On December 17, 2024, ISEL's Main Auditorium was the stage for a remarkable event full of history. As part of the celebrations of ISEL's 50th anniversary, the meeting entitled: "The Student Associative Movement from IIL to ISEL in the context of the Lisbon Academy – Testimonies of former and current association leaders" was held. This event was a true journey through time, celebrating the importance of the Student Associative Movement and its fundamental role in the creation and consolidation of engineering education in Portugal, with special emphasis on the impact on ISEL.   Among those present were representatives of the Sports and Academic Association of the former Industrial Institute of Lisbon (ADAIIL), the Student Association of the Industrial Institute of Lisbon (AEIIL) and the Student Association of the Higher Institute of Engineering of Lisbon (AEISEL), among others and through their testimonies, it was possible to relive remarkable moments in the history of the student associative movement,  from the 1960s and 1970s to the present day, in addition to representatives of the Order of Engineers and the Order of Technical Engineers. The session was moderated by Eng. Manuel Carvalho (former student and professor at ISEL) and had a warm opening by the Vice-President of ISEL, Professor Cristina Borges, who welcomed the vast audience present in the auditorium.    The event culminated with the unveiling ceremony of the commemorative plaques of the 90th anniversary of ADAIIL and the 50th anniversary of ISEL. This meeting was more than a celebration: it was a living testimony to the transformative force of the Student Associative Movement and the legacy it continues to build for future generations of engineers. View on flickr [flickr-photoset:id=72177720323102377, size=q, num=10]

On January 3rd, 2025, the swearing-in ceremony of the new board of ISEL took place, marking the beginning of the 2025-2028 term. The event was divided into two significant moments. During the morning, Professor Elmano Margato, President of the Polytechnic of Lisbon, swore in Professor José Nascimento, re-elected as President of ISEL. On the occasion, the President of IPL congratulated Professor José Nascimento and his team, highlighting the challenges of the new mandate, namely the increase in the attractiveness of engineering as an area of study and the strengthening of scientific research at ISEL. Professor José Nascimento, when taking the floor, expressed gratitude for the words of support and reaffirmed his commitment to ISEL's mission, in particular with the promotion of research and technological development proven by the structure of the team he leads, including the creation, in this mandate, of the positions of Vice-President for the Scientific Area, R&D and Projects, and Advisor for the Scientific Area and Projects. In addition, internationalization also appears as a priority, materialized in the appointment of a dedicated advisor. In the afternoon, at ISEL, Professor José Nascimento swore in the Vice-Presidents who will make up the new board. The team includes:    Professor Alexandra Costa, Vice-President for the Infrastructure and Equipment Area, Professor Carla Viveiros, Vice-President for the Pedagogical and Quality Area.   Professor Pedro Silva, Vice-President for the Scientific, R&D and Projects Area and Professor Ricardo Felipe, Vice-President for the Administrative and Financial Area. Paulo Guerreiro took office, thus being reappointed as administrator of ISEL. The ceremony was also attended by the following advisors: Professor António Serrador, Advisor for the Internationalization Area, Professor Cátia Dias, Advisor for the Academic Area, Professor Elisabete Alegria, Advisor for the Scientific Area and Projects and Professor Patrícia Barata, Advisor for the Sustainability Area. This ceremony symbolizes the continuity of a project committed to academic excellence, scientific innovation, the training of engineers prepared for the challenges of the future and international expansion. Images: GCI/IPL e ISEL

On November 12th, students from the Department of Civil Engineering had the opportunity to visit the Railway Operational Command Center (CCO) of Infraestruturas de Portugal, S.A. (IP), in Braço de Prata. The visit, accompanied by professor Luísa Teles Fortes (DEC/ISEL), provided students who are currently studying curricular units in the Communication Routes area of ​​the Bachelor's Degree and Master's Degree in Civil Engineering, with a global view of the model implemented by IP in terms of Railway Traffic Management and Control, including processing and processing of information in real time. This multidisciplinary center of excellence, equipped with the most modern support systems for railway operations, commands, controls and manages railway circulation in its area of ​​coverage, covering a total of 1,200 km. The ISEL group was received by one of those responsible for the Center, Dr. João Bento, providing a great opportunity to watch the operation of a unit of this kind.     Imagem capa: Infraestruturas de Portugal 

Professor Elisabete Alegria (DEQ/ISEL) is co-author of an article recently published in the magazine Catalysis Science & Technology, where she was featured on the cover of the issue. The work entitled “Bioinspired copper-catalysed nitrous oxide reduction with simultaneous N–H or O–H bond oxidation” addresses the use of biomimetic copper catalysts in the reduction of nitrous oxide (N₂O), accompanied by the oxidation of N–H or O bonds –H. This study proposes an approach that uses affordable catalysts to promote relevant chemical reactions efficiently, contributing to the recovery of industrial waste and the mitigation of greenhouse gases.  

On November 21, 2024, as part of the celebration of World Philosophy Day, Mem Martins Secondary School held a lecture dedicated to the intersection between Philosophy and Artificial Intelligence. The event, led by Professor Pedro Santa Rosa, brought together around 60 secondary school students and teachers from different areas. The lecture featured a speech by Professor Pedro Santa Rosa entitled "Threshold: Technique and Post-Humanism - Philosophy and Artificial Intelligence", followed by a presentation by Professor Nuno Datia (DEETC/ISEL), entitled "Artificial Intelligence: fascination or threat?". Participants had the opportunity to explore critical perspectives on the impact of artificial intelligence on contemporary society, reflecting on the ethical and philosophical challenges of this emerging technology.   Imagem: Nuna Datia    

As part of the Curricular Unit of Construction Materials Technology I, integrated into the Degree in Civil Engineering (LEC), ISEL students carried out a technical visit to the Obra dos Peixinhos carried out by the company NVE Engenharia e Construção. The visit to the buildings of the Obra dos Peixinhos Phase 1/2 condominium, located in the Graça neighborhood, in Lisbon, took place on November 13th and was accompanied by professor Maria Idália Gomes (DEC/ISEL). The visit guidance was led by engineers Luís Correia and Luana Dantas and André, alumni of LEC.