XXXI General Assembly  of the CGU

Navigating Challenges in Scientific Production

University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real (Portugal),
14-16 September 2025

VISIT OUR PHOTO GALLERY FOR THIS ACTIVITY

PROGRAMME

REGISTRATION

TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATION

AND OTHER DATA OF INTEREST

CULTURAL AND
COMPLEMENTARY ACTIVITIES

LOCATION MAP
AND CONTACT

Welcome!

Our network of universities thrives when we come together to reflect, share and innovate. Under the theme Navigating the challenges of scientific production, the XXXI General Assembly will take place in Vila Real from 14 to 16 September 2025, hosted by the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro.

In this unique environment—where research and heritage meet—we will discuss how to enhance the quality and impact of scientific work, while reaffirming the values of cooperation and sustainability that define the Compostela Group of Universities.

I look forward to fruitful exchanges and to strengthening our shared commitment to higher education.

See you soon in Vila Real,

Carla Martins
President
Compostela Group of Universities

Welcome!

Scientific production is currently facing complex institutional, economic, and organizational challenges on a global scale. We could not have a better theme for our XXXI General Assembly, to be held in Vila Real from September 14 to 16, 2025.

We welcome you to an academic environment in which we combine scientific innovation with the natural environment, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the ancestral culture of the oldest wine-growing region in the world.

It will be a great honour and a privilege to host our community of universities at the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro for an enriching and fruitful dialogue.

See you soon,

Emídio Gomes
Rector
University of Trás-os-Montes
and Alto Douro

PROGRAMME

SUNDAY, 14 september 2025

09:00 – 09:30 • Previous meeting with the participants – Meeting point Hotel Miracorgo.

09:30 – 10:30 • Transport from Hotel Miracorgo to Cultural Activity at Douro.

10:30 – 15:00 • Cultural activity and lunch at River Douro, a UNESCO World Heritage Region (comfortable attire is recommended).

15:00 – 16:00 • Transport from Douro to Hotel Miracorgo and to UTAD.

17:00 – 20:00 • Executive Committee meeting | Rectorate Building – Meeting Room 3rd floor.

20:00 – 20:30 • Transport from UTAD to Hotel Miracorgo.

MONDAY, 15 september 2025

08:00 – 08:30  •  Transport to UTAD – Meeting point Hotel Miracorgo.

08:30 – 09:15  •  Registration of participants | Rectorate Building – Átrio da Reitoria.

09:30 – 13:00  •  Compostela Connection on Sustainability | Átrio da Reitoria.

13:00 – 14:45  •  Lunch | Restaurante Panorâmico UTAD.

14:45 – 15:15  •  Transport from UTAD to Claustros Governo Civil – Vila Real City Center.

15:30  •  Official opening of the XXXI General Assembly of the CGU | Claustros Governo Civil – Vila Real City Center.

15:45 – 17:30  •  General Council Meeting | Claustros Governo Civil – Vila Real City Center.

17:30 – 17:45  • Awards of prizes of the Research Pitches Contest | Claustros Governo Civil – Vila Real City Center.

17:45  • End of session.

18:00 – 19:15  • Change to formal dress at Hotels.
Dress code:
Women: Cocktail attire (dress or tailored pants with a dressy top).
Men: suit or well-tailored blazer with dress pants and a dress shirt.

19:15 – 19:30  • Meeting point: Hotel Miracorgo. Transport from Hotel Miracorgo to Quinta do Paço.

19:30 – 20:30  •  Presentation Ceremony of the XXIX International Prize Grupo Compostela-Xunta de Galicia | Quinta do Paço, Vila Real.

20:30  • Welcome drink | Quinta do Paço, Vila Real.

21:00  • Gala Dinner | Quinta do Paço, Vila Real.

23:00 – 23:30  • Transport from Quinta do Paço to Hotel Miracorgo.

TUESDAY, 16 september 2025

Compostela Dialogues in Higher Education

The challenges of increasing scientific production and
the aligned objectives for increasing competitiveness and development.

08:30  • Meeting point Hotel Miracorgo – Transport to UTAD.

09:00 – 09:15  •  Introduction to the Compostela Dialogues in Higher Education | Laboratory Buildings – Auditoriums.

Carla Martins, President of GCU

09:15 – 10:00  •  Lecture: ‘Commodities for scientific production. A new business market?’

Ricardo Simões, Head of Innovation, CCDR-Norte

10:00 – 11:00  •  Round table: ‘Recent evolution of the scientific quality production. Is it a real problem or a disruption on the established traditional publishing models?

  • Pedro Rodrigues, Vice-rector of the University of Porto (moderator)
  • Ricardo Simões, Head of Innovation, CCDR-Norte (panellist)

Compostela Café

The impact of international university ranking.

