José Luís Trindade, currently a second-year student in the Master's in Electrical and Computer Engineering (MEEC), won the Cisco Merit Award in Network Architecture and Management, for the 2022/23 academic year.

During high school, José shared an interest in subjects related to physics and computer science. The concepts related to electricity, present in the Physics and Chemistry subject, and computers, sparked his interest in pursuing studies in this area. After some research and consideration, he decided to apply for the Bachelor's degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Instituto Superior Técnico.

"I have always been interested in computers. (...) When I was looking at the courses, this one seemed to be the most comprehensive."

José Luís Trindade, MEEC student

The course and school were his first choice when applying to higher education. He chose Técnico because it is known for its good reputation, and he was sure the material would be well taught. Although he admits that he does not like to step out of his comfort zone, the student acknowledges that joining this institution meant facing a new challenge, seeing this as an opportunity to properly prepare for the future, including his professional life.

His academic performance was highlighted by the award from Cisco, having achieved a final grade of 18. The classification was based on evaluations carried out throughout the course, distinguishing the best student in it. José believes that his effort and individual study were the main factors that contributed to this recognition.

During the award ceremony, José and Duarte Pardal (the winner of the 2023/24 edition) had the opportunity to exchange contacts with representatives from Cisco, something he considers beneficial for the future, not excluding the possibility of an internship at the company. The students were also invited to visit Cisco's facilities.

"The award is good not only because of the monetary component but also because it promotes contact with a well-known company in the field."

José Luís Trindade, MEEC student

Throughout this course, the students worked on a group project that resulted in a mechanism similar to the automatic menus presented when a user contacts a service and presses numbers according to the type of service desired (e.g., press 1 for service in Portuguese or 2 for another language). They also studied the functioning of the multicast system of TV boxes, through which operators allow multiple users to access TV channels simultaneously without overloading the telecommunications network. The students also learned how a router works, understanding how messages are processed in it.

"It addressed topics that are very relevant in today's world, and from the employer's point of view, it will be useful to have people with knowledge in this area."

José Luís Trindade, MEEC student

After completing this course, the student included Networks and Computers among the available options for his Master's degree, feeling motivated to continue his search for knowledge in the area, maintaining an interest in learning about the functioning of routers.

Throughout the interview, José also highlighted the teachers' dedication to preparing lessons and the dynamism with which different subjects are taught. Sharing their daily life and research encouraged him, throughout his academic journey, to put in his best effort in learning.

When asked about the future, José states that, although the path is still open, he is interested in the development of computer components and in optimizing their functioning. However, regardless of his choice, he feels that the experience at Técnico prepares students for the job market, easing the transition between academic life and the beginning of professional activity. In this regard, he highlights the adaptability that students acquire, overcoming obstacles even when facing tight deadlines or going through a complex phase in their lives. He emphasizes that being a student at Técnico means "dedication," always striving to cultivate knowledge and benefiting from the institution's high-quality teaching.

"[A piece of advice for future students:] Never forget the part of doing things to learn, not just to pass the courses."

José Luís Trindade, MEEC student