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Institutions

  • PUC volunteers plant 1,800 trees in area hit by forest fires 

    Around 1,800 trees were planted in the heart of the Serra da Estrela by volunteers from the Polytechnic University of Coimbra (PUC), in an initiative that took place on 29 March. The action took place in Folgosinho, in the municipality of Gouveia, and was organised in collaboration with the Folgonatur Association, the Folgosinho Waste Land, the Folgosinho Parish Council and Gouveia Town Council. The initiative, entitled ‘Together We Will Help Reforest Serra da Estrela’, aimed to contribute to the recovery of biodiversity and the restoration of the areas affected by the 2022 fires in the Serra da Estrela Natural Park.

    The action brought together students, teachers and non-teaching staff from the Polytechnic University of Coimbra, and involved planting chestnut, oak and birch trees – species native to the region. The choice of these species aims to promote the ecological resilience of the area, which was severely hit by the forest fires of 2022.

    For Ana Ferreira, PUC’s vice-president, ‘this reforestation initiative is further proof of PUC’s ongoing commitment to environmental, social and economic sustainability. It reflects the commitment and dedication of the entire academic and external community, which has always been willing to collaborate in favour of a more sustainable future. PUC will continue to invest in initiatives like this, which contribute to environmental health and global well-being, encouraging everyone’s active participation and promoting positive and lasting change.’

    The reforestation action took place in the context of the celebration of International Forest Day and World Tree Day, celebrated on 21 March. It was also part of the ‘UNIgreen Days’ campaign, promoted by the UNIgreen Alliance, of which PUC is a member, helping to offset the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions produced in its daily activities. This event is also aligned with the ‘Politécnico de Coimbra +Sustentável’ project, the aim of which is to implement sustainable environmental practices and measures in all areas of the Polytechnic University of Coimbra. 

    This event not only sought to restore the region’s ecosystem, but also to sensitise the community to the importance of adopting responsible attitudes towards environmental preservation and sustainability.

    Folgonatur, a non-profit association set up after the 2017 fires, has been one of the main drivers of reforestation actions in Serra da Estrela, working tirelessly to mobilise human and material resources for the environmental recovery of the region.

  • PUC’s 1st UNIgreen Week: Focus on Sustainability & CSRD

    Polytechnic University of Coimbra’s schools ESTGOH and CBS|ISCAC hosted the BIP 1st UNIgreen Business Week: Sustainability and CSRD Report, an inter-institutional partnership initiative dedicated to Sustainability and Corporate Reporting (CSRD). The 29 students from six European countries immersed themselves in the topic in the online session, which began on 23 June, and in person between 7 and 11 July.

    The technical-scientific sessions, along with the cultural and sporting activities that took place, used technology, the campus and the region to connect sustainability in business, physical exercise and well-being.

    The young talents from Spain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Italy, Poland and Portugal not only learnt how to analyse and apply the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the CSRD Guidelines but also put them into practice through an intensive challenge where they investigated the concrete actions and methods of communicating sustainability and social responsibility of relevant companies in UNIgreen partner countries, culminating in impact presentations.

    The face-to-face week was attended by lecturer Elisabete Neves (CBS|ISCAC) and Eduardo Moura (Director Investors & ESG, EDP Group) who enriched the discussions, bringing a practical and current perspective on the challenges faced by companies in adopting sustainable practices.

    Visits to Quinta dos Jugais, the Interpretive Centre in Bobadela and the Olive Oil Museum, in the municipality of Oliveira do Hospital, not only enriched the participants’ knowledge, but also connected them to local traditions and sustainability practices.

    The highlight was the pitches, where the students showed off their innovative ideas, proving the power of international collaboration and technology in promoting practices that guarantee environmental preservation and ecological balance in business.

    With the awarding of certificates, this first UNIgreen Business Week in Portugal ended on a high note, reinforcing the institution’s commitment to training the next generation of leaders who are aware of and prepared for the challenges of sustainability.

  • PUC’s Agricultural School Invests in Sustainability

    With an investment of 1.3 million euros from the Environmental Fund — Energy Efficiency in Central Public Administration Buildings Program No. 01/C13-i02/2021 — PUC’s Agricultural School is transforming 4 of its buildings — Central Building, Agricultural Store and Machinery Laboratory, Animal Reproduction Laboratory and Block Z-Student Association — in a mission to decarbonise and improve energy and water efficiency.

    The improvements include the installation of thermal insulation, double glazed windows with thermal break, smart LED lighting, and high-efficiency climate control systems. In addition, solar panels were installed to heat water and produce electricity for self-consumption, including batteries, and measures to save water are also planned.

