linked to complex problems that require the integration of knowledge from various fields”
Elsewhere at the stand, amid laughter and comments, a group of students watches intently at a screen where a small bee tries to defend its hive from invaders. The game is part of a series of projects developed by Técnico students as part of the Master’s Programme in Computer Science and Engineering, applied to the Técnico Games Laboratory. “Try to dodge earlier”, suggests Tiago Santana, a Master’s student, while Eva, a member of a group of students from Elvas, tries to overcome the challenge.
The score rises quickly – 200, 400, 700 points – until it reaches 900. “All these games were developed by students” points out Tiago Santana. “These projects combine programming, design and teamwork. For those interested in pursuing computer science, the ability to create something from scratch – from the initial idea to the final product – often sparks a great deal of curiosity.
While some try out the games, others seek answers to questions about different engineering branches. João, an 11th-grade student at a school in Alcabideche, shares “my goal is to better understand the differences between the study programmes and the type of work of each ‘engineer’”. At the moment, he is considering applying for Técnico, but he is hesitating between Mechanical Engineering and Electronics Engineering. “I like technology and understanding how systems work. This visit has helped me understand which one is closest to what I want to do in the future”.
Among the visitors are also teachers accompanying school groups. Carmo Nunes, a Biology and Geology teacher at Benavente Secondary School, believes that visiting the fair is very important for students’ decision-making process. “For many students, this is the first direct contact with different institutions and fields of study”, she says. Among those who have made up their minds and those who are undecided, the teacher admits that the important thing about the day “is that [her] students can gather information and reflect on their options before making a decision”, and stresses that Técnico “is a reference for many students interested in engineering”.
Throughout the day, the Técnico exhibition stand will also feature presentation sessions of the new training programmes. Miguel Teixeira, a professor at Técnico and the president of the Pedagogical Council, will be on hand to answer questions about the Undergraduate Programme in General Engineering, which will be accepting applications for the first time in the next national call for public higher education. “Engineering is increasingly linked to complex problems that require the integration of knowledge from various fields”, he explains. “This course was designed to provide a solid foundation in science and engineering, allowing students to specialise later in their studies after exploring different subjects”. According to the professor, the approach favours project work and contact with real-world challenges. “We want to train engineers who are capable of working in multidisciplinary teams and responding to problems that we don’t even know exactly what they will be yet”.
At the end of the afternoon, the flow of visitors remains constant. Some pass by quickly, gather information and move on. Others stay longer, talk to Técnico students and professors who share their experiences of classes, projects, international mobility programmes and research opportunities. Until 14 March, Futurália will provide a platform where questions about academic futures can be addressed, with answers coming from those who are already on that path at Técnico. Professors and students (1st Cycle) will be present at Futurália on a rotating basis to share their experience and knowledge. Throughout the event, students from the Student Support Office (NAPE) will be on hand to answer any questions visitors may have.
Técnico’s presence in Futurália 2026.
