The first “Guiding Values Workshop – fostering an open and welcoming environment” took place on 14 April, as part of the Técnico Guiding Values Ambassadors programme. The event was coordinated by the Ombudsman’s Office and the Guiding Values Committee, and allowed ambassadors to get to know each other and participate in interactive activities, consisting of two sessions held at Técnico Innovation Center powered by Fidelidade.
“The ambassadors bring the guiding values to their workplaces, departments, institutes, and services”, said Raquel Aires Barros, Técnico’s ombudsperson, who coordinated the event. “Our idea is to consolidate the programme, make it more visible, and promote activities for sharing experiences”, she added. “We’re trying to disseminate and develop Técnico’s guiding values and, ultimately, help people identify with them”, explained Joana Cruz, one of the speakers at the workshop. “Guiding values don’t apply in exceptional moments, but in daily micro-actions”, she emphasised.
During the event, participants were invited to reflect on the behaviours and attitudes to adopt within the institution through role-playing exercises featuring practical scenarios presented to different groups, which later shared their solutions. Jorge Marques is an Electrical and Computer Engineering student, a member of the Pedagogical Council and, as an ambassador for Técnico’s guiding values, he considers “very important” to train and empower ambassadors “so they can play an active role in the community”. Marta Brites, an ambassador for Técnico’s guiding values at the Computational Infrastructures Division, believes that these initiatives allow her to “meet colleagues, build more relationships, and understand different perspectives on situations one might encounter in daily life at Técnico”.
The Técnico Guiding Values Ambassadors programme was launched in March 2025 and currently has about 70 ambassadors who promote the values of Respect, Collaboration, Excellence, Integrity, and Innovation through initiatives like this one.
“Guiding Values – fostering an open and welcoming environment”