    These changes will allow the Agricultural School to save 402 MWh/year, avoiding the consumption of 65 tons of oil and the emission of 155 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere.

    This initiative reinforces the institution’s sustainability policy, which has already managed to reduce energy consumption by 30% in the last decade.

  • PUC’s Agricultural School is accredited 7 micro-credentials in the fire area

    PUC’s Agricultural School has been accredited by the National Qualification Subcommittee (SNQ) of the Integrated Rural Fire Management System (SGIFR) with 7 micro-credentials included in its National Qualification Plan.

    PUC’s Agricultural School is, therefore, the first higher education institution in the country to have a wide range of training courses in the fire area recognised, some of which are already included in the Master’s Degree in Forest Resources and the Bachelor’s Degree in Forest Sciences and Natural Resources.

    These micro-credentials cover subjects related to fire behaviour and susceptibility, fire behaviour simulation, technical fire, and natural engineering applied to fires.

  • PUC’s Cultural Centre promotes inclusion through sign language

    On its path towards inclusion, the Penedo da Saudade Cultural Centre, a cultural initiative of Polytechnic University of Coimbra (PUC), recently introduced interpretation in Portuguese Sign Language at most of its events.

    This was carried out as part of a project that aims to promote the inclusion of the deaf community, actively contributing to the removal of communication difficulties and thus providing effective access to the arts and culture for people with hearing limitations. 

    The Polytechnic University of Coimbra is one of the Portuguese higher education institutions with a degree in Portuguese Sign Language, one of Portugal’s three official languages – alongside Portuguese and Mirandese – recognised in the Portuguese Constitution in 1997, with its own vocabulary and grammar. 

  • PUC’s Global Week Highlights Internationalisation at Home

    Polytechnic University of Coimbra organized the staff week ‘Global Week 2025’ from 19 to 23 May. The highlight was the international conference Internationalisation at Home, which brought together experts and representatives from national and international higher education institutions to reflect on the challenges and opportunities of internationalisation in the local context. 

    The opening session was attended by Joana Loureiro, Head of Coimbra City Council’s International Relations office, who emphasised the importance of incorporating an international perspective into the daily life of educational institutions, highlighting the role of this approach in forming more empathetic, innovative and collaborative communities. She also stressed the cosmopolitan vocation of Coimbra, a city that ‘lives internationalisation on a daily basis’, through cultural events, international summits and a strategic commitment to knowledge. ‘Coimbra is the ideal place to ensure true Internationalisation at Home, where students, teachers and non-teaching staff can live meaningful intercultural experiences without leaving their environment,’ she said.

    Ana Rita Fialho, representing the National Erasmus+ Education and Training Agency, praised the dynamics promoted by the Polytechnic University of Coimbra in the area of internationalisation, stressing the relevance and impact of its initiatives in the context of Portuguese higher education. Closing the opening session, Maria João Cardoso, at the time PUC’s pro-president and Institutional Coordinator for International Relations, gave a brief overview of the main international actions and strategies developed by the institution, including UNIGreen.

    The programme also featured two important speeches: the vice-rector of the University of Aveiro, Sandra Soares, who addressed the current challenges of internationalisation in Portuguese higher education, and Sara Connelly, from Conestoga College (Canada), who presented the COIL model – Collaborative Online International Learning, highlighting the potential of virtual collaborative learning to promote internationalisation at home.

    Also noteworthy was the high level of participation from the polytechnic community (students and teachers) in attending the conference.

    Throughout the week, PUC welcomed more than 40 participants from 16 countries, representing 19 higher education institutions. The initiative included conferences, workshops and cultural events with the aim of promoting reflection on the challenges and future of mobility in the context of the Erasmus+ Programme.

    In addition to the academic environment, the international guests had the opportunity to get to know the city of Coimbra through cultural visits and moments of conviviality, and to strengthen ties between the institutions by promoting the exchange of good practices in the area of internationalisation, mobility and teaching. 

    Global Week 2025 reaffirms PUC’s commitment to internationalisation and the development of collaborative networks, promoting Coimbra as a meeting point for cultures and knowledge.

  • Ricarda shares her insights from ESA Experience

    “In May 2025, I had the opportunity to take part in the European Student Assembly (ESA) in Strasbourg, an event organised as part of the European Universities initiative, which brings together over 200 students from all over Europe every year. These students are selected to debate major contemporary issues and formulate concrete political proposals for European institutions.

    For several months prior to the Assembly, each participant takes part in a thematic panel. I was on panel 2, entitled ‘Greener Tomorrow’, which focused on the issues of environmental sustainability and green transition in Europe.

