Universidade Católica Portuguesa is launching UCP4SUCCESS, with the aim of promoting student success and tackling university abandonment.
This launch leverages UCP initiatives such as "Católica In! Inovar para Incluir‘ (Innovate to Include), implemented at the Porto and Braga campi, and "Proteus", implemented at the Lisbon headquarters.
Funded by the Directorate-General for Higher Education and the Recovery and Resilience Plan, UCP4SUCCESS follows a collaborative model, bringing together professors and researchers from the four Católica campi: Lisbon, Porto, Braga and Viseu.
With a particular focus on students enrolling for the first time in higher education, but designed for the entire academic community, this project encompasses a set of six initiatives. These include the creation of an intelligent system to identify the risk of students dropping out of school and the development of an interactive portal with information and support resources for students and teachers.
It also aims to encourage more experienced students to mentor younger colleagues, both socially and academically, through Peer Mentoring, as well as promoting Tutoring by Professors, offering personalised guidance.
Recognising the difficulties that students face in the transition to higher education, the project plans to reward effort and progress in the first year of a degree through the UCP4SUCCESS Scholarships. The sixth and final initiative is linked to the promotion of cultural activities, which also strengthens integration and bonding between students.
According to Armanda Gonçalves, professor at the Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences, UCP4SUCCESS ‘represents an opportunity to strengthen and expand existing initiatives and to develop new strategies and resources, ensuring that each student receives the support they need to fulfil their potential.’
As a member of the coordination team, she reiterates: ‘we are motivated to continue building an inclusive and supportive teaching and learning environment, where every challenge is an opportunity for growth and success’.
On 25 November, UCP4SUCCESS will present its first webinar on Transition and Adaptation to Higher Education, open to all students at Universidade Católica.
Phase zero of this project, which took place in May this year, was based on a survey of the students and teaching staff needs. The next stages of the project include the presentation of the regulations and application processes for the UCP4SUCCESS Scholarships, the training of Mentors and the launch of cultural activities on the four campi.