Polytechnic University of Viana do Castelo

UNIPVC is a “European University” Since July 2024, UNIPVC has been a member of the SUNRISE Alliance (Smaller Universities Network for Regional Innovation and Sustainable Evolution), one of the European University Alliances funded by the European Commission under the 2024 Erasmus+ European Universities Initiative.

WE ARE MEMBERS OF SUNRISE ALLIANCE! SUNRISE: Empowering Regions. Inspiring Europe

We are proud to announce that the SUNRISE Alliance has been selected for funding by the European Commission under the 2024 Erasmus+ European Universities Initiative. Today, SUNRISE is part of a growing community of 73 European University Alliances working together to shape the future of higher education in Europe.

14 56 SELECTED ALLIANCES in 2024 Call

TOTAL APPLICATIONS

73

EUROPEAN UNIVERSITIES ALLIANCES 2026

SUNRISE is an alliance: • of nine smaller-sized European universities • with a STEAM focus (STEM + Arts) • located in regional / non-metropolitan areas

60,000+

47+

STUDENTS

ASSOCIATED PARTNERS

7,000+ ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL STAFF

7 REGIONAL CLUSTERS ACTIVATED

Discover more:

SUNRISE: Strategic Goals Strengthening Regional Innovation Ecosystems Enhancing Education and Talent Development Advancing Collaborative Research Driving Sustainable Regional Transformation Strengthening the European Dimension

THE SUNRISE NETWORK INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING PARTNER UNIVERSITIES:

GERMANY ITALY

TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITÄT ILMENAU

FREE UNIVERSITY OF BOZEN-BOLZANO

POLAND

UNIVERSITY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT IN RZESZOW

FRANCE

UNIVERSITÉ DE TECHNOLOGIE DE COMPIÈGNE

CYPRUS

EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY CYPRUS

SWEDEN

MÄLARDALEN UNIVERSITY

ITALY

UNIVERSITÀ POLITECNICA DELLE MARCHE

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA PORTUGAL

“DZEMAL BIJEDIC” UNIVERSITY OF MOSTAR

POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF VIANA DO CASTELO

MDU

CU TUIL UTC

UITM UNIBZ

ZPNU UNMO

PUVC

UNIVPM

EUC

SUNRISE P t University

WELCOME TO THE

Polytechnic University of Viana do Castelo Founded in 1980, the Polytechnic University of Viana do Castelo (UNIPVC) is located in Alto Minho, in north-western Portugal, a region where human occupation and activities are developed in a tradition of valorisation of natural resources. In this territory, where the sea and the river coexist side by side, it is still possible to find the only Portuguese protected area classified as a National Park, Peneda-Gerês.

It is in this context that the UNIPVC pursues the objective of providing quality human, cultural, scientific, technical and professional training, developing research appropriate to the pursuit of its mission and cooperating with the regional community, particularly in its productive and business fabric, in a perspective of permanent dialogue and mutual appreciation.

Like many other higher education institutions, UNIPVC is experiencing a period of profound change, shaped by economic, political, social, environmental and technological dynamics at both national and global levels. We are and will be prepared to reflect on our role and strategic positioning within the increasingly complex and demanding community we serve.

“Based on principles of innovation and an increasingly global vision of higher education, on the institutional capacity to anticipate trends and consequences, through the development of future-oriented actions, UNIPVC intends to assert itself among its peers as a reference higher education institution, capable of valuing the knowledge it generates and globalising its brand.”

With more than:

6474 students

+

682

employees

we want to build an institution "without walls", open and committed to society, inserted in a wide network of local, national and international partnerships, without compromising its mission and principles. A Polytechnic University able to offer a unique combination of teaching/learning, research, innovation, cultural mission, knowledge transfer to support an open, pluralistic and democratic society.

Carlos Rodrigues | Rector

10

municipalities

2.219km2

total area

ALTO MINHO

245k

inhabitants

23k

companies

A unique territory with plenty of opportunities Alto Minho, in the Norte region of Portugal, borders Spain to the north and east, the district of Braga to the south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. It comprises ten municipalities: Arcos de Valdevez, Caminha, Melgaço, Monção, Paredes de Coura, Ponte da Barca, Ponte de Lima, Valença, Viana do Castelo and Vila Nova de Cerveira.

Situated on the western coast of Europe, Alto Minho benefits from an excellent geostrategic position for entrepreneurial activity, between Europe, America and Africa.

With a total area of 2,219 km2, 245,000 inhabitants and more than 23.000 companies, Alto Minho has a local market of more than 3 million people, less than 60 minutes away, covering: • The Porto Metropolitan Area, south; • The Braga/Guimarães urban axis, east; • The Vigo Metropolitan Area (Galicia, Spain), north.

