“One of the important priorities of the AULP is the internationalization of the community of higher education of Portuguese speakers in the higher education world.”

“One of the important priorities of the AULP is the internationalization of the community of higher education of Portuguese speakers in the higher education world.”

“One of the important priorities of the AULP is the internationalization of the community of higher education of Portuguese speakers in the higher education world.”

 

Cristina Montalvão Sarmento

General Secretary, AULP

BIO

Cristina Montalvão Sarmento serve the global higher education community as secretary-general of the Association of Portuguese-Speaking Universities (AULP) since 2006, currently representing the organization in workings groups and expert committees, with a strong belief in the importance of international cooperation and intercultural understanding. Her background education includes a Ph.D. in Political Science, political theory (2004), post-graduation in Philosophy (1999); post-graduation in Political Science (1994); II Cycle in Geostrategy and International Relations, Institut Européen des Hautes Études Internationales in France (1987), after a first Degree in Law (1986) – Faculty of Human Sciences of the Portuguese Catholic University, and a second one in History (1997) – Faculty of Arts of the University of Lisbon. At the moment she is an Associated Professor with a habilitation in Global Studies at Lisbon University, Portugal. Areas of interest are the politics of HE Internationalization and, Global Challenges and Trends in HE. She was elected as a full board Member of IAU in 2022, a global NGO with UNESCO Associate Status, on behalf of AULP.

“One of the important priorities of the AULP is the internationalization of the community of higher education of Portuguese speakers in the higher education world.”

TBY talks to Cristina Montalvão Sarmento, General Secretary of AULP (Association of Portuguese-speaking Universities), about the organisation’s mission, the post-pandemic reality, and collaboration among Portuguese-speaking academic institutions.

Active in nine countries with 133 members; what is AULP’s mission?

AULP is an international non-governmental organization for development, founded on November 26, 1986, that promotes cooperation and the exchange of best practices between universities in the Portuguese-speaking community. With more than 130 members from eight Portuguese-speaking countries—Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, East Timor, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe—and Macao (RAEM), our mission is to ease communication between our associated members for the collective development of Higher Education of the Portuguese-Speaking community. We propose continuous reflection through the daily dissemination of scientific articles and the organization of conferences and events.

What are the top priorities of members?

One of the important priorities of the AULP is the internationalization of the community of higher education of Portuguese speakers in the higher education world. In addition to consolidated international cooperation, members benefit from the Association’s multicontinental dimension. Its presidency rotates every three years, it changes between continents, so priorities can be strategically shifted in line with different aspects of higher education frameworks. Currently, the Presidency of the Administration Board, belong to the University of Coimbra, in Portugal, Europe, after having belonged in the last term to Angola, Africa, and immediately before to Macau (RAEM), China, after Mozambique, Africa. The internationalization effort of the AULP is also materialized in the participation on the bord direction of the IAU (International Association of Universities – UNESCO) and the Vice-Presidency of the UCCLA (Union of the Capitals of Portuguese Speaking Countries). Among the listed activities carried out by AULP, which can be appreciated at https://aulp.org/, we highlight the AULP Mobility Program (www.mobilidade-aulp.org) as a student mobility program inspired by the Erasmus+ Program. The AULP Mobility Program is the first academic mobility program that exclusively covers the exchange of students in any field of higher education between institutions from Portuguese-speaking countries and Macao (RAEM).

What has been your experience with the mobility program and what must happen to increase the volume of students in the program?

With the AULP Mobility Program, we have managed to mobilize more than 250 students despite the various constraints caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The AULP has annually received more than 2000 applications from students who want to participate in the program. Our experience tells us that there are currently three major barriers to student mobility. The first barrier is economic constraints, followed by problems with issuing visas (which often delay their issuance, which means that the student is unable to travel on time), and finally cultural issues. To mitigate these barriers, AULP is looking for partners who finance scholarships. In parallel, the AULP has been carrying out several online training courses and has started to provide technical assistance to the various PALOP-TL higher education institutions to promote programs and scholarships.

