At the Catholic University, the commitment to excellence and inclusion is the guiding principle for all academic activities, mobilising the academic community to grow and innovate with social responsibility. In this context, the role of the teacher is central, in that it contributes to the link between institutional commitment and the daily lives of students, thus assuming a fundamental role in strengthening bonds and a sense of belonging, as well as in promoting the academic success of students.
This importance also stems from what truly inspires those who teach in higher education: a genuine passion for knowledge, the pleasure of research and the desire to share this enthusiasm with new generations, contributing to their academic and personal growth.
This motivation coexists, however, with multiple challenges. The teaching profession currently faces a growing bureaucratic burden and pressure on scientific productivity, which often marginalises the time devoted to teaching and student support. At the same time, rapid social, economic and technological changes require the constant reinvention of teaching methodologies. Artificial intelligence and emerging new digital technologies pose new challenges, but also offer new opportunities for the co-creation of learning processes that are more flexible, reflective and adapted to the diversity of student profiles.
Teachers in the 21st century must therefore maintain a desire to share and build knowledge in an ever-changing ecosystem. The role of teachers is evolving from simply imparting knowledge to actively creating inclusive, collaborative academic environments focused on student success.
The UCP4SUCCESS project reflects this vision by focusing on data-driven monitoring to flag the risks of dropout and academic failure. It develops peer mentoring programmes, such as UCP4Mentor, which promote integration and support among students.
The workshops support students' adaptation and learning and offer teachers training on new pedagogical challenges and innovative tutoring models. It promotes cultural activities that strengthen integration, respect for diversity and students' personal development. The UCP4SUCCESS Scholarships recognise students who show the greatest progress in their academic results during their first year.
In this project, the priority is to create spaces for joint reflection that inspire the renewal of practices and policies supporting students' academic paths, in order to strengthen a culture of sharing and overcoming challenges at Católica. In line with the University's values — social justice, inclusion, excellence and respect for human dignity — the UCP4SUCCESS project reaffirms the role of teachers as protagonists in building resilient, innovative and sustainable academic communities.
Armanda Gonçalves
Professor at the
Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences,
Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Coordinator of UCP4SUCCESS