Vasco Vaz begins new term as Director of the UC Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education

The inauguration ceremony for the Director of the Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education of the University of Coimbra (FCDEFUC) for the 2025–2027 term took place on 7 July in the Senate Room of the University of Coimbra.

Reappointed for a second term, Vasco Vaz reaffirmed his commitment to enhancing the quality of teaching, research, and community engagement, with a strong focus on international outreach and pedagogical innovation.

Vaz emphasised the pivotal role of scientific research, highlighting the establishment of the new CIPER-UC research centre in partnership with the Faculty of Human Kinetics of Lisbon (FMH). “It is our responsibility to foster and strengthen scientific output and to expand joint projects that attract both national and international researchers,” he said, reaffirming the commitment to keeping the Faculty at the forefront of Sports Science research.

Vasco Vaz acknowledged the ongoing challenges faced by FCDEFUC due to its limited facilities, describing this as “a structural concern since the Faculty’s foundation.” While praising the progress made with the new library, auditorium, and staff offices, he stressed that “it is now time to address Pavilion III and resume the project to build a new facility.”

Rector Amílcar Falcão emphasised the Faculty’s pivotal role in the University’s vision for high-performance sport and expressed strong enthusiasm for the upcoming Performance Assessment Unit for High-Level Athletes at the UC.