What mechanisms are in place to heighten the level of collaboration between members and the private sector?

AULP seeks to develop partnerships with organizations or companies that want to finance scholarships for students under our AULP Mobility Program. AULP currently has partnerships with the Organization of Ibero-American States (OEI) with travel grants; also, PROCULTURA grants resulting from a partnership with Camões I.P. and the CPLP within the scope of the project PROCULTURA PALOP-TL – Promotion of Employment in Income Generating Activities in the Cultural Sector in the PALOP and Timor-Leste, financed by the European Union, co-financed and managed by Camões, IP (Delegation Agreement FED/ 2019/405-279). Furthermore, AULP obtained the status of Portuguese Erasmus+ Office, having recently obtained funding for the attribution of scholarships to students and teachers from the PALOP-TL (Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe and Timor-Leste) and from Portugal. AULP is currently drafting new applications to finance mobility in the areas of health (ProSaúde+) and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (ProCTEM+). Partnerships between the AULP and the private sector, would be very important for higher education institutions in Portuguese-speaking countries in general, to train their students and technical staff that enable the development of these countries and the reduction of inequalities between countries according to the United Nations Conference on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) until 2030.

How do you envision collaboration among Portuguese speaking academic institutions into the future? What is the development potential of the bloc?

With the implementation of the various international mobilities, it is expected to guarantee the recognition of students’ credits in mobility and the issuance of certificates of studies or supplements to diplomas to recognize the period of international mobility in a way to bring higher education systems closer. Additionally, AULP’s actions towards the network guarantee the follow-up of students to support their reintegration and give them the opportunity, in return, to build student networks, undertake or work in the labor market of their country as well as be ambassadors for the dissemination of AULP projects and values. Furthermore, professors participating in the mobilities will be recognized for their teaching activities abroad through the issuance of mobility certificates and follow-up is guaranteed for their continuous training, implementation of new study programs or joint research projects. The exchange of experiences and mobilities promoted by the AULP either through its Annual Meetings with all higher education institutions in its network or through the Mobility Program, improve the interpersonal skills of students and teachers, their capacity for resilience, verbal communication, conflict resolution, and, among other aspects, the ability to develop critical thinking. As a whole, aims to create active young people who participate in the world of work but also in creating more just, democratic, inclusive, multicultural, and independent societies. The joint participation of the institutions that are part of will accompany the academic excellence of the institutions themselves.

A Secretaria-Geral da AULP, Professora Cristina Montalvão Sarmento foi entrevistada pela Revista The Business Year

“The University of Coimbra adopts an approach of sustainable management of its activities and resources and of social responsibility in its actions.”

“The University of Coimbra adopts an approach of sustainable management of its activities and resources and of social responsibility in its actions.”

“The University of Coimbra adopts an approach of sustainable management of its activities and resources and of social responsibility in its actions.”

 

TBY talks to João Calvão da Silva, Vice-Chancellor at Universidade de Coimbra and President of the Board at AULP, about UNESCO recognition, sustainability, and international links.
Can you give us an overview of: the university’s academic focus, size, and identity?

With more than 25000 students, the University of Coimbra – founded in 1290 – is one of the Portuguese universities that most foreigners attract under Erasmus+ Program and a reference in the Portuguese-speaking world. In these countries (more than 250 million inhabitants), UC is considered the Alma Mater of Portuguese language, a role which contributed to being listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site (2013). Our intense cooperation with these countries gives access to networks that can provide significant opportunities for European research and education engagement. Besides having about 20% of foreign students every year, UC is also an important tourism destination, with half a million tourists every year, contributing to expertise in sharing of academic heritage buildings to a wider audience and in the preservation and sustainability of these heavily used spaces.

It is 10 years since the UNESCO world heritage recognition. What is the special link of the university with the history of Portugal and Coimbra?

