Universidade Católica Portuguesa has just opened the call for Bachelor, Master and PhD students to participate in Transform4Europe’s first Festival of European Culture and Languages : Tourism and Heritage from the Border, which takes place from 7 to 11 July 2025 at the University of Trieste in collaboration with GLAM sector stakeholders.

Apply by April 21st to one of the 2 fully paid scholarships which cover travel, accommodation, and insurance for the selected students to participate in the festival. 

About the festival
 

Tourism plays a crucial role in shaping Europe’s cultural and economic landscape, yet it often leads to challenges such as overtourism and the oversimplification of urban narratives. Many cities, particularly those in border regions, experience a reduction of their complex histories into easily marketable stories, obscuring the intricate historical, anthropological, and political dynamics that define them.

This festival critically examines these issues by using Trieste, a city deeply influenced by its border identity, as a case study. Participants will explore the city as “cruisers,” much like the hundreds of tourists arriving daily, but with a critical perspective. Through guided explorations and discussions, they will analyze what is made visible in heritage narratives and what remains hidden, uncovering the contested and layered nature of urban identity.

 

About the Requirements

• Be a BA, MA or a PhD student at UCP.
• Demonstrate strong communication and comprehension skills in English
• Fulfill all application requirements (detailed in the the call).

 

Check the Call  | Learn more  | Apply

From 2 to 4 of June, 2025, the Transform4Europe alliance will gather at Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, in Bulgaria for the Transformation Lab Fair & Stakeholder Challenge - Climate Change and European Cities: Adaptation to Urban Heat Island Effect and Nature-Based Solutions.

Universidade Católica Portuguesa students may apply by April 28 to one of the two scholarships which cover travel, accommodation, and insurance to participate in the event. 

About the Event

This fair will provide a platform to delve into the increasingly intense urbanisation that we are witnessing in Europe and worldwide, combined with deepening climate change, will lead to an even more serial intensification of the manifestation of natural and climatic risk phenomena, including the so-called urban heat island effect and its role in increasing the risk for European city populations and worsening their living comfort.

The programme begins with the opening of a stakeholder challenge, featuring registration, coffee, and group formation activities. Subsequent days offer a dynamic mix of learning opportunities, including student group work sessions, hybrid T-Labs presentations, expert discussions, and workshops on smart technologies. Highlighting the event are the Geospatial Research and Technologies Fair and the Stakeholder Challenge presentations, culminating in a closing cocktail to foster business communication and networking.

About the requirements

• Be a BA, MA or a PhD student at Católica.
• Demonstrate strong communication and comprehension skills in English
• Fulfill all application requirements (detailed in the the call).

 

Check the Call  |  Apply

The Research Centre for Human Development (CEDH), the R&D Unit of the Faculty of Education and Psychology of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa (FEP-UCP) was once again the stage for a memorable edition of International Week – a week dedicated to internationalisation. Under the theme "Innovation Beyond Boundaries: Crafting Education and a Talented Workforce in an Era of Change", the event brought together 52 participants from seven countries – Romania, Lithuania, Poland, Spain, Brazil, Italy, and Portugal – including students, lecturers, and researchers, creating a vibrant environment of sharing and learning.

Internationalisation is a strategic pillar of the Research Centre and, according to Patrícia Oliveira-Silva, Vice-Dean for Global Positioning at the Faculty of Education and Psychology, "it is not an accessory element, but rather a vital driver for strengthening our communities". More than simply establishing partnerships, this initiative aims to provide enriching experiences and promote lasting collaborative networks.

 

A week full of inspiration and knowledge

The International Week 2025 programme was carefully designed to balance high-level academic debate, immersive experiences, and networking opportunities.

Among the most remarkable highlights were the roundtable “The Role of Research in Shaping Future Competencies and Organisational Transformation”, moderated by Diogo Costa (CEDH and FEP-UCP), and the masterclass “AI in the Workplace: Friend, Foe, or Future?”, featuring contributions from academic and business specialists.

In addition to the sessions held at the Universidade Católica in Porto, participants had the chance to visit the Lionesa Business Hub, the Estádio do Dragão, and Hospital de São João, offering a concrete perspective on the dynamics of the job market and innovation across different sectors.

