On 28 September, the new Director of the Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences (FFCS) of the Portuguese Catholic University (UCP), professor and priest Bruno Nobre, took office in the Aula Magna Fr. António Freire sj., as well as the respective Board of Directors.

Bruno Nobre says that ‘this beginning of a new cycle of leadership at the FFCS invites us to look to the future with confidence and renewed hope’. And he recalls the FFCS's ‘tradition of academic excellence’ in the areas of philosophy and humanities.

In his inauguration speech, the Director thanked the new members of the Board of Directors for accepting the challenge of serving the FFCS. ‘On the Board of Directors, it will be a privilege to work with a young, competent and creative team that will undoubtedly be able to push ahead with the reforms the institution needs,’ he said. The Board of Directors includes Professors Paulo Dias, João Amadeu, Berta Maia, Catarina Vieira da Silva and Simone Petrella.

The new board was sworn in by the Rector, Isabel Capeloa Gil, at a ceremony attended by invited civil and religious authorities such as the Archbishop of Braga and Primate of Spain, José Cordeiro.

Father Bruno Nobre emphasised the importance of defining a strategy for the Faculty, saying that he couldn't define it alone because ‘it must involve the entire academic community’. However, he expresses his desire to ‘nurture and deepen the Jesuit identity of the FFCS’. He recognises that this Jesuit identity ‘is perhaps the most valuable thing the Faculty has to offer both to the UCP and to the Church and Portuguese society’.

José Lopes, recalling his ‘extraordinary dedication, humility, self-sacrifice and sense of justice’ throughout his tenure.

The Rector of the UCP also thanked the outgoing director of the FFCS and addressed words of encouragement to the Faculty's new board, emphasising the importance of scientific and human leadership in a director.

This ceremony was part of the annual Católica Research (CARE) event, which brought together members of all the UCP research units.