The president of the Association of Portuguese-Language Universities (AULP) stated today in Macau that Lusophone higher education institutions face “a time of profound transformation” marked by artificial intelligence and digitalization.
Artificial intelligence is changing how we produce, share, and use knowledge, and digital transformation redefines teaching, learning, and research processes, said Astrigilda Silveira at the opening of the 35th AULP Meeting organized in the territory.
This meeting gathers 36 rectors and presidents of higher education institutions from Portuguese-speaking countries (PLP) between today and Wednesday, and it coincides with the IV Forum of Rectors of China, Macau, and Portuguese-speaking Countries.
Regarding another matter, Silveira also warned that climate change particularly challenges small island states, coastal regions, and the most vulnerable communities, emphasizing that universities must position themselves as leaders and promoters of change.
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“No university, no matter how strong, will be able to respond alone to major global challenges, as we need collaborative science, research networks, and the sharing of infrastructures, knowledge, and talents,” stressed the rector of the University of Cape Verde.
The head of the association highlighted that mobility programs, international partnerships, and collaborative research projects have already demonstrated the added value of the association, but she warned that the coming years demand more ambition.
Among the priorities, she pointed out the strengthening of scientific collaboration among members, the internationalization of scientific production in the Portuguese language, the acceleration of digital transformation and the energy transition, as well as creating more opportunities for students and researchers.
“Our language is a common heritage, but it is also a strategic asset, an instrument of approximation, and a platform for building global solutions from diverse realities,” she stated, arguing that Portuguese must continue to assert itself as a language of science, innovation, and knowledge.
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She appealed for the spirit of cooperation that characterizes Macau to inspire the work and decisions of the Lusophone academic community, hoping that new ideas, new projects, new partnerships, and a renewed ambition for the 40 years of the association emerge from here.
The event was also attended by the Minister of Education, Science, and Innovation of Portugal, Fernando Alexandre, who revealed that the Portuguese AI language model Amália will be presented this month.
This year, the Ministry of State Reform classified the AI model as strategic for Portugal, announcing that it would be oriented toward developing new use cases, including within the educational system, to support students and teachers with tools adapted to the Portuguese context.
