Higher Education Debate: Impact of the Impulso Jovens STEAM and Impulso Adultos Programs in Porto

The Great Auditorium of the Abel Salazar Building at the University of Porto hosted the III National Meeting of the Impulso Jovens STEAM and Impulso Adultos Programs on May 18th. Organized by the Institute for Higher Education (IES, IP) in partnership with the University of Porto, the event brought together consortia and partners to assess this crucial initiative for the transformation of higher education in Portugal, funded by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR).

The opening session included speeches by Cláudia Sarrico, Secretary of State for Higher Education, and of António de Sousa Pereira, Rector of the University of Porto. In her speech, the Secretary of State highlighted the historic investment of over 250 million euros, which enabled the signing of 33 Program Contracts. She noted that this strong collaboration between the public and private sectors has generated a significant impact on the continuous qualification of the population, the modernization of institutions, employability, and territorial cohesion.

The detailed analysis of the Program's results was the responsibility of Inês Vasques Branco, Member of the Board of Directors of IES, IP. In his presentation, he reflected on the direct impact on students and new target audiences, supported by the dynamics of pedagogical innovation and ongoing institutional changes. Additionally, he emphasized the relevance of territorial impacts and the consolidation of strong cooperation networks, which effectively brought academia and the job market closer together.

The Panel Discussion, moderated by Vice-Rector of the University of Porto, José Manuel Castro Lopes, promoted discussion on innovation and institutional cooperation. The conversation included the participation of Pedro Dominguinhos, President of the National Monitoring Committee of the PRR, of Miguel Faro Viana (Infraestruturas de Portugal, Next Level Higher Education for All Consortium | Lisbon Polytechnic Institute), of Maria Lima (D'Aquela Kombucha, Consortium Programme for Multidisciplinary Education and Training – Impulso Jovens STEAM & Impulso Adultos | University of Porto) and of Francisco Porto Fernandes, President of the Academic Federation of Porto.

The participants addressed the strategic importance of the PRR funds, identified the main constraints and operational difficulties experienced by the institutions, and left a message for the future, emphasizing the urgency of ensuring the continuity and sustainability of the work being carried out.

The closing session was led by President of the Board of Directors of IES, IP, Joaquim Mourato. In his address, he highlighted the magnitude of the financial investment, the effectiveness of the consortium work, and the direct involvement of 61 Higher Education Institutions. The President reaffirmed the role of IES, IP as an intermediary beneficiary throughout the program's implementation process, expressing particular appreciation for the close relationship cultivated with the partner institutions. The meeting concluded with a largely positive assessment of the impact of the Impulso Programs in the country.

This event also included, in the Abel Salazar Building, an exhibition of projects developed within the scope of the programs, namely:

Platform For a Global Health – Qualification of Human Health Resources

Leader: IPSN – CESPU

Co-promoters: ESECVP – Alto Tâmega, ESEP, ESSCVP – Lisboa, ESSNorteCVP, ESSSM, IESF, IUCS-CESPU, ISPUP

Maieutics Consortium

Leader: University of Maia

Co-promoters: Polytechnic Institute of Maia

UAlg+Skill4All

Institution/Leader: University of Algarve

MERIDIES Consortium

Institutions of the Consortium: Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, Polytechnic Institute of Beja, Polytechnic Institute of Santarém, Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal, University of Évora

IPAlliance – Integrated Platform for Lifelong Learning and Training for Healthcare Professionals

Leader: School of Nursing of the University of Porto

Co-promoters: Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto & School of Health of the Polytechnic Institute of Porto

Living the Future Academy

Consortium Institutions: University of Coimbra, University of the Azores, Coimbra School of Nursing, Polytechnic Institute of Guarda, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu

HEAD_L – Alliance for Higher Education for the Development of Education, Training and Research in the Portuguese-Speaking World

Promoting/Partnering Institutions: Lusófona University, Lusofonia Polytechnic Institute, ISEC Lisboa, ISLA Gaia, ISLA Santarém, ISMAT, Autonomous University of Lisbon (UAL)

PROMETHEUS – Boost for Adults & Youth STEAM

Leader: University of Évora

Co-leaders: Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal, Atlantic University

25 – SONDA2026 – Smart Open Networks for Development Acceleration

Promoting Institution: Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal

UBImpulso – Green and Sustainable Growth in a Digital World

Promoting Institution: University of Beira Interior

1. BLUE DESIGN ALLIANCE

Participating Institutions: School of Arts and Design, Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo, School of Biotechnology of the Catholic University of Portugal, School of Hospitality and Wellness of the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança

“CIVIC” AND “GLOBAL”!

Promoting Institution: Nova University of Lisbon

Empowering People and the Territory – R&D

Promoting Institution: Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra

PRR BAITS (Business, Art, Innovation, Technology, Sustainability)

Promoting Institution: Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo (IPVC)

Fosteam@South

Leader: University of Madeira

Partners/Consortium: University of Algarve, University of Évora, Nova University of Lisbon

SKILLS4FUTURE YOUTH STEAM BOOST | ADULT BOOST

Promoting Institution: Polytechnic Institute of Leiria

Resilient P.PORTO (Porto Multidisciplinary Training Program) – «IMPULSE»

Promoting Institution: Polytechnic Institute of Porto

AVEIRO EDUCATION AND SOCIAL ALLIANCE

Promoting Institution: University of Aveiro

More Digital: Knowledge, Training and Employment

Promoting Institution: Iscte – University Institute of Lisbon

Between the Tagus and the Sea – CETM

Institutions of the Consortium: Polytechnic Institute of Santarém, Polytechnic Institute of Tomar, Infante D. Henrique Higher Nautical School

NextLevel@IPL

Leader: Lisbon Polytechnic Institute

Co-promoter: Lisbon Higher Institute of Engineering

Impulse Project 2025

Promoting Institution: Open University

U.Porto Program for Multidisciplinary Education and Training

Promoting Institution: University of Porto

Lifelong Health Education Project

Leader: ESSALCOITÃO / Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa

Co-promoters: ESEL, ESSCVP-Lisbon, U. Egas Moniz

Postgraduate Alliance – Skills for the Future

Promoting Institution: University of Minho

Tourism International Academy (TIA)

Leader/Institution: Estoril Higher School of Hospitality and Tourism (ESHTE)

Co-promoters: Universidade Aberta, NOVA University of Lisbon

IPV REGION PROMOTES AND INCLUDES

Promoting/Partnering Institutions: Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, Open University

SKILLS BOOST2025@IPCA

Promoting Institution: Polytechnic Institute of Cávado and Ave (IPCA)

Polytechnic Network A23

Institutions of the Consortium: Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, Polytechnic Institute of Tomar, Polytechnic Institute of Guarda

UTAD – Skills for Life

Promoting Institution: University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD)

Training for resilience – a value for the future

Promoting Institution: Catholic University of Portugal

We are sharing photos from the event at IESuperior Portfolio – 3rd National Meeting