University of Aveiro launches Link-UA (Learning, Integration, and Networking for Knowledge – UA) to promote Pedagogical Inovation

 Link-UA (Learning, Integration, and Networking for Knowledge – UA) is one of the educational innovation projects selected by the University of Aveiro (UA) to benefit from Incentives for Educational Innovation Projects – Impulso Mais Digital, an initiative that is part of the Aveiro Education and Social Alliance – Promotion of Success and Reduction of Dropout Rates in Higher Education project, with funding from the PRR. 

 The project, coordinated by Marisa Maia, researcher at CIDTFF and lecturer at the Department of Education and Psychology (DEP) at UA, aims to strengthen the connection between UA and the community through the structured implementation of the Service-Learning (ApS) methodology, a methodology that allows for the articulation of learning objectives and the active involvement of students in organised activities (service) with and for the community, based on real challenges and needs. Specifically, Link-UA proposes the creation of a cooperation network between UA and community partners (e.g., schools, associations, local authorities, NGOs, companies), with a view to identifying the real needs of the community and transforming them into training opportunities. 

  With funding of up to €2,000, implementation will take place throughout the 2025/2026 academic year and will cover six course units from different courses at different departments of the university – DEP, DEGEIT (Department of Economics, Management, Industrial Engineering and Tourism), ISCA (Higher Institute of Accounting and Administration), ESSUA (Higher School of Health) and DLC (Department of Languages and Cultures). 

  The teaching team consists of Marisa Maia and Paula Santos, both researchers at CIDTFF and lecturers at DEP, Jorge Mota , Conceição Tavares, Ana Quesado, and Ana Teresa Santos. 

  The project team, in collaboration with the UA Teaching and Learning Centre, invites institutions/entities in the Aveiro region to submit proposals for challenges or needs that can be converted into ApS projects. Interested entities can contact the project manager to explore possibilities for collaboration by sending an email to mamm@ua.pt . 

  More information about the 16 projects supported by the incentives can be found in this news item published by uaonline https://www.ua.pt/pt/noticias/8/93146 .