UNIVERSITY OF BEIRA INTERIOR
The University of Beira Interior (UBI), located in Covilhã, Portugal, is a dynamic institution known for its commitment to academic excellence and innovation. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Serra da Estrela mountain range, UBI combines modern facilities with a rich historical heritage, having repurposed former textile factory buildings as an integral part of its campus. This unique blend of tradition and modernity provides an inspiring environment that fosters intellectual growth, making it an ideal venue for this event.
UBI, founded in 1979, is a public higher education institution located in Covilhã. This university has established itself as agrowing hub for innovation, research and internationalization, having almost 20% of its students coming from non-national backgrounds. The University of Beira Interior (UBI) is the best Portuguese university in rankings of universities that are less than 50 years old, such as the Times Higher Education Young University Rankings. UBI has five faculties: Sciences; Engineering; Arts and Letters; Social and Human Sciences; and Health Sciences. UBI prides itself on its multicultural environment and in its strong connection between the academic body and the enrolled students.
COVILHÃ CITY
Covilhã is a city located in the interior of Portugal, carved into the hillside of Serra da Estrela. With around 35,000 inhabitants, Covilhã is also home to around 10,000 students, making it a true universitarian city. With a truly welcoming atmosphere, it is an ideal place to enjoy the traditional Portuguese academic experience. Known as the "Portuguese Manchester" – being the former capital of the textile industry in Portugal – Covilhã preserves a valuable industrial heritage, visible in the old wool factories that have been transformed into cultural centers, museums and, even more impressively, university facilities.
Today, Covilhã combines modernity with tradition, with its historic walls and buildings combined with urban art and modern infrastructure. Covilhã offers a calm and safe environment with an affordable cost of living. Another strong point of this city is its close connection with nature, being surrounded by natural areas of unique beauty that are characterized by mountains and natural rivers.