The partnership between Técnico and the Western Michigan University (WMU) is recent. Nevertheless, the WMU decided to honour Técnico with the 2020-2021 “International Partner University of the Year” award. The announcement was made this Saturday, April 10, by the Dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences at WMU, Dr. Steven Butt, during the WMU International Festival, which took place in virtual format.
“We are lucky to have the opportunity to collaborate with this prestigious university and with our new colleagues at Técnico. Together, we were able to create two exciting double-degree programmes during a global pandemic”, said Dr. Steven Butt. he stressed. “Additional double-degree programmes, research collaborations, faculty exchange programmes and other opportunities are also being considered in order to expand this very important relationship”, he added.
The President of Técnico, professor Rogério Colaço, expressed his gratitude and joy. “From the moment the first meeting was held, it was obvious that this partnership would be a great opportunity for both universities, students, faculty and researchers. There was a lot of positive energy between Técnico and WMU from the first minute. I believe that good energy is also the secret of this consolidated partnership in such a short time”.
Also Dr. Paulo Zagalo-Melo, Associate Provost of Haenicke Institute for Global Education (HIGE), and host of the WMU International Festival, congratulated Técnico and stressed that this partnership was established under a pandemic and “in very special circumstances”. “The fact that this partnership has achieved so much, in such a short time, and in such difficult times, reinforce its importance”, he added.
It should also be recalled that the collaboration agreement between the two universities was made official in December 2020 and created two double degree programmes (MSc programme in Engineering and Industrial Management, and MSc programme in Aerospace Engineering).
The Haenicke Institute for Global Education’s (HIGE) “International Partner University of the Year” award recognizes the outstanding work of a University-approved international partner institution that contributed significantly to WMU’s global engagement by providing substantial and/or ground-breaking opportunities for learning, research, study abroad and/or other forms of engagement with WMU’s students, faculty, staff and/or administrators.
