Amílcar Falcão: “Being Rector of the University of Coimbra is an enormous challenge, but at the same time an immense honour”

“Citius, Altius, Fortius – Communis: faster, higher, stronger – together!”: Amílcar Falcão used the Olympic motto to address his first words to a "united, supportive, constructive, committed and resilient academy", during his speech at the investiture ceremony as Rector of the University of Coimbra (UC), which took place this Wednesday.

"If we want to move forward swiftly, we may go alone; but if our ambition is to go further, we have to rely on our community," said the Rector of the UC, reelected for the 2023-2027 term, recalling several of the unexpected challenges to which the UC responded during the 4 years of the term that ended yesterday.

Several challenges were pointed out by the Rector of the UC for the term that now lies ahead, "aware that, although there are extrinsic factors that are either uncontrollable or impossible to foresee - such as the geographical location and government policies - there is still a wide range of intrinsic factors yet to be explored".

In order to face the challenges, Amílcar Falcão called for the involvement of the whole community, with "an active and fruitful cooperation from the Organic Units and Units of Cultural Extension and Support to Training (UECAFs)", in close articulation with the Senate and the General Council: "The work ahead of us can only be a collective endeavour."

“Being Rector of the University of Coimbra is an enormous challenge, but at the same time an immense honour. I am counting on the whole academy, without exception, to help me raise even further the prestige of this secular institution", concluded Amílcar Falcão.

The investiture ceremony of the Rector of the University of Coimbra, in the Great Hall of Acts (Sala dos Capelos), was followed by the swearing-in ceremony of the vice-rectors and pro-rectors who will work alongside Amílcar Falcão. Meet the new team here.