NOVA FCT Pedagogical Innovation Project receives Honorable Mention on NOVA Day

In the photo, Alexandre Paiva, project team member, receives the award.

As part of the celebrations marking the anniversary of NOVA University Lisbon, NOVA FCT was recognized for its capacity for pedagogical innovation through the awarding of an honorable mention to the project “Thermodynamics for Chemical Engineers.” This project stands out for its use of team-based learning, a methodology that fosters critical thinking and the development of social skills among students in the Chemical Engineering program.

According to Ana Rita Duarte, professor in the Department of Chemistry and coordinator of the project, the adopted strategy transformed a traditionally lecture-based class into a collaborative experience, encouraging students to study in advance and apply concepts in an academic context. Applied to the Thermodynamics course—often perceived negatively by students—this methodology stimulates curiosity and promotes learning tailored to the needs and characteristics of new generations. The professor emphasizes that “generational differences are a reality, and teaching needs flexibility to adapt to new scenarios while maintaining coherence between the curriculum and the course objectives.”

The NOVA Day ceremony also featured an intervention by Vasco Mendes, a student-athlete from NOVA FCT who has brought the University’s name to both national and international podiums. His message to all students was clear and motivational: “keep studying and keep being happy!”

The program also included the symbolic awarding of insignias to the new PhDs from various NOVA schools and institutes, celebrating the academic excellence and research journeys of these professionals who represent the scientific future of the University.

The ceremony took place on November 21 at the Rectorate of Universidade NOVA de Lisboa.