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Group appointed to examine legal base of Portuguese universities

“Participatory and in-depth” evaluation aims to strengthen higher education and R&D institutions

The Portuguese government has appointed an independent committee to examine the legal system that underpins universities in the country.

Portuguese science minister Elvira Fortunato and higher education secretary Pedro Nuno Teixeira said the country’s Legal Regime of Higher Education Institutions needs to be evaluated to strengthen universities and R&D institutions.

Announcing the move on 16 January, Fortunato and Teixeira said the committee will carry out a “participatory and in-depth reflection on the legal and organisational framework of higher education”. It will also look at ways to promote better communication both within universities and with the local communities in which institutions are based.

The committee’s conclusions, which are set to be published in December, will become subject to a process of public discussion with the academic community, students, trade unions and civil society representatives, the government said.

Alberto Amaral, former chairman of the Portuguese Higher Education Evaluation and Accreditation Agency, will chair the committee.