Tiago Maia, from the Lionesa Business Hub, highlighted “the importance of collaboration between academia and the business sector in preparing new generations for the challenges ahead”. The Head of Institutional Relations at Lionesa Business Hub added: “The partnership with Universidade Católica Portuguesa is an excellent example of how dialogue between education, innovation and talent can generate real and lasting impact.”

 

Strengthening international collaborative networks

One of the most valuable legacies of the week was the strengthening of international collaboration networks. A new partnership was signed with the Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu (Romania), research proposals were discussed between the Faculty of Education and Psychology and Spanish universities, and the next steps were defined in the partnerships between the Master’s in Psychology of Human Resources Development and equivalent programmes at Universidade CEU San Pablo (Spain) and Babes-Bolyai University (Romania).

But the impact goes far beyond signed agreements. According to Patrícia Oliveira-Silva, “the true success of this week lies in the bonds of friendship and cooperation that have been formed between our students and the international participants. This exchange of experiences strengthens our community and paves the way for future joint initiatives.”

Daniel C. Andronache, from Babeș-Bolyai University, praised “the hospitality and spirit of sharing that characterised the week”, emphasising that “internationalisation is made by people and the connections we build through authentic dialogue”.

Similarly, Amable Muñoz, from Universidad CEU San Pablo, underlined the importance of “recognising others, embracing differences, and learning from them, at a time when the world needs cooperation and shared reflection more than ever”.

Diogo Costa, from the Organising Committee of International Week 2025, added: “Events like this renew and inspire us to reaffirm the human – or humanistic – values and developmental principles that underpin institutions created by and for unity, such as the European Union itself.” In an international context marked by uncertainty, it is essential to demonstrate that “science is built through encounters – without borders, without prejudice.”

 

Internationalisation as a core pillar of institutional strategy

The research Centre for Human Development reaffirms its commitment to a global strategy and is already looking ahead to International Week 2026. In the coming years, the Research Centre and the faculty’s internationalisation strategy will involve expanding mobility programmes, strengthening the curricular offer in English, and promoting international collaborative projects.

The 2025 edition of International Week took place from 24 to 28 March and proved, once again, that education knows no borders.

A total of 16 students from the various faculties of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa were rewarded by Caixa Geral de Depósitos (CGD) with the Caixa Mais Mundo Award, 7th edition (2024/25). The ceremony, which took place on 8 April at Culturgest in Lisbon, was attended by the Pro-Rector of Católica, Isabel Braga da Cruz.

The prizes, worth €1,500.00 and €1,000.00 each, were awarded in various categories, including Merit Awards for the best undergraduate students, Scholarships for needy students and a Merit Award for students of PALOP nationality.

At this ceremony, the following were honoured by Caixa Geral de Depósitos: Ana Clara Azevedo Teixeira Escudeiro Aires, Daniela Osório Scoppie Forbes Bessa, Matilde Lucas Queirós, Simone Ferreira Pinto, students at the Porto School of the Faculty of Law at Católica. Diana Teresa Gonçalves Monteiro, Madalena Pereira Coelho de Mendes Cardoso and Maria Ferreira Borges attending the School of Arts were also honoured.

Students from the Faculty of Human Sciences, Diogo Smith Rodrigues Brito Vaz, Francisco Maria de Azevedo Ferreira and Ivan Muntyan, and students from the Institute for Political Studies, Emma Cotignola Varone and Karina da Costa Pereira Bastos were also recognised.

Joana Ferreira Ribeiro, studying at the Faculty of Education and Psychology, João Marinho Carvalho Matos, a student at Católica Porto Business School, Maria de Sousa Ruivo Batista, a student at Católica Lisbon School of Business and Economics, and Beatriz Maria Monteiro Tavares Fernandes, attending the Nursing School, also received the Caixa Mais Mundo Award.

The Caixa Mais Mundo Prize aims to widen access to opportunities for all young people who wish to study in higher education, recognising the academic merit of students who have finished secondary school and encouraging them to continue their studies at higher education institutions.

The selection process was coordinated nationally by the Social Responsibility Office of the Universidade Católica.

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