Portuguese universities aspire to go international
Portugal is apparently taking great steps towards acquiring a true name as a European player, not only from an economic point of view, through tourism and export, but also through education, as Portuguese universities aspire to go international.
The University of Algarve (UALG) has reported a steady increase in student enrolment this year, which indeed seems to be the general trend in Portugal. Enthusiastic about these statistics, Regional Development Minister Miguel Poiares Maduro declared that Portuguese universities will soon apply for EU funding in their hopes of expanding to an international level.
Higher education, business in some countries, international market in most, brings economic advantages and creates a common intercultural ground, which is the tendency these days. Investing in human capital (both Portuguese and foreign) has been an aspect addressed in all meetings between Government representatives and the representatives of higher education establishments. All of these institutions have been asked to submit their ideas by October 31st for the Council of Ministers to take into consideration in helping to draft a better new legislation.
The University of Lisbon, Universidade Nova, has been in the world’s 50 best higher education establishments. Occupying an honorable place 36, the university founded in 1973 is so far the only Portuguese establishment to feature in world tops.
Although steps are being taken to bring more and more Portuguese universities up in the charts and to help them go international, skeptics still feel Portugal is a long way away from the standards set by Western higher education centers.
Meanwhile, the Algarve prepares for the new school year as the tourist season is coming to an end. The University of Algarve is preparing to welcome more students this year than the year before and is impatiently waiting for the new education legislation that will enable Portuguese universities to go international.