One of the Oldest Universities in Europe and the Only University in Portugal Until 1911. The university reformation dating back to King John III and the consequent and definite transference to Coimbra promoted the development of an educational pole able to host the significant flux of students and to promote the continuous award of academic diplomas. The University that occupies a Royal Palace, i.e., the oldest nucleus of the University of Coimbra is located in the set of the Schools Courtyard, and it essentially corresponds to the ancient royal address of the country, the former Royal Palace of Coimbra. Its continuous use, for five centuries prior to the settlement of the University, with a continuous consolidation and constructive evolution, make of it a singular and outstanding building in the European context of university architecture. The University of the consolidation, dissemination, and expansion of the Portuguese language, as the only Portuguese university, Coimbra has become, throughout the centuries, an important cultural pole. The educated linguistic norm of this city had a strong influence over its students, who would later influence the people from other geographical areas. The university is also important for it was the place where many of the important names of the national literature studied. The role of the University in the formation of the Portuguese state – The University of Coimbra, responsible for the education of the main Portuguese managing elite, was one of the main and most energizing institutions to take part in the ideological formation of the Portuguese State throughout the centuries. Considered the “political thermometer” of the country, the university accompanied the political and social convulsions of the country, balancing from support manifestations of support of the ruling regimes to its opposition.

Most sustainable university in Portugal. What campaigns and university practices form the backbone of the university’s sustainability strategy?

The University of Coimbra adopts an approach of sustainable management of its activities and resources and of social responsibility in its actions. Sustainability and Social Responsibility represent cross-cutting attitudes, behaviors and actions in the UC which fit and are always present in its activity. Nevertheless, two dimensions are made autonomous, which, due to their relevance and their emergence in the current context, determine a firm commitment to the sustainable development and human rights: Environment & Climate Action – Developing an environmental sustainability strategy that enables the University of Coimbra to be the first Portuguese university to achieve carbon neutrality and make academic community aware of the impact of behavior change on the fight against climate change – and Citizenship, Equality & Inclusiveness – Promoting active, enlightened, socially responsible and inclusive citizenship, by preserving the right to have rights, respecting dignity, equality and the right to difference, so that everyone can reach their potential, in a collective formulation of common goals and challenges.

To what do you attribute the strength of Portugal as a destination for higher education?

Portugal is a country that offers security and quality of life, with an excellent geographical location and a mild temperature throughout the year. Portugal has a friendly population that likes to welcome and receive. Coimbra is a historical city, situated in the center of the country, with a very peculiar experience in which academic and city life are very closely connected, making the experience of studying here something unique and unforgettable for those who study here.

Which facts and figures demonstrate the university’s international reach?

In terms of internationalization the data speak for themselves, we have strongly recovered from the pandemic. In 2022, we had a total of 893 outgoing mobilities and 1684 incoming mobilities. To this data, we must add the students under the International Student Statute, in a total of 862 students, many of whom are Brazilian.

What is the strategy to heighten links with Portuguese-language universities around the world?

The University of Coimbra is considered the Alma Mater of Portuguese-speaking universities and in this awareness, we are proud to chair the board of AULP in this three-year term. We highlight, as an example, the activity of Sino-Lusophone Academy of the University of Coimbra (ASL-UC), a special project of the Rectory dedicated to strengthening its ties with the Portuguese-speaking world and with the People’s Republic of China institutions. The Sino-Lusophone Academy has the mission of promoting, in the University of Coimbra, the development of relevant knowledge concerning the relations between China, Portugal and the Portuguese Speaking Countries, with a primary focus on Law, but open to all fields of knowledge, and transferring that knowledge to the parties interested in the strengthening and consolidation of those relations. It was formally established at the of the year 2018 and officially inaugurated in June 2019. Since then, within its scope, two China Studies’ Centers were established (with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Beijing Foreign Studies Universities), that have organized several international meetings, short online courses, and seminars. Most notably, the Sino-Lusophone Academy has been putting great emphasis in the development of the links with the Portuguese-speaking Countries, not only through the co-organization of conferences, but also having organized several custom-made courses at the request of public institutions, like the Attorney General’s Office of Angola and Mozambique, the National Electoral Commission of Mozambique and for Magistrates and Senior Officials of public institutions of East-Timor (PFMO project).