    Within this panel, I worked with other students on Policy 6, entitled “From Knowledge to Action: Green Skills Initiative for a Sustainable Future in Higher Education”.

    Our main objective was to design a European initiative to encourage students to become more involved in projects linked to sustainable development, by integrating “green skills” into higher education courses.

    We proposed the introduction of a European framework for sustainable skills, accompanied by concrete incentives for universities and students: such as training modules, collaborative projects with local partners, or academic credits rewarding environmental commitment.

    Once in Strasbourg, in the hemicycle of the European Parliament, we had three intensive days of debates, reviews and votes. Each policy was discussed and reviewed by all the participants, in a democratic and collaborative spirit. At the end of the Assembly, the policies that achieved consensus were included in a final report, to be shared with European decision-makers, universities and partner organisations.

    Taking part in ESA 2025 was an outstanding experience: a civic, intellectual and human experience. I was able to interact with committed young people from all over Europe, strengthen my skills in argumentation and negotiation, and gain a better understanding of the mechanisms of European governance. It was a very enriching experience that I would recommend to any student looking for change.

    Ricarda VOKA LUKENSU
    Student in industrial engineering at University-College of the Province of Liège (HEPL)

    All photos © Fusing Pheonix

     Access the full ESA25 Policy Recommendations

  • Scientific Article: Turning Food Waste into Value

    New Sustainable Powders from Spent Osmotic Solutions

    In a groundbreaking study published in Applied Sciences, researchers from the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), along with partners from Portugal and Greece, have explored an innovative way to reduce food waste and promote circular economy practices in the food industry.

    The team focused on “spent osmotic solutions” – sugary liquids left over after the dehydration of fruits like apples. Typically considered waste, these solutions still contain valuable nutrients and natural compounds. The researchers asked a simple but powerful question: could these by-products be turned into something useful?

    Their answer came through spray drying – a technique widely used to turn liquids into powders. The scientists tested seven different osmotic solutions, including sucrose, two types of honey, fruit juice concentrates (apple, cherry, chokeberry), and mannitol, a sugar alcohol. To make the powders more stable, they used inulin, a natural fiber with prebiotic benefits, as a drying aid.

    The results were promising. Solutions based on sucrose and buckwheat honey successfully transformed into powders with good physical properties like solubility and flowability – meaning they can easily be used in food production, from instant drinks to nutritional supplements.

    However, not all mixtures behaved the same. Fruit juice concentrates and acacia honey proved trickier to dry, largely due to their stickiness and sugar composition, which caused low yields and processing challenges. Interestingly, mannitol – though dried without any carrier – produced fine, crystalline powders, but its small particles made recovery from the dryer more difficult.

    Despite some hurdles, the study highlights real potential for repurposing waste streams into high-value food ingredients. In particular, using inulin as a healthier alternative to traditional additives like maltodextrin adds a nutritional bonus.

    As food producers increasingly seek sustainable solutions, this research provides a roadmap for turning what was once discarded into functional, eco-friendly products. With further refinement, the approach could support zero-waste goals and reduce reliance on synthetic ingredients across the food sector.

    This international collaboration, supported by UNIGREEN European University, reflects how science can contribute to a more sustainable and resource-efficient food system – one powdered ingredient at a time.

    Full Article

  • Serra da Estrela Natural Park Reforestation Action

    On 16 March 2024 , the Polytechnic University of Coimbra (PUC), in partnership with the Folgonatur Association, the Baldios, the Folgosinho Parish Council and the Gouveia Town Council, carried out a reforestation initiative in Serra da Estrela entitled “Together we will help reforest Serra da Estrela”.

    The event involved around 50 volunteers from PUC – students, and teaching and non-teaching staff – and 13 members of the Polytechnic of Viseu.

    Together, they planted 1,778 trees of native and indigenous species in an area of the parish of Folgosinho that was badly affected by the forest fires that took place in the summer of 2022.

    The aim was to mark International Forest Day and World Tree Day, which is celebrated on 21 March, by making the community aware of the importance of assuming social and environmental responsibility when taking actions related to sustainability and the environment.

  • SGGW hosted the ‘Building Resilient Higher Education through Microcredentials’ conference

    The event included opening presentations, panel discussions and debate sessions focusing on best practices and innovative strategies for implementing microcredentials.

    The event was opened by SGGW Rector Prof. dr hab. Michał Zasada and dr hab. Karol Chrobak, who welcomed the participants and expressed their wishes for fruitful deliberations, the results of which would contribute to the creation of solutions tailored to contemporary educational needs.

