University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro
PUBLIC
Status
Students
Professors
History and objectives
The University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD) is a public university open to society and the world. It is, in the interior north of Portugal, the largest centre for the creation and diffusion of knowledge, developing its work in close collaboration with other universities in the country, Europe and the world, as well as with the institutional and business fabric. With its action of creation, transfer and sharing of knowledge, patenting and consortia with businesses and institutions, the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro promotes innovation and local and regional development.
UTAD was the first higher education institution in inner northern Portugal. Born as an agrarian Polytechnic Institute in 1973, grew as a university. As an institution, cemented his relationship with the city of Vila Real and the entire region, involving itself intensely in its development. Transformed an old farm on a university campus which includes one of the largest botanical gardens in Europe, where species coming from all over the world can be observed.
As part of its strategic plan, the vision of UTAD for the period 2017/2021 is reflected in the construction of an ECO-UNIVERSITY, committed to the involvement of academia and community in shaping responses to the great contemporary societal challenges.
Governing bodies
UTAD is governed by a Rector, elected by the General Council, the highest organ of the institution. The General Council is made up of professors, workers and students of the institution, as well as a set of co-opted members who represent the society.
The Rector appoints a team of Vice-Rectors and Pro-Rectors, as well as the School Presidents. Besides, he/she chairs the Academic Council, which is composed of the Presidents of the Schools, Directors of the Research Units and student representatives.
Each School has a President, a Pedagogical Council and a Scientific Council. Students are represented on the Pedagogical Councils.
Grounds
UTAD works in a green campus, which is a Botanical Garden, on the way to becoming an eco-campus. It has modern facilities, libraries, laboratories, a veterinary hospital, online services, sports equipment and offers multiple opportunities in the cultural field, accessible to its students, teachers and researchers and other workers, as well as to the community in general. It has Social Services that strive for excellence, allowing access to scholarships, modern university residences, canteens, restaurants, computer rooms, and support in the areas of medicine, psychology and nutrition.
Academic calendar
The first semester runs generally from September to December and the second semester from February to May. January, June and July are evaluation periods. There are breaks during the Christmas and Easter periods.
Academic departments
The university includes the Schools of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, Sciences and Technologies, Life and Environmental Sciences, Human and Social Sciences and Health. Each Schoool is organised in departments.
Academic programmes
UTAD’s academic offer includes around 100 undergraduate, master‘s and doctoral courses.
International programmes
UTAD promotes international exchanges, and close collaboration with institutions around the world, as part of various European and international training and mobility programs and projects. All UTAD undergraduate and graduate programs are open to international students.