O Presidente da AULP, Professor João Nuno Calvão da Silva foi entrevistado pela Revista The Business Year 

Conselho de Administração da AULP – fevereiro de 2023

Conselho de Administração da AULP – fevereiro de 2023

Conselho de Administração da AULP – fevereiro de 2023

 

No passado dia 27 de fevereiro de 2023, realizou-se a reunião do Conselho de Administração da AULP em modo presencial e online (via ZOOM), tendo sido dirigida pelo Presidente da associação, Professor Doutor João Nuno Calvão da Silva, Vice-Reitor da Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal.

Em representação das instituições de ensino superior membros da AULP marcaram presença os Vice-presidentes do Conselho de Administração da AULP: o Professor José Arlindo Barreto, Reitor da Universidade de Cabo Verde (Cabo Verde), o Professor Sebastião António, Reitor da Universidade Mandume Ya Ndemufayo (Angola), a Professora Sandra Almeida, Reitora da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (Brasil), o Professor Rui Martins, Vice-Reitor da Universidade de Macau (Macau). Os Vogais: o Professor Orlando Rodrigues, Presidente do Instituto Politécnico de Bragança (Portugal), o Professor Narciso Matos, Reitor da Universidade Politécnica de Moçambique (Moçambique) e a Professora Arsénia, da Universidade Politécnica de Moçambique (Moçambique), o Professor Agostinho Rita, Reitor da Instituto Universitário de Contabilidade e Administração e Informática (São Tomé), o Professor Samba Camará, Reitor do Instituto Nacional de Estudos e Pesquisa (Guiné-Bissau), Em representação do Presidente do Conselho Fiscal e Presidente do Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa (Portugal) o Professor António Belo, a Professora Doutora Maria Madalena Almeida, Administradora do Instituto Superior de Ciências Económicas e Empresariais (Cabo Verde), o Professor Pedro Magalhães, Reitor da Universidade Agostinho Neto (Angola), o Professor Manuel Guilherme Junior, Reitor da Universidade Eduardo Mondlane (Moçambique), O Professor Aziz Saliba, Diretor de Relações Internacionais da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (Brasil), bem como a Secretária-Geral da AULP, Professora Cristina Montalvão Sarmento.

Cumpriu-se, a ordem de trabalhos prevista para a reunião do Conselho de Administração da AULP, salientando-se a apresentação do relatório de atividades, as edições da AULP em curso, o apuramento do vencedor da edição do Prémio Fernão Mendes Pinto de 2022 e o lançamento das edições de 2023. Foram apresentados os dados estatísticos e efetuado o balanço geral do Programa Mobilidade AULP, as bolsas de viagem OEI-AULP e os Programas de Mobilidade AULP: Procultura, Procultura+ e as candidaturas e a candidatura a mais dois programas de mobilidade ProCTEM+ e ProSaúde+.

Foi efetuada uma primeira abordagem ao XXXII Encontro AULP que terá lugar em junho de 2023 em São Tomé e Príncipe. Durante os próximos dias serão fixadas as datas finais e o tema do Encontro para que sejam abertas as inscrições para o Encontro.

2ª edição do fórum dos reitores, Macau – 22 a 24 de outubro 2022

2ª edição do fórum dos reitores, Macau – 22 a 24 de outubro 2022

2ª edição do fórum dos reitores, Macau – 22 a 24 de outubro 2022

Nos dias 22, 23 e 24 de outubro realizou-se a 2ª Edição do Fórum dos Reitores das Instituições do Ensino Superior da China e dos Países de Língua Portuguesa, coorganizado pela Direcção dos Serviços de Educação e Juventude do Governo da RAEM e a Aliança para Formação de Quadros Bilingues Qualificados nas Línguas Chinesa e Portuguesa. A edição deste ano teve como tema a “Cooperação internacional entre instituições de ensino superior da China e dos países de língua portuguesa na era pós-pandemia” e atraiu mais de 200 académicos da China continental, Hong Kong, Macau e países de língua portuguesa.

