António Serrano, CEO of Jerónimo Martins Agro-Alimentar and representative of the patrons of the Social Support Fund for Students of the University of Évora, wants to double the amount raised through patronage to support more students. In the current academic year, FASE-UÉ had 16 patrons and raised 177,470 euros, allowing the awarding of 81 scholarships to students in economic hardship. The challenge was issued to the rector of the institution, António Candeias, so that next year the fund will have approximately double the current amount.
The official rejects that this type of support should be viewed as charity and argues that it is a civic and social responsibility. For Serrano, the goal is to create conditions so that young people with financial difficulties can complete their education and later contribute to society. Companies should, in his view, take a more active role in the social reality of universities and the regions where they operate.
António Serrano has a personal connection to this cause, as when he was a student, coming from a rural area, he benefited from social support to continue his studies. In his first year he was a working student before resorting to support mechanisms that allowed him to reduce the pressure and dedicate more time to his education. His experience shaped his view that economic difficulties should not determine who can attend university.
The CEO also believes that universities in the interior, such as the one in Évora, face additional difficulties in connecting with the business community due to the lower concentration of large companies. He argues that the institution should continue to present concrete projects to companies and seek new partners, emphasizing concrete results as essential for gaining new support.