Alto Minho also has a wide, qualified and competitive offer of business parks, where the factors innovation, quality and environmental qualification are well represented and incubators of technology-based activities and creative industries, which are support centres for the creation or development of small businesses or micro-enterprises, supporting them in the early stages of their lives.

The natural environment is one of Alto Minho's greatest assets: from maritime and river landscapes to lush inland valleys, the region boasts a rare ecological harmony. Peneda-Gerês National Park, together with Galicia's Xurés Park, forms a cross-border UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve spanning over 70,000 hectares.

Rich in history and tradition, the urban centres of its municipalities combine ancient heritage with modern vibrancy, attracting visitors year-round. Alto Minho also benefits from excellent transport links, including Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (Porto), Vigo Airport (Galicia, Spain), and the ports of Viana do Castelo, Leixões and Vigo.

VISION

One vision UNIPVC is a public higher education institution committed to the development of people and society through the creation and dissemination of knowledge, science, technology and culture. It promotes lifelong learning by integrating education, research and innovation, while fostering sustainability, digital transformation, cooperation and social responsibility.

Students, academic staff, researchers and professional staff are at the heart of the University's mission. UNIPVC promotes critical thinking, employability and entrepreneurship, while strengthening its links with businesses, public institutions and society. Through a strong commitment to regional development, internationalisation and knowledge transfer, UNIPVC contributes to a smarter, more sustainable and more inclusive future.

Strengthen the dissemination of the scientific knowledge created to the community and the general public.

Strengthen participation in European RDI&T networks.

Integrate an European University.

OVERALL STRATEGIC GOAL Consolidate existing Research Units and prepare others for evaluation.

Implement the Distance Learning Unit UEaD.

Achieved Ongoing

Create two associations in a model of Technology and Innovation Centres (Sea Economy and Agri-Food).

UNIPVC

Key figures

6 SCHOOLS

3 OWN UI’S 6474

TRAINING OFFER

1266 GRADUATES

2025/26

STUDENTS

21 CT eSP (Higher Professional Technical Courses) 28 UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES 25 MASTERS DEGREES 6 POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMMES 31 SPECIALISED TRAINING CONTINUING EDUCATION JUNIOR AND SENIOR ACADEMY

M 48% - F 52%

96,7%

M 45% - F 55%

UNDERGRADUATE EMPLOYABILITY in 2025

227 CTeSP 775 UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES 140 MASTERS DEGREES 124 POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMMES

1048 CTeSP 3586 UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES 920 MASTER’S DEGREE STUDENTS 97 POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS 754 MICROCREDENTIAL TRAINING STUDENTS 45 SENIOR ACADEMY STUDENTS 24 FOUNDATION YEAR STUDENTS

Courses opening in 2025/26

7 UI’S IN CONSORTIUM

2024/25

CERTIFICATION/RECOGNITION SIGQ certified by A3ES ISO 9001 - Quality Management NP 4469 - Social Responsibility NP 4552 - Balance between professional, family and personal life (PFP) FISU - Healthy Campus (International University Sports Federation)

682

STAFF

ND:220

M 70 - F 150

D:462

220 TEACHERS DOCTORATES

I:5

M 242 - F 220 M 1 - F 4

M 104 - F 116

(205 FT; 312,25 FTE)

(173 FT; 194,65 FTE)

2025

59 FUNDED PROJECTS 37 NATIONAL 22 INTERNATIONAL

CISAS - 38 PROMETHEUS - 31 ADIT-LAB – 19

32.859.879,70€

R&D UNITS AND INTEGRATED MEMBERS

IPVC SPECIALISED SERVICES

FELLOWS - 44 M 30 - F 14 RESEARCHERS - 5 M1-F4

56.855,28€ UI GREENMETRIC WORLD UNIVERSITY RANKINGS ON SUSTAINABILITY 2025

3º

156º

PORTUGAL

WORLDWIDE

47,6% (PhD - Teachers) 63,3% (PhD FTE - Teachers FTE) 84,4% (PhD FTE - Teachers FT) 1/23 (PhD FTE - 1 st and 2nd Cycle student) 1/26 (PhD FT - 1st and 2nd Cycle student)

6

SPRINT - 14 UNIAG - 8 CIMO - 2 CISA:E - 18 CITUR - 6 CIAUD - 3 inED - 9

2024/25

BIRA 76

ECO-SCHOOLS

IPVC

2024/25

174 INCOMING STUDENTS 142 OUTGOING STUDENTS 160 INCOMING STAFF MEMBERS 93 OUTGOING STAFF MEMBERS 224 INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS 714 FOREIGN STUDENTS 54 NATIONALITIES

