The President of IES participates in the XV National Meeting of Student Ombudsmen.

The 15th National Meeting of Student Ombudsmen took place at the Higher Institute of Engineering of Coimbra (ISEC) on September 10th and 11th, with the theme "Human Rights in Higher Education".

The theme of the 15th National Meeting, Human Rights in Higher Education, reflects a growing concern and a persistent challenge in the academic context: the promotion of the full inclusion of all students, without discrimination and with equal opportunities for academic success and well-being.

From the perspective of Student Ombudsman Offices as spaces for welcoming, integration, respect, valuing diversity, active listening, and participation, we invite the various actors in Higher Education to reflect on respect for human rights within institutions. The aim is to identify procedures, highlight best practices, learn about existing policies, and, above all, contribute to building an Academy that promotes human dignity, valuing and giving voice to all those who live, work, learn, and research within it.

Organized by the Polytechnic University of Coimbra, the meeting brought together representatives from higher education institutions, student ombudsmen, experts, and national and international organizations to reflect on the promotion of human rights, inclusion, equity, and well-being in the academic context.

The IES's participation was part of Roundtable 2 | Human Rights and Equity in Higher Education, where Joaquim Mourato shared the Institute's vision on the challenges and opportunities associated with building a more inclusive, accessible, and attentive higher education system for all students. The session also included the participation of Patrícia Rosado Pinto, from CNIPES, and Inês da Silva, representing the More Inclusive Higher Education Group.

Throughout the meeting, topics related to university governance, good institutional practices, cooperation between institutions, and the role of student support structures in promoting human dignity and equal opportunities in higher education were discussed.

The presence of IES at this meeting reinforces the institution's commitment to promoting policies of inclusion, diversity and participation, contributing to the development of a fairer, more equitable higher education system focused on the success and well-being of students.

The 15th National Meeting of Student Ombudsmen also provided a privileged space for sharing experiences and exchanging best practices among different actors in the sector, promoting reflection on the role of higher education institutions in defending human rights and building more inclusive and participatory academic communities.