A scholarship for each of the eight organic units of the University of the Algarve (UAlg), working in partnership with the institution's social action services to improve the living and study conditions of students and investing more in the Nuclei and Autonomous Sections are the great banners of Raquel Jacob, the new president of the Academic Association, who took office yesterday, the 7th, at the Grand Auditorium of the Campus de Gambelas, in Faro.
The young student at UAlg, who won the day 3 elections December and succeeds Pedro Ornelas, he began his one-year mandate pointing batteries to the well-being of his colleagues, in various aspects. From the outset, the conditions to be able to continue studying in Higher Education.
For this, the association is looking for business partners who are available to finance eight scholarships worth a year of tuition fees.
"Still in this term, but not for this initial phase, as it is very difficult to achieve - even if it is possible -, we want to proceed with the attribution of scholarships, one for each organic unit of UAlg, in partnership with companies in the region" , revealed to Sul Informação Raquel Jacob, on the sidelines of the inauguration ceremony.
Raquel Jacob has done her homework and has already talked to several businessmen. “We have some partners. This is a project that has been talked about in previous years. I contacted entities during the election campaign, in order to join this initiative, and they told us that yes, they are willing to contribute with the value of a scholarship. The idea is to get eight different partners, one per Faculty or School, whose name would always be associated with the project, as sponsors».
«Our idea is to research, through the General Directorate of School Establishments (DGES), which were the first students of each organic unit not to be entitled to DGES social action grant. These would be the beneficiaries, as it seems to us that this would be the fairest way», he added.
One of the "great priorities" of the new general direction of the AAUAlg will be, moreover, "to work closely with the Social Action services, especially in improving the living and study conditions of academic students".
“We here, above all, manage to play our role of fighting and asserting the rights of students. For example: we have stopped by university residences several times and have been told that it is difficult for a single student to claim something if a door breaks or there is another problem. But if it is the Academic Association body, it is easier», he illustrated.
When it comes to housing itself, Raquel Jacob assumes that AAUAlg's capacity for action is limited. “We don't have the funds for us to solve the problems of housing and social action. Not even the university can suddenly start building houses for students».
The new general direction wants, on the other hand, “to strive for proximity to students, through those simple and feasible, but at the same time essential measures, which are the improvement of sport and the conditions of nuclei and sections. By improving the conditions of those who are our students, we will certainly improve the relationship with them», he revealed to Sul Informação Rachel Jacob.
The new head of the Academic Association also shows the desire to «work in conjunction with the rectory in everything that is a review of curricular projects, in everything that concerns pedagogy and teaching».
Raquel Jacob spoke about the ideas she has for her first term, but she also heard some messages and received challenges from the dean and the mayor of Faro.
Rector Paulo Águas, despite stressing that things have been improving, considered it necessary to «take the effort to integrate new students further».
Rogério Bacalhau, president of the Faro local authority, asked the Academic Association to make more efforts to alleviate the inconvenience caused by the events it holds for the city's inhabitants. At issue are initiatives such as the Academic Week and the Caloiro Reception, but, above all, the arraiais on Campus da Penha, whose extended opening hours Rogério Bacalhau says he "does not understand", as it is a "highly populated area" .
“Both challenges make a lot of sense, not least because they arise because of people. We are here to work for around eight thousand UAlg students and ensure the well-being of those who are already here, but also those who arrive. Because if the reception of new students doesn't go well, it's not just for them that it's not good. It is for all students and for the institution itself».
On the other hand, Raquel Jacob feels that the Academic Association has a responsibility towards the inhabitants of Faro, a city that hosts the two largest UAlg poles and the major events promoted by AAUAlg.
“Of course we don't want any conflict with the citizens, but there are events that are fundamental to our financial sustainability. Obviously, we are always open to dialogue and to find the best solutions», he assured, admitting that some initiatives, such as the arraiais at Campus da Penha, which take place throughout the year, may have a shorter timetable than what happens today.
Another flag is the “financial sustainability of the association”.
“Our long-term goal is that our services, namely the two bars and the two copy centres, can generate revenue so that they are self-sufficient and do not have to be supported by the money from our events. In this way, the money obtained from events can be used more directly to improve the conditions of students, namely in the Student Nucleus and the Autonomous Sections, which are part of the AAUAlg structure», concluded Raquel Jacob.
Photos: Hugo Rodrigues|Sul Informação
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