The presence at UA of students, faculty, researchers, and technical, administrative, and management (TAG) staff from multiple nationalities greatly contributes to the cultural and intellectual strengthening of the academic community, fostering a cosmopolitan and plural environment.
These members bring with them different ways of thinking and acting, pro- moting diversity among the student and faculty population, with an impact on the organ- ization of the University and the ways academic life and research activities are developed. However, the bidirectionality of this academic exchange is essential, so promoting interna- tional mobility and encouraging it within the UA community should be an increasing priority, providing transformative experiences for faculty, researchers, students, and TAG staff, and contributing to UA’s more global integration into the world.
Internationalization is fundamental for any university as a strategy to attract new talent, create and foster global networks that enhance the quality and impact of its teaching and research. Creating strategic partnerships with foreign universities plays a vital role for UA, enhancing the development of joint research and the genuine sharing of knowledge. In this context, the continued investment in the European University ECIU stands out, serving as a strategic element in consolidating and expanding UA’s presence in the European land- scape, in a context of demographic contraction, globalization, and a strong push for the internationalization of Portuguese higher education institutions (HEIs). At the same time, strengthening relationships with Portuguese-speaking countries is a commitment that has been made and should continue as a way to expand UA’s brand globally.
UA 2030 Commitments: UA in the World
Internationalization strategy
Promote internationalization as a priority to attract talent and consolidate global collaboration networks, positioning UA as a reference university in the international context.
International mobility
Encourage mobility for students, faculty, researchers, and administrative staff, highlighting the benefits of these experiences for UA’s international impact and for enriching the aca- demic community.
International strategic partnerships
Promote the strengthening of collaborations with foreign universities, with a special focus on the European University ECIU, consolidating this alliance as a strategic lever for creating new ways of teaching, researching, and innovating. This includes investing in pedagogical innovation, joint research, knowledge sharing, and expanding UA’s interna- tional impact and presence.
Leading knowledge production in the Portuguese language
Strengthen relations with Portuguese-speaking African countries, where the UA brand is already visible in many universities. Receiving students from PALOP and CPLP countries, welcoming them as representatives of brotherly nations, as well as establishing cooperative partnerships with Portuguese-speaking universities, is a committed effort to expand the UA brand globally.