ULusófona – CUP Celebrated University Day with a Solemn Ceremony

On 4 April, the commemorative ceremony for University Day was held in the main hall of Lusófona University – Porto University Centre, an event of great symbolism that celebrates not only the institution’s history and identity, but also its commitment to the future, academic excellence, and the appreciation of its academic community.

In an atmosphere of celebration, sharing, and inspiration, the ceremony recognised students, lecturers, and staff for their academic and professional achievements, while also reaffirming the values of unity, innovation, and internationalisation that define the institution’s educational project.

The event began with a musical performance, followed by the formal opening, moderated by Rita Cortez, who guided the various moments of the session. The ceremony was attended by Professor Manuel de Almeida Damásio, Administrator and President of the Founding Entity, who, in his speech, expressed pride in the university’s journey and its growing role in the landscape of Higher Education in Portugal.

Next, the university’s Rector, Professor José Bragança de Miranda, took the floor, highlighting the institution’s prominent position as “the largest private faculty in the country.” In his address, he emphasised that this growth has been made possible thanks to the collective and dedicated work of the entire academic community, and took the opportunity to publicly thank key figures in the university’s development, namely Professor Elisabete Pinto da Costa, Professor Manuel Damásio, and Professor Isabel Babo, recognising their decisive contributions.

He went on to underline the central role of internationalisation, enthusiastically highlighting the impact of programmes such as Erasmus+ and the growing investment in film education, which he described as a strategic and expanding field.

Representing the student body, Rita Tomaz, President of the Student Union, gave voice to the student community, recalling the challenges overcome throughout the academic journey and highlighting the importance of unity and solidarity among peers. In her speech, she acknowledged the essential role of lecturers in their ongoing support for students, thanking them for encouraging each one from day one to give their best.

Rita Tomaz concluded her intervention with a message of commitment, assuring that the Student Union will continue to be a constant and active presence in academic life, reaffirming the collective dedication to the university and the values it stands for.

Following this, Professor Isabel Babo, Vice-Rector for Internationalisation and Cooperation, delivered her speech titled “Internationalisation: From Diplomas to Experiences”. In her presentation, she stressed that students’ international experiences go far beyond obtaining qualifications, encompassing cultural and professional experiences that prepare them for an ever-changing global world.

The event continued with the awarding of prizes to distinguished students and the presentation of academic and professional merit medals to lecturers and staff who stood out over the past year – a particularly meaningful moment.

The Keynote Lecture was delivered by Professor Isabel Pires de Lima, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Serralves Foundation, offering a deep reflection on “The Humanities in Post-Pandemic Times”, in which she defended the value of the humanities as an essential pillar of higher education, especially in a global context marked by uncertainty.

The ceremony concluded with a final musical performance, bringing to a symbolic close an afternoon dedicated to celebrating the academic community, reaffirming principles of inclusion and sustainability, and projecting an ambitious future.

Report
Sofia Pereira

Photography
Catarina Machado, Renato Costa

Video (Coverage)
Catarina Machado, Renato Costa

Video (Editing)
Catarina Machado, Renato Costa