ACADEMIC BUS 30 LOCATIONS 244 USERS WITH MONTHLY PASS 2024/25

2025

SPORTS CENTER 661 AVERAGE MONTHLY ENTRIES 70 AVERAGE MONTHLY REGISTRATIONS 2024/25

555

ACCOMMODATED STUDENTS 319 IN OWN HOMES 236 IN FILED HOMES 2024/25

373 PSYCHOLOGY 403 NURSING 57 NUTRITION 56 SPORTS MEDICAL EXAMS

1.622

STUDENTS SUPPORTED WITH A SCHOLARSHIP 2024/25 M 612 - F 1010

124.639 MEALS SERVED 2024/25

24

STUDENTS WITH SOCIAL SUPPORT SCHOLARSHIP 2024/25 M 5 - F 19

CANTEEN

9 Made by: GAQ-IPVC Date: 04.08.2026

CONSULTATIONS AT THE HEALTH OFFICE

OUR SCHOOLS

6 Schools

School of Education VIANA DO CASTELO

Agrarian School PONTE DE LIMA

School of Technology and Management VIANA DO CASTELO

20 CTeSP Higher Professional Technical Courses

27 Bachelor’s Degrees

OUR SCHOOLS

6 Schools

School of Business Sciences VALENÇA

School of Health VIANA DO CASTELO

School of Sport and Leisure MELGAÇO

23 Master Degrees

6 Postgraduate Degrees

ORIENTED RESEARCH FOR BUSINESSES AND SOCIETY

Scientific areas

MANAGEMENT

SPORT

HEALTH

ARTS AND DESIGN

GASTRONOMY INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES ENGINEERING

ORIENTED RESEARCH FOR BUSINESSES AND SOCIETY

Scientific areas

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES

EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

TOURISM

BIOTECHNOLOGY

MARKETING

ADMINISTRATION AND BUSINESS HUMANITIES

ORIENTED RESEARCH FOR BUSINESSES AND SOCIETY

Research units (UI) UNIPVC has its UI and integrates other UI in a consortium or with UNIPVC associates: UNIPVC UI accredited by Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT):

Center for Research and Development in AgriFood Systems and Sustainability

Research Lines: – Food products authenticity and certification – Products and processes development towards health, well-being, and safety – By-products as potentially functional ingredients – Endogenous resources and traditional food products – Sustainable agricultural productivity – Water-use efficiency, soil and plant protection, and agrobiodiversity.

Research Unit for Materials, Energy and Environment for Sustainability

Research Lines – Sustainable technologies for energy production and storage – Recycling and reuse of materials and/or industrial waste – Energy-efficient systems – Sustainable design, construction, and restoration – (Eco)technologies for water and soil treatment – Natural resource management and assessment of ecosystem services

ORIENTED RESEARCH FOR BUSINESSES AND SOCIETY

Research units (UI)

Research Lines: – Conduct and promote applied research in the design, development, and evaluation of digital services; - Serve as a platform for exchanging knowledge on digital transformation among companies, administration, academics, and society in general; - Assist organizations in developing their capabilities through training and consulting services.

These UNIPVC UI have their internal regulations, prepared by the respective unit and approved by the Institute's President.

Associated Research Units: SPRINT Sport Physical Activity and Health Research & Innovation Center

CIMO Mountain Research Center

UNIAG Applied Management Research Unit

UICISA:E Health Sciences Research Unit: Nursing

ORIENTED RESEARCH FOR BUSINESSES AND SOCIETY

Research units (UI) CITUR Centre for Tourism Research, Development and Innovation

CIAUD Research Center for Architecture, Urbanism and Design

InED Center for Research and Innovation in Education

Scientific publications (SCOPUS) Developed by UNIPVC for the SUNRISE Alliance, this platform provides a comprehensive analysis of the scientific production of partner universities based on Scopus-indexed publications. Through advanced analytics, it supports the identification of research strengths, collaboration opportunities, RIS3 alignment and the development of future European research consortia.

An innovative research intelligence tool supporting evidence-based decision-making across the SUNRISE Alliance.

Documents by subject area

ORIENTED RESEARCH FOR BUSINESSES AND SOCIETY

NUMBER

COORDINATOR

PARTNER

UNIPVC BUDGET

PROJECTS

NATIONAL

75

38

37

46.589.647,95€

INTERNATIONAL

35

6

29

5.687.545,94€

PROGRAMME

Projects in Execution

ERASMUS +

17

5

12

3.325.059,99€

HORIZON EUROPE

5

5

788.486,30€

OTHER

13

1

12

1.573.999,65

110

44

66

52.207.193,89€ Data available on 3 august 2026

AFFILIATES

CiTiN Industrial Technological Interface Center CiTin is a scientific, technological, and technical assistance association, non-profit and of private nature. It aims to develop Applied R&D, Technology Transfer and Advanced Training Activities, operating as a driving force for innovation in the industrial ecosystem, at a regional, national and international level.

