Zita Martins, a professor at Instituto Superior Técnico and the Vice-President for International Affairs, has been elected President of the T.I.M.E. Association Network (Top International Managers in Engineering), becoming the first woman to lead this international network of engineering schools.

With a career that includes collaborations with NASA, Imperial College London and the European Space Agency, Zita Martins points out that this election “represents a historic milestone for the network and an opportunity to strengthen the role of international cooperation in engineering education”, marking the first time in more than three decades of existence that a woman has held the presidency.

Zita Martins, who is also a researcher at Centro de Química Estrutural (CQE), also emphasised her ambition to “expand dual degree programmes to new emerging areas, strengthen links between universities and companies, and enhance the network’s global visibility”.

The T.I.M.E. Association Network brings together 57 leading engineering and technology institutions, promoting double and joint degree programmes between partner universities. These programmes offer students a high-level engineering education with significant international exposure and intercultural experience.

In addition to her scientific and academic activity, Zita Martins has actively participated in initiatives to promote science among different audiences and to encourage gender equality in engineering and technology, such as the “Engenheiras por um Dia” programme. Her contribution and recognition at the national level were also highlighted by the President of the Portuguese Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, through the award of the Grand Officer of the Order of Public Instruction, which highlights her outstanding services to the cause of education and teaching.