Students on the Master's degree in Psychology and Human Resource Development (MPDRH) from the Faculty of Education and Psychology at the Universidade Católica Portuguesa (FEP-UCP) visited Amorim Cork Solutions, a leading company in the cork sector.
The initiative took place within the scope of the "Tutoring" course unit and aimed to bring students closer to the business reality, promoting the practical application of knowledge acquired throughout the course.
"It was an opportunity to get a close look at a real organisational context, reflecting on how human resources dynamics are practically articulated with production processes," explains Adélia Monarca, the lecturer responsible for the course unit.
During the visit, which took place on 16th April 2025, the students were welcomed by an employee from Amorim Cork Solutions, who presented the company's mission, values, organisational culture, and environmental commitment. This was followed by a guided tour of the manufacturing facilities, allowing them to observe, in real time, the various stages of cork processing and the functioning of a highly demanding industrial environment.
For the lecturer from the Faculty of Education and Psychology, "these experiences allow for the construction of more realistic images of working conditions, such as the perception of the importance of noise and odour issues in the daily lives of teams."
A critical look at business reality
The visit also had a very positive impact on the students. Maria Carreira highlighted that the experience "reinforced the link between the theoretical content of the master's and its practical application in a concrete business context, allowing for critical reflection on the role of human resources in organisational performance."
Inês Pires also valued the contact with the factory reality: "We understood how the organisation of work in an industrial context can directly influence productivity, motivation, safety, and the well-being of workers." The student also highlighted the empathy generated by the presence of a former FEP-UCP student at the company.
For Mariana Almeida, the visit to the context allowed for "a closer look at business reality and reinforced the importance of integration between production processes and human resources practices."
Skills Developed and Highlighted Topics
Among the aspects that most captured the students' interest were issues related to occupational safety and health, contact with cutting-edge technologies, and the real-time operation of the factory — fundamental elements for understanding the current challenges of people management.
This visit is part of a solid partnership between FEP-UCP and the Amorim Group, within the scope of the curricular placements for the Master's in Psychology and Human Resource Development, and reflects the Faculty's commitment to providing rigorous academic training that is close to the reality of organisations.
According to Adélia Monarca, similar initiatives are already being planned for the future: "It is very important to provide these experiences, to give sense and meaning to what is conveyed in the classroom and through screens."
