Yesterday, the Portuguese Catholic University in Braga launched and presented its new Applied Management course, which will open next academic year with 60 places. According to Bruno Nobre, director of the Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences, this course aims to enable students to "develop a critical spirit, understand the world, know how to read the present moment, which is, as we know, very complex, and we have no doubt that the Faculty, with the resources it has, and also the Ignatian tradition, will enable a differentiated course capable of responding to the challenges of the present".

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the session, the director said that the Applied Management course in Braga is already ‘an old dream’ that has now been realised. ‘I believe that the degree comes at a time when Braga's business fabric is vibrant, so I think it is very timely. Institutions have their own timing, and we believe that the conditions are now in place to start a good Management course at the Faculty,’ he said.

The pro-rector of UCP in Braga, Paulo Dias, recalled that his institution ‘has capital, a relationship with the national and international territory that is very relevant, which is widely recognised, and this is because there is excellence in teaching and research.’ ‘And now what we want to bring is all that capital a little further north to Braga,’ he added.

Regarding the course structure, the coordinator of the new degree programme explained that the first two years of training will focus on management, covering areas ranging from economics to accounting, not to mention leadership, behaviour and information systems. Then, in the third year, Ana Salazar revealed, students are invited to choose one of two strategic areas, namely tourism or business analytics. Tourism ‘because we already have a lot of knowledge and we have people who specialise in this sector, which is also a growing sector’, and business analytics because today ‘it is a highly sought-after area’. "One of our core values, linked to our Jesuit tradition and Catholic values, has a lot to do with the humanistic component, with dignity, with ethics, with the issue of sustainability at all levels, and therefore we believe that this course will make a difference because of its connection to the market and its different approach. We also want the practical aspect, which is very emphasised here," he pointed out.

For the CEO of dst, José Teixeira, the advantage of this course is that it explores the ‘angle of philosophy in management, of social psychology in decision-making’, which will enable better decisions.

Varico Pereira, chairman of the Board of Directors of Hotéis do Bom Jesus, emphasised the fact that this course brings students closer to the business world. In his opinion, this will be the key to the success of this degree. ‘It is essential to have this connection,’ he said.

Finally, the vice-president of Braga City Council, Altino Bessa, welcomed this new educational offering which, he argued, will attract more students and more knowledge, hoping that they will then stay in the city to ‘make their contribution’, whether business or social.