Católica in Porto Campus brings alumni together for another edition of Alumni Fest
A moment to reconnect, return to their alma mater and reunite with former classmates and professors. This was the spirit of the 5th edition of Alumni Fest, the annual gathering of alumni from Universidade Católica in Porto, celebrating the enduring bond between the University and its graduates. The event brought together around 325 alumni from the University's different faculties.
Held on 4 July, the event provided a warm and welcoming atmosphere where participants shared personal and professional experiences, reinforcing the sense of belonging that continues to unite generations of alumni.
According to Isabel Braga da Cruz, Pro-Rector of Universidade Católica Portuguesa, "Alumni Fest is much more than a gathering of former students; it is the celebration of a community that remains vibrant, dynamic and committed to the values shared during their time at Universidade Católica. It is always inspiring to see different generations of alumni return to their University to reconnect with classmates, share their journeys and renew bonds that last far beyond their academic years. These moments remind us that Católica is a community for life, where knowledge, friendship and a shared sense of responsibility towards society continue to bring us together and strengthen our common identity."
For many participants, Alumni Fest is, above all, an opportunity to return to a place that remains part of who they are. "There are places that never stop feeling like home. At Alumni Fest at Católica in Porto, reunions turned into hugs, memories returned through conversations, and the joy of seeing old friends brought back the true spirit of the University," shared Clara Braga, alumna of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Nursing.
The spirit of reunion was echoed by alumni from across the University's faculties. "We returned to the place where so many stories began. Between smiles, hugs and shared memories, we realised that the true legacy of the University is its people," said José Vasco Carvalho, alumnus of the School of Arts. Maria Pintado, alumna of the Faculty of Education and Psychology, summed up the event in a few words: "Reunions, conversations and new memories. That's what makes Alumni Fest so special!"
During the event, alumni were also invited to support the Alumni Fund for Students, the University's social support fund aimed at helping current students facing greater financial hardship.
The sense of community was also reflected in the testimonies of other participants. For Maria José Negócio, alumna of the Faculty of Theology, "Alumni Fest is a return to the past while looking towards the future, because building a better world begins with every small action we take today. We are UCP." Ricardo Lacerda and Rui Costa Lima, alumni of the Faculty of Biotechnology, highlighted that "Alumni Fest is the annual opportunity to reconnect with people, stories and memories that continue to be part of who we are, and to rekindle friendships that time cannot erase." They also noted that this year's edition was marked by a tribute to Raquel Moreira, whose dedication to the academic community remains alive in the memories of alumni.
The enthusiasm was also shared by Dário Freitas and José Graça, alumni of the Porto Faculty of Law: "It was a wonderful celebration, this year with even more warmth and energy! Thank you, Católica!" Tiago Teixeira, alumnus of Católica Porto Business School, added that Alumni Fest is "more than a reunion; it is a great opportunity to strengthen the network and friendships built throughout our academic journey."
Alumni Fest is jointly organised by the University, the Alumni Associations of the Faculty of Biotechnology, the Porto Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Education and Psychology, together with the alumni communities of Católica Porto Business School, the School of Arts, the Faculty of Health Sciences and Nursing, and the Faculty of Theology in Porto.