On 28 May, the Braga Regional Centre of the Portuguese Catholic University (UCP) marked the 25th anniversary of its establishment at an event that celebrated the journey and development of the Campus and the Faculties of Philosophy and Social Sciences and Theology.

At the opening session of the 25th Anniversary Ceremony of the Braga Regional Centre, the Pro-Rector, Paulo Dias, guaranteed that this institution will ‘continue to train people for the world’. He added that ‘the UCP Braga Regional Centre was born 25 years ago with this vocation. Combining a heritage of decades of service to higher education, closely linked to Philosophy, Humanities and Theology, but which has been opening up and engaging in dialogue with the different areas of social sciences, technology and tourism’. The Pro-Rector of Católica Braga is certain that ‘from Braga, Católica will continue to make a difference’.

Next, João Duque, Professor at the Faculty of Theology at UCP - Braga, reflected on the journey and the people who raised the Campus. He also recalled that the ‘significant development of the region seems to suggest an even greater extension of the training’ offered by this institution.

In her speech, the Rector of the UCP, Isabel Capeloa Gil, stressed that ‘with more than 800 students and a growth of 2% in the last year, the Braga Regional Centre is part of the organic - and not federative - universe of the UCP, a presence that acts at regional, national and global level. It serves the region, serving the country and making an important contribution to UCP's global positioning’.

At the end of the session, José Cordeiro, Metropolitan Archbishop of Braga, argued that the role of the UCP Braga Campus today is to ‘offer the Gospel of Christ to the world’. Archbishop José Cordeiro ended with a message for the academic community: ‘Let us go forward with lively hope, seeking and taking risks in the ever new pilgrimage of longing for the future.’

The Eucharist that marked this commemorative date was presided over by Bishop José Cordeiro in the Immaculate Chapel of Our Lady of the Conception. 

With music and conviviality, the academic community and guests gathered for dinner in the Espaço Vita Cloister to round off the celebrations.