Na cerimónia de abertura intervieram: Shu Gangbo, subdiretor do Gabinete para os Assuntos de Hong Kong, Macau e Taiwan do Ministério da Educação da RPC; Kong Chi Meng, diretor dos Serviços de Educação e de Desenvolvimento da Juventude; Zhu Chaohua, inspetor do Departamento de Educação da Província Guangdong; Jun Liu, presidente da Aliança para Formação de Quadros Bilingues Qualificados nas Línguas Chinesa e Portuguesa e Reitor da Universidade Cidade de Macau; Song Yonghua, reitor da Universidade de Macau, e Im Sio Kei, reitor da Universidade Politécnica de Macau.

Nesta sessão interveio ainda João Nuno Calvão da Silva, na qualidade de Presidente da Associação das Universidades de Língua Portuguesa que cumprimentou todos na pessoa do Professor Rui Martins, Vice-Reitor da Universidade de Macau pelo papel que tem desempenhado na ponte entre Portugal e o mundo de língua portuguesa. E afirmou que “Macau, como sempre, implementa plenamente o seu papel de ponte entre a China e os países de língua portuguesa, e tornou- se parte indispensável da promoção da cooperação estratégica entre as universidades chinesas e de língua portuguesa”. Destacou o papel da AULP, instituição com mais de 30 anos e a sua atividade relevante na aproximação dos países de língua portuguesa. Transmitiu que o Programa Mobilidade AULP, carinhosamente denominado de “Erasmus Lusófono”, permitia atualmente a liberdade de circulação nesse espaço da língua portuguesa através das suas 140 instituições membros.

O fórum de dois dias concentrou-se em 5 tópicos principais: “o papel do ensino superior na promoção do intercâmbio cultural e da cooperação económica e comercial entre a China e os países de língua portuguesa”, “o papel do ensino superior no Desenvolvimento Curricular e na Garantia de Qualidade”, “Língua e Tecnologia: Novos Elementos de Cooperação no Ensino Superior entre Países de Língua Portuguesa e a China”, “Desafios e Experiências no Lançamento de Projetos de Diplomas Duplos e Conjuntos”, e ainda sobre o “Fluxo Transfronteiriço de Estudantes no Ensino Internacional”.

 

 

Geminae

AULP eleita para a vice-presidência da UCCLA

AULP eleita para a vice-presidência da UCCLA

AULP eleita para a vice-presidência da UCCLA

A Associação das Universidades de Língua Portuguesa (AULP) foi eleita para a Vice-Presidência da Comissão Executiva da União das Cidades Capitais de Língua Portuguesa -UCCLA para o biénio 2022-2024.

No dia 27 de outubro reuniu a XXXVIII Assembleia Geral da União das Cidades Capitais de Língua Portuguesa – UCCLA no pátio da Galé em Lisboa. Estiveram presentes 43 delegações de cidades e empresas associadas da UCCLA. O presidente da Câmara de Lisboa, Carlos Moedas foi nomeado o novo presidente da Comissão Executiva da UCCLA, o presidente do Conselho Municipal de Maputo, Eneas Comiche, o novo presidente da Assembleia Geral da UCCLA, e o Secretário-geral da organização, Vitor Ramalho, foi reeleito para um novo mandato – decorrente da eleição dos novos Órgãos Sociais para o biénio 2022-2024. A próxima XXXVIX Assembleia Geral da UCCLA (XXXVIX) realiza-se em 2023 em Fortaleza, no Brasil.

Órgãos sociais da UCCLA 2022-2024 

Comissão Executiva:

Presidente: Câmara Municipal de Lisboa (Carlos Moedas)

Vice-presidentes:

Câmara Municipal de Cascais (Carlos Carreiras;)

Autoridade Municipal de Díli, (Guilhermina Ribeiro)

Presidente da Comissão Administrativa da Cidade de Luanda (a aguardar nomeação)

AULP – Associação das Universidades de Língua Portuguesa (João Nuno Calvão da Silva)

A AULP agradece a representação no ato eleitoral do Sr. Presidente do Conselho Fiscal da AULP e Presidente do Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Professor Elmano Margato.

