Faculty of Law of the University of Coimbra celebrates 188 years with optimism and ambition
The commemorative event was held on 5 December at Colégio da Trindade.
On 5 December, the Faculty of Law of the University of Coimbra (FDUC) marked its 188th anniversary with a ceremony that underscored the institution’s significance on both the national and international legal and academic stages. The Director of FDUC, Jónatas Machado, emphasised the Faculty’s role in training legal professionals committed to justice and the democratic rule of law, as well as the challenges that lie ahead.
‘Today, we celebrate another auspicious anniversary of our Faculty, which remains steadfast in its mission to create and disseminate knowledge while fulfilling its social responsibility to train jurists capable of addressing the challenges of our time, within a framework of freedom of thought and critical dialogue,’ said Jónatas Machado.
The Director emphasised the dynamic environment at FDUC, marked by a steady stream of academic and scientific initiatives held weekly. These initiatives, he noted, enable the Faculty to ‘diagnose and understand problems, expand networks of collaboration, and foster debates as well as legislative and administrative proposals that advance legal benefits for the entire community’.
He highlighted the Faculty’s collaboration with international institutions and initiatives, including the Master’s programme in partnership with the University of East Timor and other joint ventures with Portuguese-speaking countries. 'This Faculty represents a vibrant cultural mosaic, with students from more than 50 nationalities contributing to the richness of the academic experience in Coimbra.', added Jónatas Machado.
The ceremony also included remarks on the 500th anniversary of the birth of Luís de Camões by Dean Rui de Figueiredo Marcos and the presence of East Timor's ambassador, Isabel Amaral Guterres, who stressed the cultural and academic ties between the two countries.
The Rector of the University of Coimbra, Amílcar Falcão, said: 'The FDUC has developed in a very strong and positive way, especially in the field of research. After 14 years in the Rectorate of the UC, I am very pleased to say that the UC now secures much more funding and participates in many more European projects than national ones. It has numerous European projects and even coordinates some of them, which is a remarkable achievement from a scientific point of view'.
"The Faculty of Law enjoys a globally renowned reputation, which also contributes to the prestige of the University of Coimbra," said the Rector, expressing his gratitude to the Faculty of Law.
The session also featured speeches by the UC Vice-Rector for Heritage, Buildings, and Tourism, Alfredo Dias, and the UC Vice-Rector for External Relations and Alumni, João Nuno Calvão da Silva.
The ceremony concluded with the official signing of protocols and the presentation of school prizes, following a musical performance of 'Sintonias' by the Orquestra Clássica do Centro ensemble.
