Instituto Superior Técnico has strengthened its commitment to free online education by launching three new MOOC Técnico courses in 2025, thus expanding the training offer for different audiences.
The MOOC Técnico “Everyday Science” aims to promote scientific literacy for the general public by explaining everyday phenomena, the “Photovoltaic Solar Energy” is aimed at professionals and enthusiasts in the field who want to acquire knowledge about solar energy production systems, and the “Programming: From abstraction to implementation in Python”, which is part of the PRODIGI Programme, and open to anyone interested in deepening their programming skills.
The flexibility and open access of these courses serve as a valuable tool for promoting Técnico’s teaching and research on a global scale. ‘These courses help Técnico project an image of an institution that shares knowledge and encourages European and international cooperation projects’, emphasises Ana Moura Santos, coordinator of the Técnico MOOC.
The MOOC Técnico (Massive Open Online Courses) offer is aimed at different audiences, from secondary and higher education students to professionals and adults looking to update their knowledge in scientific areas. Since its launch in 2016, the Técnico MOOC platform expanded, averaging 10 to 12 active courses each semester and accumulating a total of 36,000 enrolments.
In addition to offering new courses, the platform continues to provide access to previous ones, including those developed as part of the FOSTWOM project, such as “Machine Learning, Maths & Ethics: Hands-on” and “Women in STEM: A MOOC for Educators” both of which have been offered in several editions. The flexibility of MOOCs allows for the regular reissue of many courses, ensuring that the content remains relevant and accessible.
The MOOC Técnico courses are designed by Técnico professors and researchers, in collaboration with partner organisations, including other higher education institutions, both national and international. Some lessons from six Técnico MOOC courses have been available on Técnico’s Youtube since 2024: ‘Valores Próprios’, ‘Drone Simulation and Control’, ‘Machine Learning’, ‘Maths & Ethics: Hands-on’, ‘Epigenetics’, ‘DataScience: Classification and KDD Process’ and ‘Dynamic Energy Budgets’.
