FCTUC marks 253 years by “tackling excess formality”
Comedian Pedro Tochas brought humour to the anniversary ceremony, echoing one of the challenges highlighted by the Faculty’s Director: the “excessive formality” that persists in Portuguese higher education.
He studied at the Faculty of Sciences and Technology of the University of Coimbra (FCTUC), but after 13 enrolments ended up contributing to the national dropout rate. This was the humorous confession of comedian Pedro Tochas, who had the audience laughing at FCTUC’s anniversary ceremony held on Wednesday, 12 November, in the Auditorium of the FCTUC Central Unit at UC’s Polo II.
Listening closely to the opening speeches, Tochas transformed their themes into a relaxed, good-humoured stand-up performance — exactly the kind of atmosphere the Faculty’s Director, Edmundo Monteiro, believes should be encouraged. “We need to look after the people who live in this Faculty — students, staff, lecturers and researchers,” he argued. “Treating people well means being friendly and courteous, but there is an excess of formality that we need to tackle.”
Alongside efforts to improve wellbeing and the recent rebranding of FCTUC’s image, Edmundo Monteiro highlighted research and innovation as one of the Faculty’s major challenges for the coming years. Although FCTUC “is well evaluated, it can go even further.” To do so, it must “engage in more multidisciplinary projects and strengthen partnerships with companies,” he said.
But it is in teaching, pedagogy and attractiveness that the greatest investment is needed: “Some of our courses have already been updated, but in others, methods from 50 years ago are still being used.” Change, he stressed, is urgent. “We need to introduce pedagogical innovation (…) and use the new tools available, which should be applied constructively — such as artificial intelligence techniques and distance-learning methods.”
“It has been 253 years, and I hope another 253 of leadership lie ahead,” said the Rector of the University of Coimbra, Amílcar Falcão. The path forward, he argued, depends on understanding “how we can take advantage of artificial intelligence in teaching, assessment, research and administration.” FCTUC, he added, “has the responsibility to lead the University in the transversal integration of AI.”
Over the Faculty’s long history there have been ups and downs: “When we look objectively, pragmatically and without bias at FCTUC’s performance over the last decade, it has been declining — but it is now beginning to turn around.” According to the Rector, “these are cycles, which have happened before and will happen again.” With “calm, because we cannot take decisions on impulse,” he encouraged reflection on the future: “There are areas we should keep, and others that perhaps need to be reconsidered.”
Representing FCTUC students, Alexandre Matias Correia dedicated his speech to the new Aerospace Engineering degree. “I believe that space science will be the next true catalyst for the economy and innovation, bringing countless benefits to society.” The field is not new in Portugal, but Matias Correia has no doubt that “we will stand out.” Success, he added, “lies in distinguishing our programme from the others — not only through pedagogical and scientific quality, but through a genuinely distinctive offering.”
The ceremony also featured remarks by Aldina Santiago, President of the Faculty Assembly, and included the traditional presentation of Honourable Mentions. The Day of FCTUC was further marked by the unveiling of Professor Paulo Eduardo Oliveira’s photograph in the Faculty Directors’ Gallery, in the Council Room. The celebrations concluded with the “FCTUC Sunset” at the Polo II canteen, with music by DJ Vasco Amaral.
This year’s anniversary was supported by AlticeLabs, Águas de Coimbra, BDO, MSConsultores, Espectro, Trífida, Ideias Concertadas, RedLigth, Deemaze and PinkRoom.
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Alexandre Matias Correia, em representação dos estudantes da FCTUC, dedicou o seu discurso ao novo curso de Engenharia Aeroespacial: "Tenho para mim que a ciência do espaço será efetivamente o próximo catalisador económico e de inovação e que se irá repercurtir em inúmeros benefícios para a nossa sociedade." A área de estudos não é novidade em Portugal, mas Alexandre Matias Correia não tem dúvidas de que "chegaremos à frente". E para atingir o sucesso, "o desafio está em sabermos distinguir o curso dos restantes, não só pela qualidade pedagógica e científica, mas precisamente pela oferta diferenciada", considera.
A cerimónia contou ainda com a intervenção da Presidente da Assembleia da Faculdade, Aldina Santiago, e com a habitual entrega de Menções Honrosas. O Dia da FCTUC ficou também marcado pela apresentação da fotografia do professor Paulo Eduardo Oliveira na galeria de diretores da Faculdade, na Sala do Conselho. As comemorações encerraram com o “Sunset FCTUC”, nas Cantinas do Polo II, animado pelo DJ Vasco Amaral.
A celebração deste ano contou com o apoio da AlticeLabs, Águas de Coimbra, BDO, MSConsultores, Espectro, Trífida, Ideias Concertadas, RedLigth, Deemaze e PinkRoom.
