The Faculty of Education and Psychology (FEP) of Universidade Católica Portuguesa in Porto opened its doors for the FEP-UCP Spring International Week 2023 (SIW23), an event that took place from March 27th to 31st aimed at promoting and reflecting on internationalization in higher education, as an essential challenge of the faculty’s agenda to integrate an international and intercultural mindset that transcends the borders of the University campus.
"New Routes to Global Engagement – Part II" was once again the central theme of FEP's international week of the second semester, which included 17 presentations, 3 round tables, and 1 workshop with the participation of 10 countries: Austria, Brazil, Cyprus, Spain, USA, India, Italy, Poland, Romania, and Turkey.
This international week began with more than 90 participants of the Correctional Research Symposium on the first day, whose pre-event took place on Universidade Católica campus, organized by Raquel Matos, the faculty’s director.
SIW23 also offered a workshop facilitated by the EAT-Erasmus Project team - Enhancing Equity, Agency, and Transparency in Assessment Practices in Higher Education, which includes the researcher from the Center for Human Development Research (CEDH), Diana Mesquita.
"At FEP, we continue to firmly believe in the relevance and even the urgency of a greater international focus within higher education institutions, in order to be well prepared for the future," emphasizes Patrícia Oliveira-Silva, a member of the FEP board, about the importance of organizing and participating in international weeks.
Regarding the event that brought together several international teachers and researchers, Adina-Elena Glava, from Babeș-Bolyai University in Romania, highlights "everyone’s support and dedication, including the commitment of doctoral students." Francisco Mendes-Palma, director of Global Engagement at Universidade Católica Portuguesa, states that this initiative "is the guiding thread that an International Student (teacher/researcher/employee) should have from the learning and social experience of studying abroad."
Each semester, FEP hosts an International Week, which allows the creation of a global community with a wide range of events for its partners and other universities that celebrate and recognize the importance of global education and international mobility in higher education.
