O Técnico e os desafios do futuro

2021, when IST celebrates its 110th Anniversary, is a year marked by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic situation we are living through has brought in early 2020 profound changes in society at all levels: COVID-19 has changed lives around the world. After the globalisation and economic growth in the second half of the 20th century, no event until now has been as profoundly global as the one we are living this year.

The IST activities didn’t stop and we were able to adapt. During this year, and throughout its 110 years of existence, Técnico worked hard to overcome difficulties. We managed to adapt to remote teaching and remote working, we were able to control the pandemic on IST campuses through a properly planned and extended testing programme, we produced thousands of COVID-19 test kits when they were scarce in the country, we helped testing the residents and staff of care homes and social solidarity institutions, we took part in pioneering COVID-19 research and we collaborated with the government, health authorities and municipalities to help fight this pandemic.

We have been able to keep our projects on track, namely those of great strategic importance for IST: the radical reform of teaching and learning model that will come into force at the beginning of the 2021/22 academic year, the construction of Técnico Innovation Center building, which will start at the end of this year and will boost our 3 campuses – Alameda, CTN and Taguspark, the strengthening of partnerships with municipalities hosting IST facilities, and the reinforcement of international partnerships. We are also strongly focused on expanding our partner network and reinforcing IST’s position as the leading school of Universidade de Lisboa.

The 110th Anniversary of IST is a good opportunity to recognise and praise the work of everyone who has contributed to the growth and development of IST, the work and commitment of the entire IST community, which tirelessly dedicated their efforts to keep our activities running this year. This is also the perfect time to congratulate, in a very special way, all those who saw their work being recognised by colleagues and students: professor Paulo Ferrão who has been awarded the title of IST Distinguished Professor this year for his outstanding contributions to scientific and academic leadership, as well as other Técnico professors who were recognised for excellence in teaching by their students. I would also like to thank everyone who received a medal for 25 years of service at Técnico, which reflects a quarter century of commitment to this great School. Finally, I would like to thank everyone who has ceased activity at IST this year, for many years of service and dedication.

Técnico’s most valuable asset is its community members, who have contributed to its continuous growth for over 110 years.

Congratulations to Técnico!

Rogério Colaço
IST President