Studying at the UC "is a unique experience"

The University of Coimbra (UC) has welcomed the incoming mobility students for the second semester of the academic year 2024/25. During the first welcome session on 3 February, Ambassador Alexandre Leitão, Consul General of Portugal in Macau and Hong Kong, was appointed UC Alumni Ambassador, something that left him with " a mix of pride and honour".

"I'm flattered that you think that the professional path I've taken could be an inspiration for young students at the UC," said Alexandre Leitão. As a working student, the now UC Alumni Ambassador continued to be involved in various activities offered by Coimbra's academic life. "I was a section member of the Coimbra Academic Association (AAC), I've always been part of AAC bodies, I ran for election in a faculty and I've been involved in UC governing bodies," he sums up.

"It's clear, even if not to those who don't know the world, that students play an important role in UC governance. Not to mention the 120 nationalities and the long history of the University of Coimbra, is a unique experience in their lives," Alexandre Leitão emphasised.

In his speech to the newly arrived mobility students, Alexandre Leitão stressed that studying at UC "is an absolutely exceptional experience, and it's worth taking advantage of the unique aspects of life in Coimbra that cannot be found anywhere else". He concluded: "The academic life that UC offers provides a foundation of knowledge, relationships and skills that will certainly be very useful throughout your life"

The investiture ceremony was presided over by João Nuno Calvão da Silva, UC's Vice Rector for External Relations and Alumni, who praised the career of the Portuguese Consul General in Macau and Hong Kong. "Alexandre Leitão is sharing his experience with us in person, which will serve as an example to these students who, coming from different countries, will begin to be shaped by what it means to be part of the University of Coimbra, something that is truly unique."

During the welcome session for the second semester mobility students, the UC Vice-Rector took the opportunity to thank the new students for "choosing the University of Coimbra". With his own mobility experience in mind, João Nuno Calvão da Silva assured them that "these will be the best days of your life".

The UC is welcoming over 600 students in this second semester, bringing the total number of incoming students for the entire 2024/25 academic year to 1,900. "Once again, this is an amazing outcome, the numbers are great," said the Vice Rector. "It's a sign of great vitality that we are getting stronger year on year," he added.

On 10 February, UC will host another welcome event for incoming mobility students, featuring Rui Dinis, business manager and current CEO & Project Director of the international consortium responsible for the design and construction of the new Medellín metro line in Colombia, led by the companies Mota-Engil and CRRC Hong Kong.