"This is what happened in Viseu when in 1993 the campus was chosen for Alto do Gaio, in the parish of Lordosa in the empty north of the municipality," he explains.
Driven by the commitment to provide "higher education that is closer to those who are further away", it is therefore not surprising that the Piaget group is reaching out to the world with open arms. Currently present in three continents and six countries - Portugal. Brazil. Angola, Cape Verde. Guinea and Mozambique - internationalization, particularly in the Portuguese-speaking world', is part of the 'matrix' of this educational cooperative, which is preparing to open a new center in the city of Lubango, in Angola, says Paulo Alves. Likewise, in Viseu, as in other Instituto Piaget campuses in Portugal (Almada, Macedo de Cavaleros, Vila Nova de Gaia and Silves), the institution also has "a significant community of international students, also helped by the existence of a student residence", he adds.
Claiming to promote 'a differentiated training offer that is unique in the region', as is the case, for example. With the training of physiotherapists and psychologists, the Piaget Institute is also proud of its contribution to the affirmation and development of the Viseu region, both inside and outside its doors 'We are the largest community in the north of the municipality of Viseu, contributing to territorial cohesion, bridging the gap between various municipalities, providing higher education opportunities for hundreds of students, for future professional practice of the highest quality, creating job opportunities and attracting people to the area, reiterates Paulo Alves.
With the support of MEO Empresas, 'a highly esteemed partner due to its size and value', the Piaget group also makes a point of keeping on the path of technological innovation, notes Pauto Alves, who draws attention to the investment made in 'transforming our learning support infrastructures, adjusting them to the construction of a smart university campus', as well as in the digital transition of services and the dematerialization of processes. At the same time, he continues, the institution has been growing its range of training courses using remote teaching' and does not rule out the possibility of soon 'moving towards graduate training courses in technology and telecommunications'.
According to the official, the Instituto Piaget project, at national level, is going through 'a phase of clear consolidation, restructuring and internal expansion' 'with a particular focus on the recreation and creation of new training offers, as well as the internal restructuring of the HEIs and the creation of new organic units, such as, for example, the recently created Instituto Politécnico Jean Piaget do Norte, Instituto Politécnico Jean Piaget do Sul and Escola Superior de Saúde
Jean Piaget School of Health in Almada," he says.
With the current academic year coming to an end in 2023-2024, the Piagel Institute expects to 'continue the growth trajectory we have had in recent years, both in terms of the total number of students and the volume of training on offer', stresses the president of the Viseu University Campus.