The elected members of the new Conselho de Escola - CE (School Board) of the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon (Ciências ULisboa) took office at the end of the morning this Tuesday. The inauguration ceremony brought together, at the Rectorate of the University of Lisbon, the new members of the CE, several representatives of the management and other governing bodies of Ciências ULisboa, and members of the community.
The ceremony was attended by Luís Ferreira, Rector of the University of Lisbon, who inaugurated the new members of the School Board elected to represent teaching staff, technical and administrative professionals, and students. In the near future, the 12 new members are expected to co-opt three external personalities with no connection to the University of Lisbon.
Elected members of the School Board took office this Tuesday
At the ceremony this Tuesday took office Nuno Garcia dos Santos; Margarida Amaral; António Amorim; Cátia Pesquita; Fernando Ferreira; Rui Taborda; Patrícia Faísca; Teresa Alpuim and Andreia Figueiredo as representatives of the teaching staff. Susana Gonçalves and Cláudio Fernandes will take up seats on the School Board as representatives of technical and administrative professionals. Student representation will be assumed by Salomé Melo. The School Board is an elected collegiate body, which has deliberative functions, in addition to electing the management of Ciências ULisboa.
The new members of the School Council may have to serve an exceptionally shorter term, which may not be much longer than a year, should the RJIES be enacted. The new Regime, which has already been approved by the Assembly of the Republic, stipulates that the different Higher Education institutions will have up to a year to review and amend their statutes. In addition to this deadline, the RJIES can only come into force if it is enacted by the President of the Republic, António José Seguro.
Nuno Garcia dos Santos, professor in the Department of Physics, described the moment as “a demonstration of the dynamic spirit of Ciências ULisboa”. For her part, Margarida Amaral, professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, admitted feeling the “honour” of taking on a “noble role” which will allow her to decide “on laws and regulations”, with her swearing-in to the School Council of the institution where she has worked “for the past 43 years”. Teresa Alpuim, from the Department of Mathematical Sciences, thanked the presence of the members of the management of Ciências ULisboa and of the outgoing members of the School Board and reiterated the “pleasure in doing new things” when taking on management roles.
As the School Board is a deliberative body, Luís Ferreira took the opportunity to recall the financial challenges and the impact caused by some of the most recent legislative initiatives. “This is what awaits you,” warned the Rector regarding the mandate of the new members of the School Council, while also conveying a message of optimism. “This is our home. This is where we like to be!” concluded the Rector of the University of Lisbon.