Where will the degree course I want to take at the University of Minho be held? What are the opening hours of the libraries and cafés? How do I apply for a grant and join a cultural group? These are some of the questions that young people, as well as parents, psychologists, educators and the general public, were able to clarify at the UPA – UMinho Open Days event.

UMinho Open Days took place on 5, 6 and 7 March at the sports hall on the Azurém campus in Guimarães, with free admission.

The initiative showcased the educational offerings of all UMinho’s Schools and Institutes through dynamic, interactive stands featuring hands-on activities. At the School of Engineering’s stand, all fifteen of the School’s degree programmes were represented, with various demonstrations attended by around 1,500 students. Also present at the EEUM stand were Formula Student UMinho, the IEEE and other EEUM student groups, who always play an important role in sharing their academic experiences at pre-university events.

The supporting programme featured around 50 activities, some of which took place across the campus, such as exploratory visits, talks and workshops on a wide range of subjects, sparking the curiosity of participants.

It was also possible to speak directly with lecturers, support staff, researchers and students from various degree programmes about their day-to-day lives or, for example, about postgraduate opportunities or ways to develop transferable skills, which are essential for a smoother transition into the job market. And, of course, it was also possible to experience the pulse of academic life and explore the various services and facilities available, such as the laboratories where cutting-edge science is conducted to address global challenges. At the School of Engineering, around 150 secondary school students had the opportunity to visit Deucalion, PIEP, CVR and Fibrenamics – interfaces where what is taught in the classroom is applied daily to create solutions for society’s most pressing needs.

On Saturday, 7 March, the programme included an information session on UMinho’s five new dual degree programmes, as well as the session “Everything you want to know about Engineering”, attended by around 250 participants in the main auditorium of the Azurém campus, moderated by the Chair of the EEUM Academic Council, Professor Joana Cunha, and the Vice-President of EEUM, Professor Hélder Puga, with the participation of the following alumni:

Adelaide Braga – Biological Engineering

Alexandre Ferreira da Silva– Aerospace Engineering

André Lopes– Civil Engineering

André Sepúlveda– Materials Engineering

Carlos Arantes– Industrial Electronics and Computer Engineering

Francisco Rosmaninho– Mechanical Engineering

Joel Loureiro– Information Systems Engineering and Management

Jorge Azevedo– Textile Engineering

Pedro Vaz Silva– Industrial Engineering and Management

This session, which was very informative thanks to the insights provided by these alumni’s accounts of their academic and professional journeys, can be viewed here: