On 7 November, the Polytechnic Institute of Viseu (Portugal), the only public Higher Education Institution in its region, celebrated its 44th anniversary in a ceremony that highlighted its progress so far and emphasised its incorporation to EUNICE university alliance
The Polytecnic Institute of Viseu (IPV, Portugal) celebrated its 44th anniversary in a ceremony that took place in the presence of leaders from the city’s and region’s main institutions, national and international partners, and the IPV community. The President of IPV, José dos Santos Costa, emphasised the internationalisation of the institution and he highlighted the “great success achieved in September 2022, as result of intense internal and external efforts: IPV’s acceptance into the European University EUNICE, to which approximately 150,000 students and 10,000 academics belong.”
Mariusz Głąbowski, Professor at Poznan University of Technology (Poland) and EUNICE management team’s representative at the ceremony, outlined EUNICE’s main objectives for its new stage in the the next four years. Prof. Głąbowski explained that the construction of a common university was motivated by the shared values among all partners, understanding EUNICE as “an alliance of ten higher education institutions from different corners of Europe and with such geographic dispersion.”
With the mission of “training a new generation of Europeans” always in mind, social responsibility, inclusion, internationalisation, regional engagement, and innovation were the five core values shared by the ten partners in the alliance.
Representing Poznan University of Technology, its Vice-Rector for International Relations and also EUNICE coordinator Paweł Śniatała provided background information on EUNICE, explaining that the alliance was born in 2020 with seven partners, but “they quickly wanted to increase it to ten partners.” When they opened the applications, they were looking for “institutions that shared the same goals and that complemented the partners in various areas” and they were “very grateful that IPV had joined EUNICE.” He also pointed out that IPV “should be very proud to be part of a European university,” since “only 10% of higher education institutions in Europe are in a European university.”
Śniatała listed IPV’s EUNICE team and stressed that there is a “special relationship between Poznan University of Technology and IPV,” and offered IPV’s President a painting of the city of Poznan. According to President José dos Santos Costa, IPV’s icorporation to EUNICE alliance represents a “extraordinary challenge with a very significant institutional impact, both nationally and internationally.”
The ceremony also featured the nomination of IPV ambassadors, an initiative that gives recognition to the institution’s alumni, who play roles in promoting IPV’s image and participating in events, among others.
In his address, José dos Santos Costa explained that IPV, as a Higher Education Institution, “has as its primary objective high-level qualification, knowledge production and dissemination, as well as the cultural, artistic, technological and scientific training for students, across various audiences and training areas, with Education and Training standing one core strategic area for IPV.”
The Mayor of Viseu Fernando Ruas also addressed the audience, pointing out the importance of the IPV for the development of Viseu, explaining that “the institution has been a fundamental element for the progress of the region.” He also took the opportunity to congratulate Poland for “managing to use European funds so well,” mentioning that Portugal should follow their example.
Considering Viseu’s geographic position, the mayor called for good conditions to be given to the interior regions, stressing that these “will know how to use” these conditions to promote development and well-being for the population.
The ceremony was followed by an extraordinary tasting of regional products of the several municipalities with which IPV has a strong bond.
Professor Paweł Śniatała, the Vice-President for International Relations offering to the IPV president a paiting of the city of Poznan.
