Universidade do Minho (Portugal)
Founded in 1973, Universidade do Minho (UMinho) has become one of Portugal's most prestigious higher education institutions. Known for its competent faculty and high-quality research, UMinho offers a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate programs while actively engaging with other institutions and society.
The university has campuses in Braga and Guimarães, serving around 21.000 students, including 2.400 international students and 1.900 PhD candidates. With approximately 1.750 teaching and research staff and 740 administrative personnel, UMinho promotes a dynamic academic environment that fosters innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration.
As a research university, UMinho focuses on the application of knowledge in socio-economic contexts, developing numerous successful partnerships. For the seventh consecutive year, it has been ranked among the top 500 universities globally in the Shanghai Ranking 2022. Additionally, the 2022 U-Multirank awarded UMinho the highest scores in 12 performance indicators, particularly highlighting its strengths in research, internationalization, knowledge transfer, and regional engagement, reflecting its commitment to quality education and global outreach.
The Institute of Education (IE) serves as a vital teaching and research unit within UMinho, dedicated to advancing educational practices. IE’s mission involves developing projects that enhance education through research and societal interaction, contributing to the growth of individuals and communities. The institute offers a variety of programs, including undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degrees, and collaborates with other schools for joint initiatives. It also provides advanced internships and postdoctoral opportunities.
Research at IE focuses on teaching and learning processes, aiming to improve educational practices and socio-educational development. The institute engages with the community through training courses and consultative activities, sharing its expertise widely. IE also collaborates internationally, particularly with Portuguese-speaking countries.
The School of Sciences contributes to knowledge generation in fields such as Physics, Chemistry, Geology, Biology, and Mathematics, offering comprehensive training and leading significant research and community initiatives.
Its professors and researchers lead or participate in leading scientific institutions, such as the International Instrumentation and Particles Laboratory (LIP), the Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), the International Barcode of Life consortium and, at the national level, Collaborative Laboratories in close cooperation with innovative companies. They also coordinate or participate in initiatives of interaction with society, such as the European Researchers Night, the International Masterclasses in Particle Physics and the Project Bosch-UMinho.