RESEARCH AREAS: Advanced Production Systems – Automation and Mechatronics – Collaborative Robotics – Human-Machine Interaction – Flexible Manufacturing Systems Cyber-Physical Systems – Industrial Informatics – Artificial Intelligence – Big Data and IoT – Embedded Systems Mobility and Environment – Automotive components production – Development of new materials – Circular Economy – Eco-Innovation

AFFILIATES

DATA COLAB Collaborative Lab for Data Driven Services Data CoLAB's vision is to develop a cross-sectoral ecosystem with diverse stakeholders that will use data to improve the way we produce, consume, and live. To achieve this vision, Data CoLAB works across the entire data value chain in order to provide services to citizens, businesses, and the public sector, actively contributing to its digital transformation.

Activity Clusters: – Communities, Energy, and Oceans – Health and Pharmaceutical – Industry and Maintenance – Agriculture, Forestry and Biodiversity

In.Cubo Innovative Business Initiatives Incubator In.Cubo - Innovative Business Initiatives Incubator was created by ACIBTM - Association for the Minho Technology-Based Incubation Centre. It is a strategic bet on entrepreneurship as a key area for regional development.

In.Cubo's purpose is the creation of conditions for the development of Business Plans of companies and for the hosting of R&D projects, namely technology-based companies that foster and propagate innovation within the economic base installed in its territorial area.

AFFILIATES

SUSTEMARE Center for Technology and Innovation in Ocean Energy and Technologies SUSTEMARE – the Center for Technology and Innovation in Ocean Energy and Technologies – was founded with a clear mission: to promote a sustainable transition in ocean exploration, integrating science, technology, and economics.

A technological innovation center was established in Viana do Castelo, promising to position Alto Minho and Portugal on the international blue energy map. Coordinating applied research, business support, and a collaborative model between academia, the public sector, and industry, SUSTEMARE emerges as a strategic infrastructure to respond to the global challenges of the ocean economy and transform the region through technology.

The new center connects with the regional and national ecosystem, promoting R&D projects, providing specialized services, technical testing, training, and technology transfer.

Activity Clusters: – Blue Energy – Development and structural monitoring of offshore infrastructure, hydrogen production, and green ammonia.

Ocean Technologies – Study of materials in the marine environment, inspection, maintenance, and logistics systems.

Complementary Services – Environmental monitoring, marine biotechnology, and aquaculture.

CENTRO TECNOLÓGICO DE INOVAÇÃO EM ENERGIAS E TECNOLOGIAS OCEÂNICAS

AFFILIATES

3AR Center for the Valorization and ransfer of Agri-Food Technology 3AR brings together science, technology, businesses, local authorities, and the region to generate innovation, promote sustainability, and enhance the resources of Alto Minho.

There are the pillars of 3AR, which will invest heavily in applied research and technology transfer: Gastronomy Endogenous resources, with a special emphasis on wine Territory and sustainability

✅ ✅ ✅

The objective is clear: to transform knowledge into real development, with a direct impact on the agrifood sector and the region.

Activity Clusters: – Food and Gastronomy, through GastroLAB, an innovation and entrepreneurship laboratory for the agri-food sector; – Endogenous Resources, focusing on the promotion of indigenous breeds and varieties and the conservation of plant and animal biodiversity; – Territory and Sustainability, strengthening the environmental quality and natural capital of Alto Minho, with a focus on the Peneda-Gerês National Park.

A GLOBAL INSTITUTION

Partner countries

+350 partners

A GLOBAL INSTITUTION

Partner countries

+60 countries

A GLOBAL INSTITUTION

Areas of Cooperation

AMERICA

- Tourism - Agri-Food - Logistics - Civil and Environmental Engineering - Social Gerontology - Mechanical Engineering - Accounting and Taxation - Business Organisation and Management

AFRICA

- Tourism - Agri-Food - Teachers Education - Citizenship and Development - Sports and Leisure - Logistics - Business Organisation and Management

ASIA

- Information and Communication Technologies - Tourism - Sports and Leisure

A GLOBAL INSTITUTION

Rankings

8,564 th worldwide Higher 29 th Portuguese Education Institutions Polytechnic 10 th Portuguese Institutes

7,675 points 156 th worldwide 3 rd nationally

13

Scan the QR to see all the rankings

th

nationally

WHERE ARE WE

ALTO MINHO

WHERE ARE WE

ALTO MINHO

UNIPVC is a “European University” Since July 2024, UNIPVC has been a member of the SUNRISE Alliance (Smaller Universities Network for Regional Innovation and Sustainable Evolution), one of the European University Alliances funded by the European Commission under the 2024 Erasmus+ European Universities Initiative.

IPVC GCI-2026

Rua Escola Industrial e Comercial de Nun’Álvares, 34 4900-347 Viana do Castelo p. (+351) 258 809 610 e. internacional@ipvc.pt