On February 7th, “knowledge as hope” was celebrated at the solemn session of the National Day of Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP).
“In our classrooms, laboratories and libraries, we cultivate more than ideas: we cultivate hope. Hope for a fairer, more sustainable and inclusive future.” This is how Isabel Capeloa Gil, President of UCP, began her reflection on the ceremony's motto, inspired by the Jubilee of 2025.
This was followed by the intervention of Mgr Rui Valério, Chancellor of the UCP, who said that “marking the identity and mission of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa through the prism of this theme allows us to understand more deeply what it means to be a Catholic university”.
In this solemn session, businessmen Ilídio Pinho and Vasco de Mello were awarded the degree of Doctor Honoris Causa, the highest honour given by a university, for their contributions to society.
Ilídio Pinho, a prominent figure in the Portuguese business and philanthropic scene, “is a figure who transcends business success”, said João Pinto, director of Católica Porto Business School, and sponsor of the honouree.
The businessman emphasised his lasting connection to Católica and guaranteed: “I'm going to keep working, I've already said that I won't retire, not even after I die, because what I do has to last beyond myself, the companies, the foundation, the art collection, and everything else”.
Also honoured at this session, Vasco de Mello was described by his doctoral godfather, Vice-Rector Miguel Athayde Marques, as “larger than life”.
The recipient accepted the award “with deep honour and a sense of responsibility”, highlighting several important aspects of his career and family life in his speech.
Also present at the ceremony, the Minister of Education, Science and Innovation, Fernando Alexandre, emphasised the importance of higher education institutions in transforming the country's future.
The ceremony also included the imposition of insignia and the awarding of doctoral licences to the new doctors at UCP. On this occasion, Helena Carmo made history by becoming the first deaf person to obtain a doctorate from the Universidade Católica Portuguesa.
Silver and gold medals were also presented to Católica´s employees who had completed 25 and 40 years of service.
Unable to be present at the session, Cardinal D. José Tolentino Mendonça left a video message, in which he reflected on hope, highlighting that “the vocation of a university is to become a laboratory of hope”.
