University of Porto
The University of Porto (Universidade do Porto) is a Portuguese university located in Porto. It was founded March 22, 1911. It results, essentially, from the merger of the 19th century Politechnical Academy (Academia Politécnica) and the Medical-Surgical School (Escola Médico-Cirúrgica).
After the 1910 revolution in Portugal, starting the First Republic, the Universities of Lisbon and Porto were created.
Initially, the University of Porto was composed of three faculties:
- Faculty of Mathematical, Physics, Chemical, Historical and Natural Sciences (including the Engineering School)
- Faculty of Medicine (including the Pharmaceutical School)
- Faculty of Trade (never implemented)
The inauguration of the University of Porto was in July 16, 1911, and as first Reitor (Principal), the mathematician Gomes Teixeira was chosen. At this time, the University became economically and scientifically independent, and the teaching autonomy was officially recognised.
Currently, there are 14 Faculties and a postgrad business school at the University.
The University of Porto in 2005
Today, more than 27 000 students (4 000 postgraduate) attend the courses provided by the U.Porto's fifteen schools, each one with a considerable degree of autonomy — Architecture, Arts, Biomedical Sciences, Business Studies, Dental Medicine, Economics, Engineering, Fine Arts, Food and Nutritional Sciences, Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, Psychology and Educational Sciences, Science, Sport Sciences and Physical Education.
Globally, the U.Porto offers 63 graduate degree courses, over 160 master courses, and several doctoral degree courses and other specialization courses, supported by 2300 lecturers and a technical and administrative staff of 1600 people.
R&D activities at the University of Porto have significantly expanded over the last years, mainly as a result of academic qualification and increased funding of R&D facilities and research grants through competitive programs with external independent evaluation by international peer review committees. Although R&D centers vary noticeably in dimension, aims and structure — from small units to large centers, conducting specialized or interdisciplinary work, faculty integrated or independent — they are present in almost every field of knowledge showing a shared vision towards a modern research university. Many of these centers are interface institutions whose aim is the development of links of cooperation between the University and external entities such as enterprises or governmental organizations.
The University buildings — faculties, R&D centres, student residences and sport facilities — are grouped in three main sites (called ‘poles’). In the city centre — where the neoclassical building of the Architect Carlos Amarante marks the birthplace of the University — lies Pole 1; Pole 2 (Asprela) is a campus in the northern end of Porto; Pole 3 (Campo Alegre) is located in the western part of the city, over the river Douro bank, not far from Pole 1. A number of other institutes and centers are scattered all over the city and even beyond its limits.
The development of strong links with the community is one of the University's main concerns. This lies behind the constitution of the Foundation Science and Development, an institution which associates University and municipality and is responsible for the management of two important cultural facilities located in Pole 3: the Porto Planetarium and the Campo Alegre Theatre. Another evidence of this concern is the priority given to Continuing Education, with the development of multidisciplinary courses, the establishment of cooperation protocols, the training of teachers, the foundation of the Association of Portuguese Universities for Continuing Education and the providing of on-line courses.
The University of Porto is deeply committed to the development of its international relations, taking part in several university networks and cooperation groups — not only within Europe but also extending to the southern hemisphere countries of Portuguese language. The increasing numbers of students taking part in mobility programs, the exchange of lecturers and researchers, the participation in international R&D projects and the involvement in cooperative projects with Brazil and several African countries are a reflection of the importance the University gives to its international orientation.
Finally, one should mention the active role the University has played in international actions concerning the assessment and funding of higher education institutions, both fundamental to the development of Portuguese models in these areas.