Academic institutions are built through the people who, over the years, contribute to their identity, growth, and capacity for innovation. It was with this spirit that I attended the inauguration ceremony of Professor Paulo Novais as the new Director of the Computer Science Department at the School of Engineering of the University of Minho, held on June 23rd.

The new leadership also includes Professor António Sousa, who assumes the role of Deputy Director, initiating a new leadership cycle for one of the most prestigious Computer Engineering departments in Portugal.

A ceremony marked by continuity and a vision for the future

The ceremony was attended by the President of the School of Engineering, Professor António Vicente, the Vice-Presidents Professor Hélder Puga and Daniel Oliveira, as well as dozens of teachers, researchers, students, alumni, retired professors and representatives of various partner institutions.

The significant participation of the academic community demonstrated recognition of the Department of Informatics’ trajectory and the confidence placed in the new leadership, precisely in the year in which the Department celebrates its fiftieth anniversary.

“A legacy that shapes the future”

In his inaugural address, themed “A Legacy that Projects the Future,” Professor Paulo Novais paid tribute to the individuals who contributed to the affirmation of the Department of Informatics over the past decades, acknowledging the work developed by previous administrations, faculty, and researchers who helped build a reputation for excellence.

One of the messages that most struck me was the statement that:

“A legacy is not passively inherited. It is projected.”

This idea remarkably summarizes what should be the mission of any university institution: to respect the past, value the present, and ambitiously prepare for the future.

A vision based on four pillars.

During the presentation of the strategy for the coming years, the new Director identified four fundamental principles that will guide the Department’s evolution:

• Rigor that defines us;
• Method that sustains us;
• Intelligence that sets us apart;
• Ambition that takes us further.

These pillars reflect a clear vision for the Department’s development, based on strengthening the quality of teaching, scientific research, innovation, and its connection to society.

Among the announced priorities are the consolidation of the new educational offerings, which include Master’s degrees in Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Advanced Computing, and Computer Networks, as well as the creation of a Bachelor’s degree in Artificial Intelligence, keeping pace with the growing demand for skills in this strategic area.

Investing in people and the innovation ecosystem.

Another of the central aspects of the intervention focused on valuing people.

Professor Paulo Novais highlighted that the Department’s greatest asset continues to be its community of teachers, researchers, technicians, students and former students, also defending a reinforcement of the infrastructures and innovation ecosystem that characterizes the Department of IT at the University of Minho.

This vision is deeply aligned with what has distinguished the Department throughout its history: the ability to combine excellent scientific research, demanding teaching and a strong connection to the business fabric.

A particularly significant moment.

For me, this ceremony also had a very special meaning.

Throughout my academic career, I have had the privilege of closely following the work developed by Professor Paulo Novais, whose dedication to research, innovation, and the training of new generations of researchers is a reference for many of us.

His strategic vision, ability to bring people together, and constant willingness to promote scientific collaboration represent fundamental qualities for leading a Department that continues to play a decisive role in the evolution of Computer Engineering in Portugal.

I am convinced that this new stage will further strengthen the Department’s international projection, consolidating its position as a center of excellence in teaching, research, and knowledge transfer.

The future is built upon a legacy of excellence

The Department of IT at the University of Minho is going through a particularly important moment in its history.

Celebrating fifty years of existence, it continues to assert itself as one of the main national research hubs in the areas of Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Software Engineering, Intelligent Systems, Cybersecurity, Distributed Computing and Knowledge Engineering.

The new Directorate assumes functions in a context of enormous technological transformation, in which challenges such as Generative Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing, Digital Security and Data Engineering require innovative responses from universities.

I am certain that, under the leadership of Professor Paulo Novais and Professor António Sousa, the Department will continue to honor its legacy, projecting it towards new scientific, academic and technological challenges.

I wish the new Management every success in this mission, certain that it will continue to contribute to affirming the University of Minho as a national and international reference in Computer Engineering and scientific research.

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