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The University of Algarve is a young state university, located in the southern part of Portugal, one of the most touristic regions of Portugal. The University has witnessed significant growth in terms of the student population, modern facilities, and the quality and diversity of programs on offer. Founded on the 16th January 1979, the University of Algarve results from the union of two preexisting institutions, the University of Algarve and the Polytechnic Institute of Faro, which makes it somewhat unique from most universities given that Faculties and Schools of both systems, co-exist. In 1982, the first rector of the University, Prof. Gomes Guerreiro (1982-1986) was appointed, following by Prof. Lloyd Braga (1986-1990), Prof. Montalvão Marques (1990-1993), Prof. Alte da Veiga (1993-1997), Prof. Adriano Pimpão (1998-2006), Prof. João Guerreiro (2006-2013) and Prof. António Branco, the current rector since 2013. Following the approval of the Universities Autonomy Law, the Assembly of the University of Algarve, comprising the representatives of academic and administrative staff and students of all the Faculties and Schools, approved the Statutes in 1991, which received subsequent approval by the Ministry of Education. In 2001, the first University Statute amendment was published in the Portuguese government’s official gazette. The University student population is today close to 10,000 and employs over 700 academics. It has three faculties and four schools, offering a range of quality undergraduate and postgraduate courses in beautiful academic settings. Recently, there has been a significant increase of foreign students from more than 60 countries due to the internationalization strategy of the University of Algarve. The quality and diversity of European Masters and Doctorates, combined with post-graduate courses open to students from all over the world justify the magnitude of this mobility. It is an important center for cultural, scientific, and technological development, with strong regional, national and international ties, offering students the opportunity to explore various careers as they gain transferable skills. In these last three decades, the University of Algarve has consolidated the link established with the regional business and with the public and private organizations, encouraging the transfer of knowledge and contributing to sustainable development with an impact across the community. The institutional policy for the quality of UAlg is based on the sharing and commitment of the academic community with the mission and values defined in its Statutes and with the guidelines defined in its Strategic Plan, with the objective of continuous improvement of its activity. The Strategic Plan integrates objectives, strategic initiatives, and respective indicators, established for each of the areas: Teaching, Research, Extension, and Governance and was the object of an intense process of consultation and debate both internally and externally, with the participation of all stakeholders. View full university