Professor Adelino Ferreira
The University of Coimbra was founded in 1290 and constitutes a reference in higher education and scientific research in Portugal, with excellent academic reputation recognized worldwide. It includes 8 faculties and 32 research centres, providing teaching and conducting research in almost all study fields - Exact Sciences and Engineering, Life Sciences, Architecture, Medicine, Social Sciences, Humanities and Sports - , as well as several structures devoted to promote science and technology, culture and sports.
The University of Coimbra has a strong internationalisation as the result of the constant arrival of students, professors and researchers of different cultural backgrounds from all around the world. Aware of the complexity and challenges of multilateral co-operation, the University actively promotes scientific/pedagogic networking by supporting the foundation of important European networks, such as “the Coimbra Group” (38 partner universities) and the Utrecht Network (31 partner universities), in both of which the UC plays an important role. Knowing the importance of such links, the UC also became a founding member of the University Transnational Network [Pólo Transfronteiriço] (13 partner universities) and more recently, the Tordesillas Group (38 partner universities). The UC is also member of CUM [Communauté des Universités du Mediterrané] (160 partner universities), of the SYLFF Network (88 partner universities) and of ERA-More - European Network of Mobility Centres (190 centres in 32 countries). As for research, the University is currently involved in 367 national projects and 120 international research projects.