A bachelor's degree is a journey of discovery and growth where one gains deep knowledge and skills to shape the future. August 29 and 30 were dedicated to the new undergraduate students who chose CATÓLICA-LISBON to solidify their knowledge.
The afternoon of August 29 began with a welcome speech to CATÓLICA-LISBON given by Filipe Santos, who congratulated the new students on their academic achievements, preparing them now for the adventure of higher education. The Dean highlighted CATÓLICA-LISBON as the ideal school to shape the mind and spirit, emphasizing the institution's three pillars: rigorous knowledge, inspiring learning, and social impact. Filipe Santos emphasized the importance of collaboration over competition and encouraged students to use the tools they acquire to promote positive changes in the world. He also highlighted the impact each one can have on the lives of others: "We can always help and create impact for our family and friends, which, on a small scale, is the easiest part. But at CATÓLICA-LISBON, we truly believe in large-scale impact, which requires courage to explore the unknown through tools like business, management, innovation, development, and impact. If you master these tools and become good managers capable of inspiring people to give their best; if you become entrepreneurs who launch and develop new projects to solve social problems and impact the world; if you become data experts or economic policy consultants capable of implementing the best policies to promote development, business growth, and poverty reduction, you will be able to build a successful career and make a significant global impact. And at CATÓLICA-LISBON, you will learn to master these tools."
Filipe Santos also reminded these new students that they are about to experience the best years of their lives and that they will always have the support of a strong and cohesive community.
Professor Rita Coelho Do Vale, Dean for Undergraduate Programs at CATÓLICA-LISBON, in her welcome speech, stressed the importance of this new chapter in the students' lives as they enter the university world and leave behind the status of high school students. Rita Coelho Do Vale highlighted CATÓLICA-LISBON's mission to provide an excellent educational experience where students have the responsibility to decide what and how much they want to learn, with their effort being crucial to future opportunities.
The flexibility of undergraduate programs is one of the institution's pillars: “Along with academic rigor and excellence, our undergraduate programs are also structured to offer you maximum flexibility," said the Professor, allowing students to specialize in areas of greatest interest, thus becoming unique. Moreover, the institution, as reinforced by Rita Coelho Do Vale, values a cooperative and friendly environment, treating each student in a special and personalized way: "We like to call our students by their first name and treat each one of you in a special way”.
Rita Coelho Do Vale also mentioned the support that will be provided throughout the academic journey, highlighting several essential departments such as the Student Union, the International Office, the Career Talent Office, and the Alumni Office. These services are designed to help students overcome challenges, develop skills, and prepare for the job market.
August 30 was dedicated to the solidarity activity, an action that is already part of CATÓLICA-LISBON's Welcome Week and involves collecting leftover potatoes that are left in the fields after the first harvest due to their inadequate size, which are then delivered to social welfare institutions. This initiative to Combat Food Waste seeks to offer an alternative to conventional initiation practices, aiming to integrate new students and promote, from the beginning, the spirit of solidarity aligned with CATÓLICA-LISBON's values.
The new CATÓLICA-LISBON students felt deeply impacted by this activity organized by the university. Aldo, a new Business and Administration student, expressed his admiration: "I never imagined that on the second day of academic life, we would be harvesting potatoes, but I am loving the experience. I'm making friends, practicing my English and I've just realized how hard this type of work is. Appreciating this effort enriches us a lot”. Carolina, now an International Management student, mentioned the fact that CATÓLICA-LISBON stands out for such actions: “I thought that this kind of activity only happened in the U.S., and I thought that university initiation practices in Portugal were only the traditional ones. I found it amazing to participate in a solidarity activity."
Throughout the day, in the various testimonies collected, the new students consistently highlighted the importance of these activities so that everyone can experience the true meaning of the "CATÓLICA-LISBON community."