Coimbra, Portugal, July 16, 2025 (Lusa) - The new president of the Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra said on Wednesday that she intends to strengthen ties with local authorities, companies and other economic agents, as well as investing in lifelong learning and reaching out to new audiences.
‘The Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra must promote cultural creation and dissemination to the entire academic community and the population of the territories in which it operates, contributing to inclusivity and equal access in this field. At the same time, it must strengthen its links with local authorities, companies and other economic agents,’ said Cândida Malça.
The Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra (IPC) elected Cândida Malça on 16 May as president for the next four years, succeeding Jorge Conde, who led the institution for the last eight years.
At the inauguration ceremony, which took place this afternoon, Cândida Malça stressed that the IPC should focus on lifelong learning and reaching out to new audiences, “in a spirit of innovation and inclusion”.
‘The promotion of active citizenship among members of the IPC community is equally essential, encouraging conscious participation in political, social, economic and cultural life and supporting involvement in social initiatives and projects with an impact outside the academic context. These actions should benefit local and global communities, but also consolidate the prestige and institutional image of the IPC,’ she said.
Throughout her speech, the new president stated that she believed in a more proactive, unifying, innovative, global, and resilient IPC, but also one that is more democratic, fair, transparent, and inclusive.
‘The IPC needs to renew its vision and mission, embracing pedagogical innovation, applied research and the enhancement and sharing of knowledge produced as determining and competitive factors in local, national and international development. It should implement policies that lead to real collaboration and coordination between its organisational units, as well as increase its national and international collaborative networks,’ she said.
The affirmation of the Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra as an institution committed to society requires a renewed ambition in its relationship with the outside world.
“This interaction with society plays a strategic role, translating into multifaceted action that includes cultural enhancement, the strengthening of partnerships, the encouragement of active citizenship and the promotion of social responsibility,” she pointed out.
Cândida Malça emphasised the need to strengthen research by increasing activities and services that involve a greater number of companies and institutions in the region, resulting in added value in products, processes, and services.
She also stated that international cooperation is a cornerstone of all academic activities, encompassing training, research, development, innovation, as well as art and culture.
“It is essential to continue promoting international networks as instruments for enhancing internationalisation. To this end, it is important to involve the entire IPC community, encouraging participation and dynamism in the activities that take place within these networks,” she concluded.
This afternoon, the presidential team and the directors of the research, training, and development support units also took office.
Mário Velindro and Ana Ferreira also ran in the election, which Cândida Malça won with 62.85% of the votes.
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