The 2nd edition of the UpK and Race scholarships supported the students Norberto Vieira (Undergraduate Programme in Mechanical Engineering) and Afonso Ruivo (Master’s Programme in Electrical and Computer Engineering) for the 2025/2026 academic year. The scholarship award ceremony took place in the Main Building’s Meeting Room, at Técnico – Alameda campus, on 2 December.
Afonso Ruivo shared that this scholarship has a “major impact” on his life and helps him “to continue his studies with greater peace of mind”, although it requires a “sense of responsibility”. Norberto Vieira stressed that “in the 21st century, social and economic inequalities that prevent the pursuit of studies continue to persist”. The student expressed his “gratitude” to all those involved in the fight against inequalities.
The Vice-President of Técnico for Academic Affairs, Francisco Melo, took the opportunity to thank the sponsors. “These are important moments for Técnico and for the scholarship holders”, since “they help the scholarship holders to be more focused on their studies and to participate in extracurricular activities”, he said.
Representing the sponsoring companies, Manuel Quinaz assured that this scholarship “is not generous or philanthropic. It is an exchange; when there is money involved, it is always an exchange”. He explained that this is a way of “being close to the School”, the “best Portuguese engineering school”.
Also present at the event were Paulo Fernandes, Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Luís Reis, Coordinator of the Undergraduate Programme in Mechanical Engineering, and Jorge Fernandes, Vice-Head of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering for Education and Training.
The UpK and Race Scholarship is one of over 20 scholarships to support undergraduate and master’s students at Técnico.
