Two students in the Bachelor’s program in Communication Sciences at the Portuguese Catholic University – Braga were recognized in the second edition of the Academia de Notícias Scholarships, an initiative aimed at promoting the integration of young talent into the media and journalism sectors.
Olivia López and Miguel Brito de Medeiros are among the four national winners of this edition, which focused on the theme of 50 years of Local Government. The Portuguese Catholic University – Braga is the home institution for two of the winning projects, a result that highlights the quality of the education provided in the field of Communication Sciences.
Olivia López was awarded the JN Scholarship for her project “The North Grew Up in the Factories. What Now?”, which explores the realities and challenges of the textile industry. Miguel Brito de Medeiros, meanwhile, won the TSF Scholarship for his project “Municipal Youth Councils: The Phantom Body,” a proposal focused on young people’s civic and political participation at the local level.
Each scholarship is worth 2,500 euros and will allow students to develop their journalistic projects under the guidance of the editorial staff at Jornal de Notícias, TSF, and O Jogo. For this edition, 36 projects were submitted from nine institutions of higher education.
For Miguel Brito de Medeiros, receiving the scholarship represents significant recognition of his achievements to date and an incentive to pursue his professional aspirations.
“Having the opportunity to receive this scholarship is a very important incentive to continue pursuing my professional goals, especially during this final phase of my bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences.”
It is, without a doubt, an honor to have this kind of journalistic experience with leading national media outlets, not to mention that I’m carrying the name of Católica Braga with me as I take on this new challenge.
Beyond everything I stand to gain from the scholarship, the sense of mission in giving voice to a topic so dear to me is the true driving force behind my work, which obviously goes hand in hand with a significant boost to my academic resume in the field of journalism.”
Olivia López also highlights the significance of the award, both from an academic and personal standpoint.
“Receiving this fellowship from the Academia de Notícias is a huge source of motivation for me. I feel it’s a very important opportunity to grow, learn, and produce journalism that has a real impact.
This project also holds special personal significance for me. I grew up surrounded by family and friends connected to the textile industry, so I’ve always witnessed firsthand the importance this sector holds for so many people and for the development of our region. I know this award will also be a source of great pride for them, which makes this opportunity even more special.
I hope to use this experience to gain an even deeper understanding of the sector, listen to the people on the ground, and grasp the challenges and opportunities it faces. Above all, I want to produce a report that is thorough, compassionate, and grounded in the local communities—one that gives a voice to the people who are part of this industry and contributes to a more informed discussion about its future.”
The winning projects will be developed by the end of November, with editorial guidance from partner newsrooms. Through this initiative, the Academia de Notícias aims to create opportunities for hands-on training and direct exposure to professional journalism, thereby facilitating the transition from academia to the job market.