    Dr Daria Sikorska and Dr Nina Drejerska were responsible for the event coordination. The conference was held as part of the UNIgreen satellite events, a project funded by NAWA.

  • SGGW Hosts Green Campus International Conference: “Trees – Multifunctional Element of Ecosystems”

    Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW) successfully hosted the Green Campus International Conference titled “Trees – Multifunctional Element of Ecosystems” on October 1st, 2024. The event brought together researchers and environmental experts to explore the vital role trees play in maintaining ecological balance and supporting sustainable development.

    The conference served as a platform for interdisciplinary dialogue, focusing on the many functions trees fulfill within ecosystems. Discussions ranged from trees as carbon sinks helping to combat climate change, to their role in urban landscapes and biodiversity preservation. A special emphasis was placed on the contribution of trees to improving air and water quality, protecting soil, and fostering biodiversity.

    Notable speakers included leading environmental scientists and forestry experts, who shared their latest research on tree management and the multifunctional benefits trees offer to both rural and urban ecosystems. 

    This international event highlighted the importance of promoting green initiatives, such as afforestation and sustainable urban planning, as essential measures to combat environmental degradation. By fostering a greater understanding of trees’ ecological value, the conference aligned with SGGW’s mission to support sustainable environmental practices and advocate for greener campuses worldwide.

  • SGGW Launches New Global Partnership Hub

    International partnership, tangible benefits, a new spot on the SGGW map officially launched.

    The June meeting of the SGGW UNIgreen Team showed that the idea of a European university is no longer just a plan, it is a reality in which our university plays an important role. UNIgreen is a partnership that brings tangible results.

    On Monday, 30 June 2025, a meeting of the UNIgreen Team took place in the SGGW Main Library. The milestones were highlighted, further activities were planned, and current challenges were presented.

    One of the main agenda points was the grand opening of the UNIgreen Office at SGGW, which took place in the hall of the SGGW Main Library. Speeches from university authorities and project team representatives accompanied the symbolic unveiling of the logo.

    Dr hab. Marta Mendel, prof. SGGW, Vice-Rector for Internationalisation, emphasised the importance of SGGW’s participation in the alliance:

    UNIgreen has a real influence on shaping the future of European higher education. Thanks to this project, we are developing joint study programmes and strengthening the university’s research potential. This is not just formal cooperation – these are fundamental tools that our students and staff can use today.

    Dr hab. Karol Chrobak, the SGGW UNIgreen coordinator, also stepped up:

    Noting that the opening of the UNIgreen Office is an essential organisational step and a symbolic one. It is a place where all those involved in the project can count on support, information and cooperation. We are delighted that SGGW is so actively involved in creating this European network. I hope you all will visit this place and join us in our efforts to shape the future.

    In the evening, a banquet for all those involved in implementing UNIgreen took place at the Limba Student dormitory. It was an opportunity for informal conversations, strengthening relationships, and integrating the team implementing this transnational project.

    The meeting and accompanying events were not only a substantive summary of activities, but also another stage in strengthening the involvement of the SGGW academic community in international partnerships, which results in practical opportunities for development, exchange of experience and improvement of the quality of education.

  • SGGW organises webinar “Empowering Women in STEM: Pathways to Entrepreneurship and Innovation”  

    The Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW) is organising the webinar “Empowering Women in STEM: Pathways to Entrepreneurship and Innovation” on 5 June 2024, at 15:00 CEST.

    Join the webinar host, Katarzyna Zabielska-Koczywąs (PhD, Ambassador of the ‘Girls for Science’ programme organised by Perspektywy and the Academy of Young Scientists, Polish Academy of Sciences), for a meeting with Paola Del Zotto Ferrari, a renowned founder and president of Accademia di Gagliato Globale, NanaShapes LLC and the Houston Business and Professional Women’s Club.

    With 30 years of experience in building and leading non-profit organisations in science and technology, women’s entrepreneurship and community regeneration, Paola is a corporate and business sustainability consultant. Her insights will be invaluable for those interested in STEM and entrepreneurship.

    The webinar is the sixth in a series of interactive webinars. These sessions provide a unique opportunity to meet women who have achieved success in the field of science/business and learn about their career paths, experiences, and road to success. The webinar is held under the patronage of Prof. Marta Mendel, the Vice-Chancellor for International Cooperation.

    The webinar will be held in English and will take place on MS Teams platform using the following link.

    More information: https://www.sggw.edu.pl/uczelnia/rowne-traktowanie-w-sggw/przeciwdzialanie-dyskryminacji/plan-rownosci-plci/webinaria-womens-lab/