Sines, Portugal, June 23, 2026 (Lusa) - João Pires, chair of the committee responsible for setting up the higher education institution to be established in Sines by the Setúbal Polytechnic (IPS), said on Tuesday that this represents a commitment to the region and an open door to internationalisation.
“This is not a project exclusive to the IPS. It is a commitment by the region, based in the municipality of Sines, but, as a regional project, it also opens the door to internationalisation,” he said.
The inauguration of the Founding Committee for the Higher School of Sustainability, Industry and Digital Technologies took place today at the Sines Arts Centre, as part of the 1st IPS Sustainable Territory Forum.
In his view, the future school will strengthen “the image of Sines and the Alentejo Litoral as a region for investment”.
The committee, he said, “brings together experience gained in managing IPS schools and coordinating courses and projects”, as well as in “collaborating with organisations and initiatives in different professional and institutional contexts”.
Speaking to the Lusa news agency, João Pires explained that the committee will work, over a maximum period of five years, to establish the new school and define the areas of study, in collaboration with “the community and the region’s economic and social fabric”.
Only in this way, he continued, will it be possible to “accurately assess exactly which training programmes will be necessary for the region’s development”.
However, according to the official, in the 2026/2027 academic year, the institution is expected to “launch a postgraduate programme linked to port management” and “a series of micro-credentials” geared towards “career change and lifelong learning”.
“From there, the committee is expected to work on the accreditation of bachelor’s and master’s degrees, as well as higher-level vocational courses,” he explained.
The president of the IPS, Ângela Lemos, described the creation of the new college as “a major achievement” for the institution, the region and the country.
“It means bringing higher education to a region that previously had none,” she said, adding that this presence will enable local people “to stay here, retain talent and also attract talent from elsewhere”.
Lemos told Lusa that the process for establishing the future higher education institution in Sines is expected to be completed within “three to four years”.
She added that IPS is working with Sines Municipal Council, the Alentejo Regional Coordination and Development Commission and the Government.
“We are also working on drawing up a programme contract with the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation” regarding the future higher education institution, she said.
According to the IPS president, there is already “land available for the building” and the local authority is “working on the tender specifications for the design of the project”.
When asked about the progress of the student halls of residence under construction, she indicated they would be completed by the end of August.
“By 31 August, the halls of residence will be completed, and I hope that, next year, we will already be able to accommodate some students” from the Higher Professional Technical Courses (CTeSP).
According to the IPS’s official website, João Pires holds a PhD in Fine Arts (specialising in Art Education) from the University of Lisbon and a Master’s degree in Educational Sciences (specialising in Educational Technologies).
HYN/ADB // ADB.
Lusa
