New Rector Aims to Strengthen Sustainability, Inclusion, and Research with Global Impact

In her address, the new Rector first emphasized strengthening a more sustainable teaching and learning model, based on pedagogical innovation. At the same time, she highlighted the need to promote transdisciplinary research focused on strategic ecosystems such as the blue economy and the One Health approach. In this context, she acknowledged the legacy of previous rectors—particularly Paulo Águas and Manuel Gomes Guerreiro—and challenged the academic community to mobilize collectively to address the region’s main constraints, namely demographic challenges and funding limitations.

Within this framework, the Rector warned that, despite progress in internationalization and research, UAlg remains limited by funding constraints linked to the Algarve’s status as a transition region, which reduces co-financing to 60% (compared to 85% in other regions). Alexandra Teodósio assured that the University will continue to press the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation (MECI) to secure the missing 40% for strategic infrastructure, such as student residences, ensuring quality rooms for scholarship students and meeting the 50% quota under the PRR. In parallel, she added, plans include innovating residence management by optimizing low-occupancy periods with initiatives such as Summer Schools, Blended Intensive Programs (BIPs), and regional partnerships.

Álvaro Beleza, President of UAlg’s General Council, framed the inauguration as the beginning of a new institutional cycle, describing it as a “turning point,” as it marks the first time the University is led by a woman. He also stressed the significance of this milestone as a sign of institutional maturity and an inspiring message for the entire academic community, reaffirming that talent, competence, and vision should remain the central criteria.

In the same vein, sustainability was highlighted as the guiding principle of the new mandate—not as an abstract concept, but as a decision-making criterion and a cross-cutting strategy. The vision presented thus points to a UAlg capable of being a reference “for the region and from the region,” combining scientific impact and responsibility, education oriented toward interdisciplinary challenges, and active collaboration with municipalities, businesses, social organizations, and other partners.
Outgoing Rector Paulo Águas bid farewell stating he felt his “mission accomplished,” noting that although “not everything” was possible, decisions were made with “institutional sense” and “transparency.” Reviewing his two terms, which began in 2017, he highlighted a 40% increase in student numbers and a 50% rise in graduates, as well as revenue growth, with income in 2025 surpassing €100 million for the first time. He concluded by wishing Alexandra Teodósio—the first female Rector of UAlg and simultaneously the first alumna to hold the position—the greatest success in this “new cycle,” which he said brings challenges and energy to “reinvent paths,” ending with the phrase: “People come and go, institutions endure.”

Representing non-teaching staff, Nataliya Butenko emphasized the role of technical and administrative personnel as UAlg’s “silent engine”—the presence that welcomes, connects people and services, ensures daily operations, and strengthens inclusion—while also advocating that well-being and self-care are essential for a more cohesive, empathetic, and resilient university.
Tomás Silva, President of UAlg’s Student Union, warned about the underfunding of Higher Education, which particularly penalizes decentralized universities, compromising essential conditions for student retention and academic success. For the student leader, “it is impossible to speak seriously about territorial cohesion while Higher Education institutions outside major centers continue to be asked to fulfill additional missions without adequate funding.”

Finally, representing faculty and as an emeritus professor, Adelino Canário stressed that UAlg will only continue to thrive if it remains open to the world, provides fairer support to students—especially the most disadvantaged and international—and strengthens science and experimental teaching, valuing and motivating faculty to ensure quality, innovation, and regional and national impact. He also warned that, for this to happen, “greater investment in science is needed”: Portugal invests below the European average, and the Algarve invests three to four times less than other regions of the country. Demographics and chronic underinvestment, he cautioned, could jeopardize teaching quality, student and talent attraction, and, consequently, the economy.

In keeping with University Day tradition, the ceremony also honored merit and career achievements. The program included awarding medals and diplomas to staff who completed 25 years of service, recognizing their dedication and contribution to the institution’s growth and prestige. This was followed by the University of Algarve Prize for graduates with merit in the 2023/2024 academic year, distinguishing the best students for their outstanding academic performance.

The session also featured the presentation of UAlg’s new PhDs, underscoring the importance of advanced training and research at the University, as well as the renewal of critical mass serving science and the region. In the field of research and science communication, the 3MT-UAlg Prize and the UAlg Researcher Prize were awarded, recognizing synthesis and scientific dissemination skills, as well as the quality and impact of research produced at the institution. There was also a moment dedicated to thanking staff and faculty who retired in 2025, publicly acknowledging their careers and commitment to UAlg’s development.

The ceremony concluded with two musical performances, adding a cultural note to University Day and interspersing the formal proceedings.