On June 25, the first meeting of the University College of the Associação Portuguesa do Ensino Superior Privado (APESP) took place at the University of Maia. This inaugural meeting brought together the rectors and directors of private higher education institutions with the aim of promoting strategic dialogue, strengthening inter‑institutional cooperation and reflecting on key issues for the future of the sector.
The Escola Universitária Vasco da Gama (EUVG) was represented by its President, Prof. Dr. Ferdinando de Freitas, who actively participated in the session, contributing to discussions on priority areas of collaborative work and on topics with broad impact on higher education in Portugal.
During the meeting, participants discussed a range of strategic themes, including the organization of research and possible scientific cooperation models, pedagogy in university teaching in connection with DGES and PRR‑funded consortia, faculty career development, relations with the Agência de Avaliação e Acreditação do Ensino Superior (A3ES), and the implementation of the Law on Degrees and Diplomas.
The discussions also highlighted the impact of the ongoing review of the Legal Regime for Higher Education Institutions (RJIES), the regulation of distance learning, the growing integration of artificial intelligence in higher education, and the planning of activities for the 2025/2026 academic year.
Professor Ferdinando de Freitas’s participation in this inaugural meeting underscores EUVG’s commitment to fostering a collaborative network among university institutions and to promoting excellent, innovative and future‑oriented higher education.