This Thursday, 50 November, 30 students from the University of the Algarve (UAlg) received scholarships for excellence, which will pay the tuition fees for the 1st year of a degree or integrated masters to the best students who enrolled in the 1st year in 2017/2018 .
The challenge was launched by the University of Algarve and, once again, 42 entities from different areas, such as tourism, banking, health, real estate, commerce and services, responded to the challenge, rewarding and recognizing the merit and academic excellence of the students.
This year, for the first time, the municipalities of Castro Marim and Lagoa joined the initiative, awarding scholarships to the best students from the respective municipalities.
Also in its debut in this edition is the group of former students from the 1989-1994 class of Marine Biology and Fisheries, represented by Élio Vicente, and the group of former students from the 1989-1994 class of Horticultural and Horticultural Engineering, represented by Carlota Feitoria, who awarded two scholarships for excellence.
"This initiative aims to secure the best students in the country in this region, helping to bear their burden, especially when they have to move out of their homes," explains UAlg.
The Algarve academy, together with various entities of a regional or national scope, created this award which has already materialized in the attribution of around 250 scholarships, totaling support of around 235 thousand euros to students who have entered this University in the last six years and that stood out the most in the various courses.
Catarina Nunes was one of the students contemplated this year. He came from the Dr. Francisco Fernandes Lopes Secondary School, in Olhão, and joined the University of Algarve, in the Biotechnology course.
His entry average (18,23) would have allowed him to have chosen any course, at any university, but he opted for UAlg.
«When I told some friends that I was going to stay in the Algarve, they asked me: why? With the notes I had I could go anywhere. But I don't think they thought it through. Because, in fact, I only see positive points», he says.
“First, it's my house. Second, the University of Algarve's research is increasingly talked about positively throughout the country. And third is the Algarve. Have you seen the weather outside? And not to mention the great academic spirit that involves all students”, concluding that “the choice could not have been better”.
For Gonçalo Ramos, who finished the 12th year at Escola Secundária de Sampaio, in Sesimbra, UAlg and the Marine Biology course were his first choice. In addition to the importance of the monetary value, the student, who entered higher education with an average of 16,5, highlights the motivational factor that this initiative, by itself, generates in students.
Inês Girão, on the other hand, comes from Externato Ribadouro, in Porto, but already says that she already feels “at home”. He entered the Biomedical Sciences course with an average of 17,93 and considers that this initiative «is the recognition of his effort and dedication to get here».
From the perspective of companies, it is also important to attract and support new talent. This year, Sérgio Santos, director of Forum Algarve and Master in Business Management from UAlg, was responsible for speaking on behalf of the entrepreneurs and entities involved.
The official said that “it makes perfect sense that the academic and business environment are interconnected and with this initiative the University is a bridge between these two worlds, valuing excellence. For the director of Forum Algarve «it is a duty of companies to contribute to this type of initiatives because investing in education is investing in the future, so that the next generations can do more and better».
António Branco, dean of UAlg, highlighted, once again, the dimension of civic and social responsibility that this program represents.
For the dean, the initiative is gaining very interesting contours. «Not only are we increasing the number of companies that assume their social responsibility, investing in education, we are also diversifying the type of entities that have joined, from City Councils, to groups of alumni who are organizing to offer scholarships'.
António Branco also referred to Paulo Águas, recently elected rector, praising his well-known intention to tour companies.
"In my opinion, it did so at a good time, because, as is evident in the longevity of the Scholarships of Excellence program that we are celebrating today for the sixth consecutive time, the business sector is an important partner for the realization of these and other projects essential to the pursuit of mission of the University of the Algarve».
The dean of UAlg also highlighted the positive results, both in terms of scholarships granted, and in the global amount already awarded.
«This is one of the most important programs that UAlg has in this field», concluded António Branco.
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