Pedagogical Innovation

IPCA is committed to improving its educational offer and promoting the development of future and advanced skills for the transformation of society. In this context, it is promoting a series of pedagogical innovation activities based on experimentation and co-creation, centred on active, interdisciplinary and innovative pedagogical approaches, based on curricular flexibility and the provision of micro-credentials. This programme is transversal to the entire educational offer of the institution, as a way of aligning and adapting all actions and programmes based on more collaborative and innovative pedagogical approaches.

Teaching Methods

Project-based learning The pedagogical model of project-based teaching and learning (PBL) began to be implemented at IPCA as part of the INCODE programme (Axis 4 – Specialisation). The pilot application of this methodology in the CTeSP – Higher Professional Technical Courses covered the Mobile Applications (AM) and Electronics, Automation and Command (EAC) courses.

Distance learning Since 2010, the IPCA School of Management has offered a distance learning Public Management course. Distance learning (e-learning) takes place via video conferencing. This system allows for flexible time management, anywhere in the country (mainland and islands) or even abroad, which is of enormous benefit to professionals, especially those currently working in public administration, allowing them to reconcile their professional activity with obtaining a degree.

Business Simulation Project The Business Simulation Project (PSE) is a curricular unit implemented at the School of Management (ESG) since 2005. It is based on a dynamic model of learning by doing, which aims to give students a practical view of their future professional activity and facilitate their integration into the world of work.

Training and Workshops

Interinstitutional Pedagogical Development Days

IPCA is one of the 17 polytechnics promoting the Interinstitutional Pedagogical Development Days (JIDP), a training programme developed entirely online and aimed at university teachers from the participating institutions.

Events and Projects

Innovation in co-creation

IPCA is part of the “Link Me Up – 1000 ideas – Support system for the co-creation of innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship” project, which brings together 13 Portuguese polytechnic institutes to create entrepreneurial ecosystems capable of responding to the challenges of today’s societies. In this context, co-creation processes and entrepreneurship training are tools for learning, innovation and connecting with the business world.

Poliempreende

Poliempreende is the largest entrepreneurship network at national level, involving all polytechnic higher education institutions, with the aim of fostering an entrepreneurial culture, promoting creativity and innovative ideas, and valuing knowledge. IPCA has participated in this competition since the 7th edition (2009). In 2021, this initiative took place within the framework of the “Link Me Up – 1000 ideas” project.

InIPCA student mentoring programme

InIPCA is IPCA’s programme that aims to promote healthy and proactive integration, while contributing to the academic success of students entering our Academy for the first time.

It is a student-to-student peer mentoring programme in which the mentor plays a fundamental role in the interpersonal development of the mentees (new students), promoting their well-being and helping them to internalise the rules and regulations of the institution more quickly.

UpSkill

The UPskill programme aims to retrain people – unemployed or underemployed – in the various areas of information and communication technologies (ICT). It is the companies operating in the national market that identify the technological areas and job vacancies according to their real talent needs.

This programme is the result of a partnership between APDC, ISCTE, IEFP and the polytechnic institutes, with IPCA as a strategic partner in the northern region. The aim of this unique national initiative is to respond to the specific needs of companies in terms of qualified talent and the urgent re-skilling of human resources in the ICT field, thus helping to strengthen their employability.

Enter the Void Festival

The main objective of the Enter The Void Festival is to create a creative, innovative and inclusive community to explore new ideas and inspire the next generation of creators, designers and artists. The aim is to share experiences, exchange ideas and inspire innovation and creativity.

The programme features award-winning speakers and artists in the creative fields of motion design, animation, graphic design, architecture, music, documentary, illustration, television and more, and is organised into talks, workshops and creative gatherings aimed at enhancing creative and artistic skills.

The festival also showcases the work of students from the TeSP courses (1st and 2nd year) in Digital Audiovisual, Design for Digital Media, Fashion Design and Illustration and Graphic Art, in the areas of digital design, illustration, photography, video, among others. This exhibition, which has been held since 2021, marks and celebrates the end of the academic year.

WELCOME IPCA – New student integration programme

The Welcome IPCA programme aims to integrate and welcome new students to the institution and the region, and is jointly organised by IPCA and the Academic Association.

In 2022, the programme began on 19 September with a series of academic, cultural and leisure activities in which the new students were invited to take an active part, promoting moments of sharing with their new colleagues, always with a view to integration.