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University of Porto

Founded in 1911, the University of Porto (U.Porto) is a benchmark institution for Higher Education and Scientific Research in Portugal and one of the top 200 European Universities according to the most relevant international ranking systems.

The U.Porto combines high quality education focused on individual vocations and talents as well as market needs with the claim to being the greatest birthplace of science in Portugal. It is committed to converting into social assets the talent and innovation from its 14 faculties, one business school and over 50 research centres. The U.Porto has the richest academic community in Portugal and brings together the country’s highest ranked students, a highly qualified scientific and teaching staff and a growing number of international students, teachers and researchers. Its fully equipped campus embedded within the city guarantees an optimal academic, scientific, and also social and cultural experience.

Being open to the community and business is the main trademark of the U.Porto. The University is itself an important driving force for economic, social, cultural and scientific development in Northern Portugal and in the country as a whole. The U.Porto creates leaders, promotes innovators and encourages entrepreneurs. In short, it trains people who can make a difference in their communities.

This is the attitude we are projecting to the world. Currently, the U.Porto is the most international of Portugal’s universities thanks to its active cooperation with hundreds of higher education institutions worldwide. Our ambition now is to establish the U.Porto as one of the top 100 universities in the world by 2020.

 
 
 

Welcome from the Rector

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The University of Porto and I are delighted to welcome the national teams of the 7th World University Floorball Championship 2016.

It is very gratifying for the University of Porto to host the 7th World University Floorball Championship 2016. This spectacular sport is characterized by the technical skills of the players, the strong competition between the teams, the unpredictability of the results and the enthusiasm of the audience. Besides, the World University Floorball Championship fosters a healthy social spirit among young people of different nationalities. Therefore, it fulfils one of the most important virtues of sports: to bring together citizens from different parts of the world.

We are doing everything within our reach to make sure that all athletes, managers, team attendants and other members of each team have a pleasant stay in Porto. I’m sure the University of Porto will honour the hospitality tradition of our city, which is known for the warm way it receives its visitors.

Porto is also full of surprises. In our historic city, visitors can find traces of the roman period; the World Heritage riverfront medieval district; many works of art from the Romantic and Baroque styles; neo-classical and neo-gothic buildings; some of the finest contemporary architecture; and the monumental bridges linking the margins of the Douro River.

Regarding the University of Porto, it was formally established on the 22nd of March 1911, but indeed its origins date back to the 18th century. Today it is the second largest Portuguese university. With more than 30,000 students, the University of Porto is made up by 14 faculties covering all major areas of knowledge. We are also the academic partner of a business school, in association with the major companies and institutions of the region.

The University of Porto has 35 certified research units and 9 major interface institutes, being responsible for more than 20% of the Portuguese scientific production indexed in the Web of Science. Several indicators of academic quality show a continuous progress along the years, and particularly a consolidated reputation nationally and at international level.

This high scientific performance has allowed the University of Porto to improve its position in international academic rankings, being the Portuguese institution with the best score in many of those rankings. Today, the University of Porto is catching up with the top 100 European universities.

This being said, I would like to invite all participants at the World University Floorball Championship to enjoy the architectural heritage and the cultural and human wealth that our city and University have to offer.

I wish everyone a pleasant stay.

Sebastião Feyo de Azevedo, Rector