Universidade da Madeira

The University of Madeira, a public institution, young, dynamic, open and attentive to the needs of the archipelago and the Euro-Atlantic area, aims to prepare its students to be accomplished citizens of the 21st century’s global society and, through its entrepreneurial character, its quality in research and its spirit of service, to contribute to the economic, social and cultural development of Madeira, Portugal and the world, passing on to them scientific knowledge, technical skills and a comprehensive training that is able to stimulate their creativity, independence, responsibility and professionalism.

Rector’s Message

The University of Madeira (UMa) was created by Decree-Law no. 319-A/88, of September 13th , and its first Statutes were approved on May 13th , 1996, being currently governed by the Statutes approved on October 9th , 2008, resulting from the revision performed in accordance to Law no. 62/2007, of September 10th , the new Legal Regime of Higher Education Institutions (RJIES).

UMa’s organization emanates from the General Council that defines the strategic policy in order to exploit the strengths and capabilities of the institution regarding the use of resources, preferential partnerships and effective assessment of performance and results.

In order to combine excellence in education and training with research and innovation, it is structured around an organized matrix of vertical/disciplinary Centers of Skills (focused on research), and horizontal Colleges and Institutes of Innovation (focused on education and innovation), corresponding to the strategic areas that represent major technological challenges in a long-term perspective, capable of generating innovative solutions with a significant impact on competitiveness.

Ph. D. Sílvio Moreira Fernandes