Next to the tennis courts at Alameda campus, Manuel and Sancha, members of Técnico Students’ Union, make a review of the week. “The new students are very excited to be here”, says Manuel. Sancha, who is participating for the first time in the Welcome Week, shares that on the fifth day of the event they are already beginning to recognise some faces. “These students have already come to the evening social events several times and are beginning to understand that the atmosphere at the school isn’t as ‘rigid’ as they thought”, she says.

The presentation sessions that took place on the last day of the week were Engineering in Mining and Energy Resources, Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, Materials Engineering and Computer Science and Engineering. During these sessions, the new students got to know the coordinator and professors of their study programme, as well as the tutor they have been assigned, who will monitor their academic performance. However, in the morning and even before these sessions, the students had the opportunity to get to know the different spaces where they will be studying over the next few years.

The new students met their mentors in the Main Building. While waiting for her turn in the queue, Maria Inês says “ever since I was little, I never wanted to be a doctor or a hairdresser. I’ve always loved computers, cell phones and technology”. She knew from an early age that she wanted to study these areas and her first contact with a programming course in 12th grade confirmed her interest. A few months later, she got into Computer Science and Engineering. She shares that her goal, throughout secondary school, “was to get into Técnico”.

Further along, students can find the Student Group Fair, where older students present the activities they organise as a group. Matilde, at the stall of one of these student initiatives, is waiting for the opportunity to welcome the next group of new students. She’s pleased with the enthusiasm they’ve brought – “people are very receptive to listening to us and getting to know the work the nuclei have been doing,” she says. She believes that “the profile of a student who comes to Técnico is someone who is very motivated, someone who wants to be good not only in class but also in extracurricular activities”.

Constança is an example of this – she got into Materials Engineering and, at the same time, she’s “interested in academic sport” because she plays volleyball. She explains that she chose Técnico because “it’s very prestigious and offers a lot of opportunities”. The Welcome Week showed her that “the people at Técnico are very open and friendly”, and she says she’s excited to start her classes.

After five days of welcoming activities, the new students, mentors, members of the student support unit, professors and other members of the Técnico community have shown their dedication and will to face the academic year ahead. As the Welcome Week comes to an end, a new academic life full of challenges is about to start which, with the help of tutors and mentors, the new students will certainly be able to overcome.

The welcome ceremony for all students will take place on Monday, September 11, at 1p.m., in front of the Main Building, at Alameda campus.