 

 

 

Geminae

A AULP eleita para a direcção da IAU – International Association of Universities

A AULP eleita para a direcção da IAU – International Association of Universities

A AULP eleita para a direcção da IAU – International Association of Universities

A Associação Internacional de Universidades (IAU) criada sob os auspícios da UNESCO em 1950, é hoje uma organização não governamental, com mais de 600 membros de 130 países que serve a comunidade global de ensino superior. A IAU é a principal associação global de instituições de ensino superior. Realiza a conferência global cada quatro anos em que elege os seus órgãos de governo.

Nos dias 25 a 28 de outubro, decorreu no University College Dublin (UCD) na Irlanda a 16ª Conferencia Geral da IAU sob o tema Relevance and Value of Universities to Future Society. A Secretária-Geral da AULP, Professora Cristina Montalvão Sarmento da Universidade de Lisboa, representou a associação durante o evento e apresentou as atividades da AULP aos membros tendo desenvolvido contactos juntos das organizações congéneres, conforme a lista anexa no final.

Nesta conferência a AULP foi eleita para  a direção da Associação Internacional de Universidades (IAU). Além do Presidente, a direção é composta por 20 membros com representação regional do mundo universitário (18 representantes das instituições membros e 2 secretários gerais de organizações membros), que asseguram a realização da conferência anual e a implementação das decisões da Conferência Geral acompanhando ainda, os trabalhos do secretariado da IAU. Compõem a direção da IAU para o quadriénio 2022 – 2026: 

Presidente: Andrew Deeks, Presidente and Vice-chanceler, Murdoch University, Austrália

Ex. Presidente: Pam Fredman, antigo Reitor da University of Gothenburg, Sweden

Por África

Sunungurai Dominica Chingarande, Vice-Chanceler, Women’s University in Africa, Zimbabwe

Jouhaina Gherib, Presidente, University of Manouba, Tunisia

Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, Vice-Chanceler, University of Abuja, Nigeria

 Pelas Américas

Patrick Deane, Reitor e Vice-chanceler, Queen’s University, Canada

Fernando Leon-Garcia, Presidente, CETYS University, Mexico 

Pela Asia & Pacific

Mohd Hamdi Abd Shukor , Vice-chanceler, University of Malaya, Malaysia

Hassan Al-Derham, Presidente, Qatar University, Qatar

Salim Daccache, Reitor, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Lebanon

Samit Ray, Chanceler, Adamas University, India

Yoshiaki Terumichi, Presidente, Sophia University, Japan 

Pela Europa

Peter Aronsson, Vice-chanceler, Linnaeus University, Sweden

Shahin Bayramov, Reitor, Mingachevir State University, Azerbaijan

Henk Kummeling, Reitor Magnificus, Utrecht University, The Netherlands

Miquel Nicolau-Vila, Reitor, Universitat d’Andorra, Andorra

Inga Žalėnienė, Reitor, Mykolas Romeris University, Lithuania

 Pelas Organizações

Roberto Escalante Semerena,

Secretário-Geral, UDUAL

(Unión de Universidades de América Latina y el Caribe)

Cristina Montalvão Sarmento,

Secretária-Geral, AULP

(Associação das Universidades de Língua Portuguesa) 

Secretária Geral 

Hilligie van´t Land, International Universities Bureau

Dublin, 28.10.2022

São membros da IAU as seguintes organizações de ensino superior

Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF), Canada

Association of African Universities, (AAU), Ghana

Association of Arab Universities (AARU), Jordan

Associação das Universidades de Língua Portuguesa (AULP), Portugal

Aurora Universities Network, Netherlands

European University Association (EUA), Belgium

Inter-American Organization for Higher Education (IOHE), Canada

Mediterranean Universities Union, Italy

NAFSA: Association of International Educators, USA

The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), UK

The University of the Arctic (UArctic), Finland

UNICA – Network of the Universities from the Capitals of Europe, Belgium

Union de Universidades de América Latina (UDUAL), Mexico

 

Geminae