The University of Porto (U.PORTO), founded in 1911, is today one of the largest higher education and research institutions in Portugal with more than 30,000 students, 2,300 academics and researchers and 1,500 administrative staff and the best positioned Portuguese University in national and international rankings. It has 14 Faculties, 1 Business School and 60 Research Units located in 3 campuses within Porto.

U.PORTO is the 1st choice of around 23% of the Portuguese applicants to the Higher Education System and it is also the leading producer of science in Portugal, responsible for 23% of the scientific articles produced in the country (annual growth rate of 12% since 2009). Providing high-quality training and education is of paramount importance to the U.PORTO.

The contribution of its research laboratories is crucial for the results of the scientific production, namely in the fields of health and life sciences; engineering/technology; natural sciences; agricultural and veterinary sciences and education.

It provides a vast academic offer in all study fields with more than 600 degrees at undergraduate, master and doctoral levels as well as professional training programmes, covering the whole range of study areas.

The innovation produced at the University of Porto has also led to the development of several new technologies and businesses. The Science and Technology Park (UPTEC) currently host 185 start-ups that are responsible for the creation of 1500 new jobs.
U.PORTO also has a strong commitment towards society and has been consolidating its social responsibility through the promotion of volunteering projects; intensification of the interaction with several local and regional civil associations in the organization of cultural, social and artistical activities.

Internationalisation is one of U.PORTO’s strategic pillars and objectives, allowing the development of existing collaborations, as well as the establishment of innovative cooperation activities through the creation of active links with institutions from all over the world (2,200 active agreements).

In recent years, U.PORTO has coordinated and been involved in several projects, namely Erasmus+ (particularly International Credit Mobility, Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees, Capacity Building and Strategic Partnerships) and Erasmus Mundus projects, which represented a direct management by U.PORTO of roughly €36 million.

U.PORTO definitely opened its doors to the world by consolidating its internationalization process through the development of projects and initiatives with HEIs from nearly 150 countries.

Porto is located in the North of Portugal, on the north bank of the river Douro. It’s the second largest city in the country, in an urban area with more than 1.3 million inhabitants. Four main bridges (Arrábida, Freixo, Luiz I and Infante) and two railway bridges (S. João and D. Maria – this one, considered an historical monument, is no longer operational) make it possible to cross the river to the other bank (Vila Nova de Gaia). Porto is a city characterised for its granite, which makes it a city “with character”. Its climate is temperate, though quite damp.

Porto is settled since pre-historical times. It has since been inhabited by Romans, Iberians, Celts, Swabians, Visigoths and Moors (although the influence of the Moors is greater in the South).

In the national history Porto has always fought for its independence and love for freedom. Liberalism, liberty and patriotism are some of the values that have always been expensive to the inhabitants of Porto. The name “tripeiros”, for which the inhabitants of Porto are known, arises from one of those proves of patriotism: in the 15th Century, the inhabitants of Porto gave away all their meat to supply the fleet that set sail from Porto, keeping only the tripes for themselves . This is the origin of one of the most traditional dishes of the local cuisine, “tripas à moda do Porto”.

With a strong and dynamic bourgeoisie to which the city owes the epitaph of “City of Work”, Porto has always been the city of trade. Its main export product is the Port wine, which enabled the renovation of the city: new roads and buildings were built, which accounts for the richness of the bourgeoisie of the time.

The historical richness of the city is accounted for in the labyrinth of narrow and rough streets of the medieval times and in its monuments (the Cathedral, the “Palácio da Bolsa”, as well as several churches, museums and private houses). In 1996 UNESCO considered Porto “World Heritage”. This decision was largely influenced by the undeniable historical and architectural richness, by the beauty of the city and by the urban and social renovation the city goes constantly through, especially in the oldest areas. This demonstrates the cultural and social vitality of the city, which is also proven by its several Universities, art academies, conservatories, museums and art galleries.

This enabled Porto to be considered in 2001 the European Capital of Culture, together with Rotterdam. As such, great projects have been implemented aiming at encouraging cultural dynamics and continuing the urban renovation Porto has been going through.

For all these reasons, Porto gained its place as a city of work, science, culture and leisure...