11:00 • Presentation to the Compostela Café | Laboratory Buildings – Auditoriums.

Parallel thematic panels:

  • The importance of positioning on international rankings for institutional credibility | Laboratory Buildings – Auditoriums.
    Rui Vieira de Castro, Rector of the University of Minho.

  • The different ranking scenarios and its comparability | Laboratory Building – Auditoriums.
    Diana Esther Woolfolk Ruíz, Assistant Dean for International Affairs of CETYS University.

Conclusions of the Compostela Café | Laboratory Buildings – Auditoriums.

13:15 – 13:30 • Closing of the XXXI General Assembly of the CGU | Laboratory Buildings – Auditoriums.

Presentation of the marble shell to the host university.

13:30 • Lunch | Restaurante Panorâmico UTAD.

15:00 • UTAD Campus Visit.

15:45 • Transport from UTAD to Casa de Mateus – Vila Real.

16:00 • Casa de Mateus free tour.

17:30 • Group visit to Mateus Palace.

18:30 • Transport from Casa de Mateus to Hotel Miracorgo & UTAD.

PROGRAMA EN PDF
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REGISTRATION

Register now!
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TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATION AND OTHER DATA OF INTEREST

TRAVEL

The city of Vila Real in the province of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Portugal, can be reached by plane, rail or road from major cities in the country and other European capitals. Some examples:

Plane

The closest best communicated airport is the Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport in Oporto. From here, it is simple to take a bus or other means of transportation to Vila Real.

  • Address: Pedras Rubras, 4470-558 Vila Nova da Telha, Oporto, Portugal.​
  • Phone: +351 22 943 2400.​
  • Website.

PORTO – VILA REAL CONNECTION

It is possible to travel from Porto to Vila Real by taxi or bus.

For taxis, the most recommended are the following:

  • Táxis Invicta: +351.22 507 6400
  • Táxis Unidos: +351 225029898
  • Táxis Porto: +351.22 099 7336
  • Radiotáxis: +351.22 507 39 00

For buses, we recommend the following companies:

  • FlixBus (international, based in Germany).
    • Website.
    • Phone: 00 49 30 300137300
  • GetBus (Portuguese).

Taxi

Portuguese official taxis are black, with the upper part painted green. They are the recommended means of travelling to the UTAD, as well as during the night.

Some recommended taxi companies:

  • Táxis Vila Real: +351 965 464 075
  • Táxi Nuno Lopes: +351 966 798 484
  • Táxis Caetano – Vila Real: +351 965 071 841

Rail

While there is no rail in Vila Real, there are multiple train stations a few hours away. Once there, a bus, car or taxi can be taken to Vila Real itself. The closest train stations are:

  • Godim Train Station: Godim, 5050-099, Peso da Régua
  • Rede Train Station: Rede, 5040-481, Rede, Mesão Frio
  • Regua Train Station: Largo da Estação, 5050-237, Peso da Régua

For additional information on buses to take after arriving at these train stations check here.

Bus

Vila Real has a public bus station, part of the national Portuguese network, close to the city centre.

BUS from and to Oporto Airport:

Bus companies grom and to Oporto:

Arriving at UTAD by car from the Bus Terminal: here.

ACCOMMODATION

Hotels recommended by the organisation:

Hotels Vila Real

Hotels Régua

OTHER DATA OF INTEREST

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Cultural Activities

Exploring the Douro:
history, wine and unique landscapes

Discover the unique beauty of the Douro Region, World Heritage Site, in a touristic-cultural visit. This tour will allow you to take in the terrace vineyads, learning more about the wine-making tradition of the region and explore its historic and cultural wealth.

Accompanied by expert guides, the participants will enjoy a rewarding experience that combines history, enology and nature in an exceptional environment. Do not miss the chance to learn more about one of the more representative destinations of Portugal.

See itinerary.

 

Discover Vila Real: history, culture and heritage

Immerse yourself in the charm of Vila Real, a city with a rich historic and cultural legacy. This tour will allow you to visit the old city, admire the magnificent architecture and discover the university tradition that defines its identity. Furthermore, we will visit representative locations such as the Palace of Mateus, a jewel of the Portugese Barroque, and enjoy the hospitality of this land full of history and beauty. This is an unique opportunity to explore one of the most authentic places in Portugal.

See itinerary.

 

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Location Map

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Contact

For local organizational issues

University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro

Phone: (+351) 259 350 000

Web: https://www.utad.pt/ 

For academic
and administrative organizational issues

Compostela Group of Universities

Phone: +34 881 8 12931  •  +34 619 685 245

grupo.compostela@usc.es

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