The University of Algarve received around 1500 new students at a ceremony held on September 14th at the Pavilhão Municipal da Penha in Faro. The event marked the beginning of a new academic stage for students who now join a community of more than 11 thousand students, coming from different regions and over 110 countries.
Rector Alexandra Teodósio highlighted the international dimension of the institution and argued that the University must go beyond knowledge transmission, providing opportunities to grow, question, and experiment. The rector also drew attention to the social and environmental challenges that will define the coming years, noting that many students will complete their degrees close to 2030, the horizon set by the UN for the Sustainable Development Goals, and pointed to areas such as water management, climate change, and the circular economy.
The mayors of Faro and Portimão, António Pina and Álvaro Bila, respectively, defended the connection between knowledge and territory. António Pina emphasized the need to prepare young people for a changing world and to create conditions so that professionals trained at UAlg can remain in the Algarve. Álvaro Bila highlighted the future Campus do Barlavento and left a direct message for students: "The Algarve needs you."
The president of the Students' Association of UAlg, Tomás Silva, encouraged new students to take advantage of all dimensions of university life and to participate in activities such as student groups, cultural and sports initiatives. The ceremony included performances by academic music groups, guided tours of the Faculties and Schools, and a lunch at the university campuses.