Universidade de Évora

The University of Évora was founded in 1559 and for two centuries it distinguished itself for its role in the education of the elites and the missionaries of the Kingdom. Restored as a public University in 1973, it has aimed at meeting the new requirements of society. It is specially oriented toward the education of human resources who want to achieve a higher position by merit and good service to the community. The University of Évora has established itself through the high quality of its teaching, associated with perennial values such as mutual respect, desire for knowledge, intellectual honesty and freedom of thought.
We are currently a modern University, with quality Research Centres, evaluated by international panels of the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), with highly qualified teachers, integrating international networks and mobility programs that provide its students and professors with opportunities to contact other countries. We have a strong relationship with businesses and industries, always trying that the produced knowledge does not become confined to our historical walls. The knowledge of the various areas of our activity should be a tool for economic and social development. In a permanent process of transferring knowledge and technology, our students are able to establish profitable relations with the productive fabric and with culture, preparing them for the demanding challenges of a society in an accelerated process of structural transformation.
In the academic year 2010/2011 36 1st cycle degrees, 85 2nd cycle master’s courses, 3 of which Erasmus Mundus, and 33 doctoral programs will be offered in almost all areas of knowledge, all in compliance with the Bologna Process and registered in the Direcção-Geral do Ensino Superior. We credit the education received in the 4th and 5th years of the pre-Bologna courses for the purpose of continuing studies in master’s degrees. The diversified offer of lifelong education courses, credited for the pursuit of other degrees of studies, guarantees the updating of knowledge in a world in constant change. The University is recognized internationally, being regularly evaluated by the European University Association (EUA). It has also been accepted as a member of the Magna Charta Universitatum.

 

Cidade de Évora

Évora, capital of Alto Alentejo, city of an outstanding beauty, embraced by its fortress walls, filled with historic memories in each street, each home, each inhabitant… Its squares and monuments tell us national history, religion and culture episodes and its townsfolk are proud of both past and present times.
The natural beauty of this region combines with the monumental richness of this town-museum that nowadays is also a modern and touristy city, classified by UNESCO, since 1986, World Heritage. Inhabited since the Neolithic period, the archaeological landscape that surrounds the city presents important monuments, such as the Cromeleque dos Almendres (cromlech) and the Anta Grande do Zambujeiro (dolmen). Many were the ancient people that have been here, but the Romans were those who transformed Evora into an imperial town. They called it Ebora, named after Julio Cesar as Liberalitas Julia, and left several signs of their passage, from which the roman temple, known improperly as "Templo de Diana", stands out.
In 715 AD, the city was conquered by the Arabs but there are only a few archaeological evidences of that time. In 1165, Giraldo Sem Pavor (Fearless Giraldo), on a sudden incursion, took the city from the Moor, and that event was printed on the city coat-of-arms. The importance of Evora is undeniable along the centuries: during the Avis Dynasty (1385-1580) the city became the chosen place of the court, which settled here frequently, to the detriment of Lisbon or Coimbra. Cardinal King D. Henrique founded, in 1551, the Colégio do Espírito Santo (Holly Spirit College), which became the Evora University in 1559, when it received Rome's approval.
In 1759 it was closed by order of Marquês de Pombal, on the Jesuits expulsion, reopening again in 1973. As a reaction to the Filipes' dynasty domination, Evora became a battles' stage for the national independence. But after the throne was reclaimed, the court turned away from the city. Since the XX century, one can notice a rousing will to recover from the wasted time, restore the monuments and embellish the city. The historic centre of Évora, as a monumental ensemble of great historic and cultural value, was classified by UNESCO, in 1986, World Heritage.

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