"With determination, we lean on the legacy of the past to open the doors of the future." This is how Isabel Capeloa Gil, Rector of the Catholic University of Portugal, summed up the University's mission during the session marking its National Day on February 2. Addressing the academic community at the Cardinal Medeiros Auditorium in Lisbon, the Rector added that despite being "uncertain", the future is always looked upon "with hope".
Under the motto "Knowledge at the Service of Social Fraternity", Isabel Capeloa Gil reflected on the role of the University "that teaches to aspire in a country where risks are rarely taken" and that is oriented to "the development of science at the forefront of knowledge, to scientific, artistic, and technological innovation, oriented to equity and social inclusion".
During her speech, the Chancellor highlighted the UCP's contribution to the national scientific system and the university's continuous growth, especially emphasizing innovation. She highlighted as examples the recently launched degree in Applied Data Science, in the Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences, and the new degree in Liberal Sciences, which will be launched in 2023. He also mentioned the Strategic Development Plan which, among several measures, proposes the renewal of methodologies and curriculum reform, with the aim of "overcoming disciplinary monocultures, focusing on transversality and articulation of knowledge".
In this session marked by the importance of knowledge, Barbie Zelizer and José Manuel Durão Barroso were distinguished as Honorary Doctors by Universidade Católica Portuguesa.
Barbie Zelizer, holder of the Raymond Williams Chair at the Annenberg School for Communication of the University of Pennsylvania, is, according to Isabel Capeloa Gil, "one of the most influential and respected global academic voices in the area of Journalism Studies". When thanking for this distinction, the researcher highlighted the important relationship built with the Catholic University for almost 20 years, explaining that this collaboration has contributed to strengthen her academic thinking. "Portugal and the Catholic University have become my second home", she affectionately referred.
José Manuel Durão Barroso, Director of the Centre for European Studies and visiting professor at the University's Institute of Political Studies, was described by the Dean as "a personality who shaped crucial moments in the development of Portugal, Europe, and the world, present in decision-making positions at the most critical and transformative moments in Europe in recent decades."
Durão Barroso left messages of gratitude to the entire academic community, noting: "this Honoris Causa doctorate means a lot to me, not only because it comes from an institution in my country, but also because it is from one of the schools where I work as a professor. In his speech, the former President of the European Commission defended the importance of Europe, stating that "the border for the defense of our interests and our values is today the European border.
At the end of the session, D. Manuel Clemente, Magno Chancellor of the University, recalled the theme of the Catholic University Day, "Knowledge at the Service of Social Fraternity," inviting those present to see it "as an existing reality and now projected with even more conviction.
The ceremony also included the presentation of the insignia and doctoral letters to the new doctors, and the awarding of medals to employees who celebrated 25 and 40 years of service to the University.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
