New students challenged to imagine and build the future

‘Welcome to NOVA FCT. Come imagine and build the future with us,’ was the challenge that NOVA FCT's Dean, José Júlio Alferes, ended his speech with at the New Student Reception Ceremony, which took place on 9 September in the Grand Auditorium.

Organised by the Students' Association, the event aims to celebrate the start of the academic year and the spirit of the NOVA FCT community. There weren't enough seats for so many students, excited about the start of their academic career at the Caparica Campus. This is the case of Leonor Helena, 18, who came from Odivelas to study Maths Applied to Risk Management. ‘It was my first choice. In fact, it was the only one. This is exactly where I wanted to study, I knew the school had a good atmosphere and a good maths programme,’ she explained.

Quality training and the ability to internationalise were the reasons why Luísa Virgílio chose to start her degree in Biochemistry.’ I think it will be easier to go abroad,’ she explains. Benedita de Melo, who is studying Environmental Engineering, said that NOVA FCT was her second choice, but that this was where she wanted to study after all. ‘I prefer NOVA FCT,’ she says.

The ceremony was also attended by Carla Quintão, Vice Dean for the Pedagogical Council, who, during her speech, recommended ‘Use your training for the good of your neighbour and society.’

Isabel Rocha, Vice-Rector of NOVA, in her welcoming speech, assured the new students that they had made the right choice. ‘You have made an excellent choice,’ she said. ‘Throughout its almost 50 years, NOVA FCT has brilliantly fulfilled its mission of serving the country through teaching and research,’ she concluded.

‘Make the most of the opportunities the institution offers you and believe that you have made the right choice,’ emphasised Margarida Marques, President of the NOVA FCT Student Association, who closed the ceremony.