On 10 April, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, celebrated the signing of new career progression contracts for 24 faculty and researchers. The ceremony took place at Técnico Innovation Center powered by Fidelidade.
“We are a privileged generation, well-positioned to keep pace with the 4th technological revolution”, said Rogério Colaço, President of Técnico, also emphasising the importance of renewing Técnico’s teaching staff. As the School approaches its 115th anniversary, he recalled that the institution has always had the “mission of training individuals both technically and scientifically”, in collaboration with all members of the community. Given the current global socio-political climate, he appealed to everyone’s sense of social responsibility and underscored the need to preserve the “DNA of Técnico,” which “has always promoted a free, critical, and objective exchange of ideas”.
Pedro Brogueira, President of the Scientific Council, mentioned that this event is “essentially about celebration”. He recognised the “talent of the students” and stressed the importance of inspiring them to “strive for more”. He noted that new appointments allow researchers to benefit from a four-hour reduction in their weekly teaching workload for three years, aimed at enhancing the research component. Pedro Brogueira challenged the new faculty to “take a chance and become part of the community” and urged professors who have progressed in their careers to embrace new challenges: “Dreams are particularly important; the more we dream, the better Técnico becomes”. For Luís Oliveira e Silva, President of the School Council, the ceremony marked a “new beginning”, as the formalisation of contracts provides an “excellent opportunity” to reflect on roles within the institution. “We, the professors, are the face of Técnico; through our example, we convey the values of the institution and the community”, he stated. He concluded his speech by wishing all staff a fresh start, “marked by ambition, a sense of mission, and joy”.
In line with the speech that preceded his own, Luís Lemos Alves, Coordinator for the Monitoring and Development of Faculty and Researchers, remarked that the signing of these contracts “marks a step forward in the careers and lives of our staff, and for Técnico itself”. He also highlighted the opportunities offered by the Shaping the Future programme and advised new faculty members to apply for this initiative, which annually “broadens horizons” and transforms careers.
Miguel Cacho Teixeira, President of the Pedagogical Council, called for a pedagogical paradigm shift. “It is impossible to teach without conducting research”, he stated, referring to the teaching workload reduction granted to enhance research activities. He added that the change will allow for “investing in better teaching and research”. After congratulating the new faculty members, he made clear the institution’s confidence: “we are counting on you and your excellent ideas”.
Newly hired Faculty and Researchers:
Department of Bioengineering:
- Jorge Humberto Gomes Leitão (Full Professor)
- Tina Keller Costa (Assistant Professor)
Department of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment
- José Alexandre De Brito Aleixo Bogas (Full Professor)
- José Dinis Silvestre (Full Professor)
- Carlos Manuel Tiago Tavares Fernandes (Associate Professor)
- Francisco Manuel Caldeira Pinto Teixeira Bastos (Associate Professor)
- José Joaquim Costa Branco de Oliveira Pedro (Associate Professor)
Department of Nuclear Sciences and Engineering
- Luís Miguel Mato Ferreira (Principal Investigator)
- Paula Alexandra Galego Fernandes (Principal Investigator)
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
- João Filipe Pereira Fernandes (Associate Professor)
- José João Henriques Teixeira de Sousa (Associate Professor)
- Pedro Miguel Batista de Sousa Correia da Costa (Assistant Professor)
- Zita Alexandra Magalhães Marinho (Assistant Professor)
Department of Engineering and Management
- Maria Margarida Martelo Catalão Lopes de Oliveira Pires Pina (Full Professor)
- João Manuel Jorge Estevão (Assistant Professor)
Department of Mechanical Engineering
- Filipa Andreia de Matos Moleiro (Associate Professor)
- Patrícia de Carvalho Baptista (Associate Professor)
- Manuel de Figueiredo Cravo Relvas Sardinha (Assistant Professor)
- Miguel Ângelo Cortez Teixeira (Assistant Professor)
Department of Chemical Engineering
- João Paulo Costa Tomé (Full Professor)
Department of Mineral and Energy Resources Engineering
- José Manuel Vaz Velho Barbosa Marques (Full Professor)
- Leonardo Azevedo Guerra Raposa Pereira (Full Professor)
Department of Physics
- Susana Isabel Pinheiro Cardoso de Freitas (Full Professor)
- Philipp Alexander Kempski (Assistant Professor)
