University of Aveiro is a young university, founded in 1973, with over 15000 full-time students (graduate and postgraduate). The University has a strong research profile, a unique model of governance (16 Departments, 4 Polytechnic Schools and various training centres), acting as a regional network for education and training promoting strong links with the surrounding community and was a pioneer in launching degrees in new subject areas. UA participates in over 600 research projects at the current time and runs several joint doctoral programmes with other Portuguese Universities as well as international master and doctoral programmes. It has also signed an agreement as one of the Portuguese institutions to participate in the programme of collaboration between Portugal and Carnegie Mellon University for the development of postgraduate programmes and research in the field of ICT (Information and Communication Technologies). At the same time, the development of a Creative Science Park off campus is an example of the way in which the university has encouraged both innovation and commercialization linked to research. It has also provided resources for its research policy through funding and the provision of high quality researchers. Additionally, UA is a member of the ECIU University Alliance, one of the first 17 EU University Alliances to be funded by the European Commission in the Pilot Project in 2019, which is focused on challenge-based learning and innovation around SGD11.

Challenge-Based research, learning and innovation with particular reference to SGD11

• Water
• Social Inclusion
• Safety
• Reconstruction
• Planning and Design
• Mobility
• Information and Monitoring
• Governance
• Environment
• Energy
• Economy
• Climate Change
• Capacity Development

• Informal Urbanism
• Climate Change
• Urban Regeneration
• Safer Cities
• Urban Accessibility
• Urban Governance