As Edward Elgar’s “Pomp and Circumstance” echoed through the Aula Magna of Universidade de Lisboa, the doors slowly opened. Behind them, approximately 300 graduates from Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, were arranged in a staircase for the 17th Graduation Day ceremony, held on February 24, 2026. This moment celebrated the accomplishments of Master’s (Integrated Cycle and 2nd Cycle) and Doctorate (3rd Cycle) graduates who had completed their studies by December 2025, marking the culmination of their academic careers in front of family, friends, and professors. The expectant silence in the room erupted into prolonged applause as the graduates entered—some emotional and others exchanging knowing glances with their loved ones in the front rows.
“Congratulations to all the new graduates”, said Rogério Colaço, president of Técnico, addressing graduates who, in a symbolic gesture marking the end of their study cycle, received their diplomas. Emphasising “the joy on our graduates faces”, he reminded that the diploma is “much more than a document”, reflecting the personal effort and support of those who accompanied each student. In a context of technological and social transformation, he called on graduates to use their knowledge “to build” a more egalitarian, prosperous future based on the social responsibility associated with education. “The future is not a product, it depends on the choices we make”, he said, concluding that “Técnico will always be your home”.
Representing the 2nd cycle graduates, Rita Mendes, now a master’s graduate in Chemical Engineering from Técnico, recalled the journey that began in 2020, marked by distance learning and uncertainty. “We started our university life during the lockdown, but we realised that Técnico is completed as a group”, she said, highlighting the role of professors, colleagues and friends in overcoming challenges. “We learnt to deal with frustration and to persevere. We entered Técnico in social isolation, but we left in unity”, she concluded, with a wave of applause that swept through the room.
Manuel Sardinha, who holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, also highlighted scientific research as a collective and continuous process. “Above all, we celebrate a process of overcoming”, he said, highlighting the importance of “error” as an instrument for building knowledge. He emphasised the importance of valuing those who do science on a daily basis and reinforced the role of research in the country’s development. “If we want strong science, it is essential to take care of those who engage with it every day”, he said. “We must continue to ask difficult questions and believe in the impact that science can have”, he appealed, addressing the intellectual responsibility of those who have completed this study cycle.
Guilherme Farinha, a Mechanical Engineering alumnus, invited to speak at the ceremony, shared his journey and encouraged graduates to embrace uncertainty. “Getting here today is no small feat. Técnico taught me how to deal with discomfort and develop resilience”, he shared. “Be hungry to learn, to create, and to do and try new things”, he said, emphasising that a degree is a starting point, not a final destination. He also highlighted the importance of an active community of alumni, capable of supporting new generations.
The rector of Universidade de Lisboa, Luís Ferreira, addressed a word of recognition to the families and reinforced the role of graduates in building the future. “Today we celebrate a learning community”, he said, reinforcing once again the importance of maintaining an active relationship with the university and with higher education. He regarded graduates are “heirs to a tradition of value”, equipped with the scientific and technical knowledge necessary to contribute to societal transformation. “While technical excellence is important, it is humanistic values that truly set you apart”, he said, encouraging continued involvement with academia and society.
With their diplomas in hand, Tiago Brogueira, a master’s graduate in Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Inês Castelhano, a master’s graduate in Biomedical Engineering, described the moment as a combination of “enthusiasm” and “expectation”. “It was five years of intense work and growth. There is a great sense of achievement, but also the awareness that a new stage is about to begin”, said Inês, highlighting the challenge of entering the job market after a “demanding and well-structured” academic career.
For Tiago, the ceremony brought a feeling of nostalgia and gratitude. He recalled the long nights spent working on group projects, as “demanding moments that, seen from a distance, become the best memories” and emphasised the role of the human relationships built along the way. Looking ahead to the future, they both express that, during the transition from the beginning of their professional careers to a moment of reflection before deciding on their next steps, they will carry with them “the friendships, the lessons learnt, and the sense of community” that characterised their time at Técnico.
The ceremony ended with a musical and dance performance by Tuna Feminina do Instituto Superior Técnico (TFIST). In the lobby, amid reunions, flower bouquets and diplomas, the recent graduates continued the celebration with family and friends, capturing the moment in photographs that marked the end of a journey and the beginning of a new stage.
A journey of six decades
Among the graduates, Carlos Pereira took to the stage to prolonged applause, having completed his degree in Mechanical Engineering at Técnico at the age of 78. “I got into Técnico in 1966, but I ended up not completing my studies. I developed other activities and the study was left behind”, recalled Carlos, who was a classmate of Mariano Gago, physicist and former Minister for Science, Technology and Higher Education in Portugal.
Over the years, he combined his interest in engineering with sport and his professional life. “I devoted myself to karate. I was president of the Portuguese Karate Federation and participated in the World and European Championships, which distracted me from finishing the course at that time”, he explained. In 1982, he almost completed his degree. “I was in my final year and had four subjects left. The opportunity arose to take a course in Production Engineering in Sweden and I had to choose. Either I took that opportunity, or I finished my degree”.
This decision led him to pursue a career in industry, systems development and business management. He worked on projects for various organisations and later he took over the industrial management of an investment project in Brazil. “In 1995, I went to Brazil and set up a factory from scratch, modernising its entire production line. I ended up staying there for over twenty years”, he said, returning to Portugal in 2017 after facing some health problems.
Once recovered, he decided to resume the path he had started decades earlier. “I went to Técnico to see what I could achieve. They provided me with equivalencies and told me that I had to complete some course units and my master’s thesis”, he shared. “I found it interesting to study again and learn new things”. He highlighted the differences between this experience and his previous education. “Técnico is entirely different. In the past, education was very theoretical. Now there are laboratories, opportunities for practical engagement and a connection to the digital world”, he said with a smile on his face. “It was a great learning experience at all levels”.
His dissertation focused on the transfer of water from the Guadiana River to south-western Alentejo and the western Algarve, which he considers particularly relevant to the country’s future. “I didn’t write my thesis just to earn credits. I want to put this idea into practice and I am already looking for contacts and investors. I am going to get involved politically”, he reaffirmed. Regarding the future, he has a clear goal: “As long as I am healthy, I want to continue working and developing this project”.
