Universidade De Aveiro

Created in 1973, the University of Aveiro quickly became one of the most dynamic and innovative universities in Portugal. Now a public foundation under private law, it continues to develop and implement its mission to provide undergraduate and postgraduate education, to generate research and promote cooperation with society. Attended by about 15,000 students on undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, the UA has achieved a significant position amongst higher education institutions in Portugal, being one of the top universities regarding the quality of its infrastructures, the strength of its research and the excellence of its staff. The UA is a highly regarded institution of research led education, constituted by university departments, research units, polytechnic schools, interface units, and a vocational education network. Its integrated structure permits the articulation and harmonisation of the teaching and research environments, and enables the construction of individual educational paths, from post-secondary technological specialisation programmes to doctoral degrees. Teaching activities are developed in a research-based environment, and throughout the academic year, dozens of national and international conferences are organised, generating a dynamic and multicultural atmosphere for students and staff. Excellence in research is one of the hallmarks of the University: 15 of its 18 research units were classified as Very good or Excellent by international panels under the sponsorship of the Portuguese National Science Foundation in its most recent round of assessments. Four of these units carry the label of Associate Laboratory, a distinction attributed by the Portuguese Government to research institutions of sustained and exceptional merit. Research at the UA promotes innovative products and solutions, contributing to the advance of science and technology. It is a privileged partner for companies and other national and international organisations with which it cooperates on numerous projects and for which it provides important services. During 2010, UA was active in 369 research and technology transfer projects, of which 32 were financed by international and European programmes, mainly FP6 and FP7. These projects were developed in different scientific areas: cellular biology; ceramics and composite materials; design; education and behavioural sciences; electronics and telematics engineering; environmental and marine sciences; geo-technologies and geo-engineering; governance, competitiveness and public policy; languages and cultures; technologies and science of communication; mathematics and applications; mechanical technology and automation; music and dance; nanostructures, nanomodelling and nanomanufacture; organic chemistry and telecommunications.

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