UAlg participates in the SEA-EU Governing Week

The most significant moment of the programme took place on 27 November, with the official signing of the SEA-EU Association, the new legal entity that ensures the long-term sustainability, continuity and governance capacity of the Alliance. The ceremony, held during the Governing Board meeting and witnessed by rectors, vice-rectors and management teams, represents a decisive step towards consolidating a stable framework for cooperation, enabling the development of joint programmes, strengthening international partnerships and advancing the creation of a truly integrated European Coastal Campus.

UAlg was represented by the Rector, Paulo Águas; the Pro-Rector for SEA-EU, Patrícia Pinto; Marleni Azevedo, Coordinator of the GRIM and local manager of SEA-EU at UAlg; João Vidal, member of Task 1.3 (Ethics Expert Group); Milene Lança, local technical manager; Rodrigo Carlos, President of the Students’ Union (AAUAlg); and Joana Rodrigues, from the SEA-EU Office. Throughout the week, the delegation participated in several coordination meetings and working groups. Among the highlights was the intervention by Pro-Rector Patrícia Pinto at the Ports Council, where she presented the work package led by UAlg — Bridging the Gap with Society.

UAlg also took part in the SEA-EU Deans meeting, with the participation of Directors Carlos Guerrero (FCT), Inês Araújo (FMCB) and Paulo Santos (ISE), who contributed to discussions on the involvement of academic units, the integration of faculties into joint programmes and preparations for the future SEA-EU 3.0 phase. Another important moment was the presentation of Deliverable D6.7 — Quality Criteria for Science Communication in SEA-EU — by Professor Manuel Célio Conceição, leader of Task 6.3 (Science Communication), during the meeting of the Quality & Ethics Committee.

In parallel, the various SEA-EU governance bodies — including the Vice-Rectors Committee, Quality & Ethics Committee, Technical Working Group, Students Council, Cities Council and Ports Council — worked on defining strategic priorities, addressing topics such as the consolidation of joint programmes, the harmonisation of mobility schemes, the strengthening of scientific cooperation and the Joint Research Office, the impact indicators and the preparation of the project extension requested by the European Commission. The Students Council also concluded the update of its bylaws, reinforcing the central role of students in the Alliance’s governance structure.

The cultural dimension of the Governing Week was marked by the SEA-EU Concert at Villa Doria d’Angri, in which UAlg student Tommi Friari performed Visions of Gideon, creating a moment of artistic exchange between universities. The week concluded with the final Governing Board meeting, dedicated to reviewing the project’s implementation status, discussing the outcomes of the sectorial meetings and defining the guidelines for the next cycle of SEA-EU’s development.

With this broad participation and with the creation of the new SEA-EU Association, the University of Algarve reaffirms its commitment to building a more integrated, sustainable and innovative European Coastal Campus, strengthening its role in European cooperation and in the promotion of knowledge linked to the sea.