“Your journey begins now and your potential is limitless” – these were the words of Teresa Peña, president of the Pedagogical Council, representing Rogério Colaço, the president of Técnico. “I am optimistic about the future because it will be built, influenced and led by you”, she said. This sentiment was shared by the rector of Universidade de Lisboa, Luís Ferreira, during his speech at the end of the ceremony. “I expect a fairer, more humane, more fraternal and happier world”, he said.

One by one, and throughout the event, the students were called up to receive their graduation certificates, under a shower of applause in honour of the effort and dedication that had brought them to this point. The ceremony was also marked by the usual speeches of alumni, recent doctoral and master’s graduates, and a performance by Tuna Feminina do Instituto Superior Técnico (TFIST).

A festive day highlighted by “a constant curiosity” and human beings “ready to transform the world together”

Francisco Santos took the floor on behalf of the recent Master’s graduates. He is an Olympic swimmer and represented Portugal in Tokyo in 2020, so balancing his studies (master’s programme in Electrical and Computer Engineering) with sport was a demanding task. “These challenges have taught me resilience, to get up at the next fall and persist”, he explained. He also emphasised that the help of his classmates was essential to his academic success, stressing that “mutual help is the foundation of our lives”. “Let us take from here not only academic knowledge but also an awareness of the importance of supporting each other”, he said. He also left a final appeal: “that we all leave here not only as masters and doctors but as richer human beings, ready to transform the world together”.

Photo gallery.