From December 2 to 5, ISEL hosted the U!Innovate Winter School, an initiative promoted by the Polytechnic University of Lisbon (IPL), organized within the scope of the European project U!Innovate and focused on developing entrepreneurship skills.The initiative featured active participation from professors at ISEL, the Lisbon School of Health, Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, Odessa National Economic University, and Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences. They led technical workshops, mentoring sessions, and co-creation activities, reinforcing the multidisciplinary approach essential to technology- and socially-based entrepreneurship.Over four days, students, faculty, and researchers from Germany, the Czech Republic, Ukraine, the Netherlands, and Portugal engaged in an intensive experience aimed at creating innovative solutions and developing business ideas. The Winter School included practical sessions and collaborative challenges dedicated to entrepreneurial thinking, business models, funding, and idea validation. Participants worked on real proposals presented by external partners, applying innovation methodologies, design thinking, and agile development to transform problems into business opportunities.In the end, the group was divided into multicultural teams and challenged to develop an innovative solution that would promote climate neutrality and drive the creation of smart cities. Students Duarte Fonseca and Sofia Salgado, from the 3rd year of the Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering and Multimedia, were part of the team that delivered the winning pitch, proposing the creation of TrashMates, an application that turns urban waste collection into a gamified experience through augmented reality, encouraging users to clean the streets and earn both virtual and real rewards, such as discounts in supermarkets and public transportation.Check out the photo album on Flickr.Photograph of the winning team provided by the students.

As of December 1, 2025, Professor Elisabete Alegria assumes the role of Vice-President of ISEL, with responsibility for the scientific area, research and development (R&D), and projects.As part of this redefinition of areas of responsibility, Professor Pedro Silva, who until now served as Vice-President overseeing the area that Professor Alegria will now manage, will take charge of infrastructures and equipment.Prior to this appointment, Professor Elisabete Alegria had already contributed to the institution’s strategic development as an advisor for the scientific area and projects.

ISEL held another CSWA (Certified SolidWorks Associate) certification session, aimed at students of the Mechanical Engineering degree program. The initiative took place on November 24, under the supervision of professors Ricardo F. Portal (DEM/ISEL) and João Milho (DEM/ISEL).A total of 63 students participated, of which 57 obtained the CSWA certificate by achieving at least 70% (165 out of 240 points). This result corresponds to a success rate of 91.9%. It is also noteworthy that 32.3% of the students achieved the maximum score (240/240), equivalent to a grade of 20 out of 20.The CSWA certification is an international recognition of proficiency in using SOLIDWORKS software, covering concepts of 3D modeling, design, and sustainability, giving students a competitive advantage in today’s job market. At ISEL, access to this certification—whose commercial cost exceeds €100 per person—was provided free of charge thanks to a partnership with Ibernova (Sqédio), representative of the SolidWorks program, through Opportunities (formerly vouchers) granted by the Certification Provider and professor Ricardo F. Portal to the students.At ISEL, this opportunity is offered to students who demonstrate high academic performance in the courses of Computer-Aided Design and Mechanical Construction Drawing. Thanks to this initiative, since 2017, 315 students from the Mechanical Engineering degree program have obtained the CSWA certificate.Check out the photo album on Flickr.

On November 23rd, ISEL celebrated Native Forest Day with an initiative integrated into the ISEL Eco-Campus program, dedicated to promoting biodiversity and environmental sustainability.The event brought together professors, non-professors, and students who, under the guidance of Vítor Gordo, mentor of the Biodiversity Islands project, joined together to plant native trees on campus. The initiative also included the participation of an 8th-grade class from Olaias, who helped remove invasive species and replant native plants, reinforcing the importance of environmental education and cooperation between institutions.Native forests, composed of species native to the territory, play an essential role in ecological balance, serving as a refuge for local fauna and exhibiting greater resistance to pests, diseases, and extreme phenomena such as droughts or heavy rains. These characteristics contribute to soil fertility and the preservation of natural landscapes.See the photo album on Flickr.

As part of the ISEL Eco-Campus program, new outdoor wellness areas have been created, with chairs designed for resting, studying, or socializing.Located in the outdoor courtyards of buildings E and G and in the corridor of building P near the circular economy cabinet, these new areas invite the entire academic community to better enjoy the school's outdoor spaces.This initiative reinforces ISEL's commitment to improving outdoor spaces, making the campus more sustainable and enjoyable for everyone.Come and discover and enjoy these new rest areas!

From November 10 to 14, 2025, ISEL hosted the in-person phase of the Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) – Entrepreneurship Beyond Borders: Focusing on Climate Change, an initiative promoted by the U!REKA team of the Polytechnic University of Lisbon (IPL) and funded by the Erasmus+ program.The project targeted undergraduate, master’s, and PhD students from any field, early-stage entrepreneurs and startup founders, as well as researchers and faculty from U!REKA network partner institutions interested in innovation and business incubation.This BIP combined online sessions with in-person activities, aiming to foster sustainable entrepreneurship and carbon neutrality. The three online sessions took place between October 21 and November 18, while the in-person phase was held on the ISEL campus, bringing together international participants for five intensive days of learning and collaboration.Throughout the week, participants deepened their understanding of innovation and sustainable entrepreneurship, developed startup ideas with positive environmental impact, engaged in practical workshops, roundtables, and co-creation sessions, explored funding opportunities in Portugal and the European Union, and pitched their projects to mentors and experts, receiving constructive feedback.The program aimed to achieve, among other outcomes, a deeper understanding of sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship, financing and scalability strategies, and the development of an international, climate-conscious mindset.International participation and team The initiative brought together around 40 participants, including 25 students from Germany, Czechia, Portugal, and Austria. Jorge Albino and Nuno Aguiar, students of the Bachelor’s in Computer Science and Computer Engineering, joined international teams in developing the projects.On behalf of the Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon, the following faculty members and guests were involved:ISEL: António Serrador, Matilde Pato, Luís Barreiros, and Isabel João. Guests: Fábio Matos (NEXUS) and Nuno Alves (ANI).ESSL: Marina Silva, Mário Matos, and Gilda Cunha.ESELx: Cristina Cruz.See the photo album on Flickr.