The vice-chancellor of the Portuguese Catholic University in Braga yesterday announced the start of an infrastructure renovation process, with a series of works already scheduled to begin this semester, with the aim of ‘giving the institution a new look and making it more sustainable’.
The news was announced at the end of the Eucharist celebrated at the Cathedral of Braga as part of the National Day of the Portuguese Catholic University, attended by the academic community.
According to Paulo Dias, there are areas on the Braga Campus that need improvement, ‘and the major investment will be in energy efficiency, cladding and then in many rooms’. ‘Beyond the buildings, it is a space for learning, a space for relationships, and we, not just the Catholic University in general, are focused on a model that is still very expository, very teacher-centred. Therefore, beyond everything that is external,’ namely ‘coverings, window frames,’ the ‘most important thing is what will happen inside the rooms,’ he said.
The pro-rector of the Portuguese Catholic University in Braga said that the investment aims to create spaces ‘that prioritise relationships and encounters, without detracting from the role of the teacher, who will always continue to be the teacher.’ ‘But the classroom will increasingly be a space for encounters and relationships to enhance skills, while always remaining open to the context in which we operate,’ he added.
When asked whether the works will affect classes, Paulo Dias assured that the works will be carried out at times when there are no classes, so as to cause as little disruption as possible. ‘These initial interventions are mainly in the service buildings,’ he explained, revealing that works in the classrooms will be kept to a minimum during term time. A photovoltaic panel is planned to be installed in the car park, which will restrict the use of the space for a few days. ‘Everything will be concentrated in this period until June, so that we can start the new academic year with a new look and enthusiasm,’ he said.
