The title of Doctor Honoris Causa by the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro has been awarded to eminent personalities who are distinguished by their life’s career, or scientific cultural, political, economic or civic activity. They contribute to the prestige and aggrandisement of these activities, but also to the recognition of the University’s focus on the major themes of society and its players.
In this spirit, UTAD is proud of its panel of Honoris Causa Doctors, which includes such personalities as Franciscus Maria Lubbers (former Prime Minister of the Netherlands), António Lobo Antunes (writer), Wei Zhao (Rector of the University of Macau), Francisco Javier Olazabal (businessman), Manoel de Oliveira (filmmaker), Luís Valente de Oliveira (academician, former Chairman of CCDR-N and former Government Minister), Luís Garcia Braga da Cruz (former Chairman of CCDR-N and Government Minister), João Rosas Nicolau de Almeida (oenologist), Fernando Santos (National Football Squad Manager) the Portuguese Olympic Committee, Miguel Cadilhe (former Government Minister) and Alberto Feijóo (President of the Galician Governement).
Jorge Braz
Field of Sports
Biographical Note:
Born August 25, 1972 in Edmonton (Canada). He made his debut as a national futsal coach on September 23, 2003, against Azerbaijan, but it was not until July 2006 that he became part of the national technical team, assisting Orlando Duarte. In July 2010, he took over as National Coach.
he has a degree in Physical Education from the Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education of the University of Porto, having a master’s degree in Sport Sciences, specialization in Training in High Performance Sports. Known for the excellent way in which he commands his teams, Jorge Braz stands out for his leadership and for the respect he has earned in national sport.
Graça Morais
11 may 2022
Field of Arts
Biographical Note:
A member of the National Academy of Fine Arts and of various associations, confraternities and cultural foundations, Graça Morais was born on March 17, 1948 in Vieiro, a village in the municipality of Vila Flor.
In 1971, he completed the Superior Course of Painting at the Superior School of Fine Arts in Porto and, between 1976 and 1979, he lived in Paris on a scholarship from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.
From 1974 to 2022, he held and participated in more than a hundred exhibitions in Portugal and abroad, notably the representation of Portugal at the XVII Bienal de São Paulo and the shows at the Museum of Modern Art of São Paulo and at the Museum of Modern Art of Rio de Janeiro.
In 2008, the Graça Morais Contemporary Art Center (CACG) was inaugurated in Bragança and, 10 years later, the Graça Morais Arts Laboratory was created, which aims to promote new opportunities for practice-based teaching and research activities of the arts in the mountain context, as well as stimulating new centers of scientific and cultural intervention of international relevance.
His plastic work has won numerous awards and distinctions: SocTip Prize – Artist of the Year (1991), Degree of Grand Officer of the Order of Infante D. Henrique (1997), Arts Prize – Casino da Póvoa (2011), Grand Acquisition Prize from the National Academy of Fine Arts (2013), Distinction for Women Creators of Culture (2014), ‘Work of Life’ Prize from the SOS Azulejo Awards (2016), Medal of Cultural and Scientific Merit, Gold Degree from Vila Nova de Gaia (2017), Medal of Honor of the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança (2018), Medal of Cultural Merit on behalf of the Portuguese Government (2019). At the end of 2021, Graça Morais was honored at the Nouvelle Sorbonne [Paris], with a day of studies on her work, and is represented in the exhibition “All I want — Portuguese artists from 1900 to 2020”.
Paul Douglas Symington
4th october 2019
Economics
Biographical Note:
Born in Porto in 1953, Paul Douglas Symington is the descendant of a family with parchments linked to the Douro and Port Wine for over three centuries.
He studied at the University of Neuchâtel [Switzerland] and at the University of Westminster [London], where he graduated in Management. In 1979, he joined the family Port wine company – Symington Family Estates –, of which he chaired the Board of Directors between 2003 and 2018. Currently, the Symington family owns 26 farms throughout the Douro.
For his services to the region and to Port Wine, Paul Symington has been awarded with honorable awards and distinctions, being one of the main world references in the wine sector, especially in Port Wine.
Agustina Bessa-Luís
23rd november 2018
Field of Literature
Biographical Note:
Born in Vila Meã, Amarante, in 1922, Agustina Bessa-Luís is not only one of the most important voices in Portuguese literature, but also someone with a fertile life in various fields of culture. Thus, she was a member of the Board of Directors of the Comunitá Europea degli Scrittori; the High Authority for Social Communication; the Academie Européene des Sciences, des Arts e des Lettres; the Brazilian Academy of Letters and the Lisbon Academy of Sciences. She was the director of the newspaper “O Primeiro de Janeiro”, between 1986 and 1987 and, between 1990 and 1993, she directed the Teatro Nacional D. Maria II. Since 2008, the Agustina Bessa-Luís Revelation Literary Prize has been in force, designed to distinguish unpublished novels by debuting Portuguese writers.
She was awarded numerous prizes, of which we highlight: Eça de Queirós Prize, 1954; National Prize for Novelistics, 1967; D. Dinis Award, 1981; Romance and Novel Grand Prize, 1983 and 2001; Camões Prize, 2004. She was also distinguished with the Order of Santiago da Espada (1980) and Officier de l’Ordre des Arts e des Lettres, awarded by the French government (1989). She has received, to date, three Honoris Causa Doctorates — from Universidade Lusíada, 1999; University of Porto, 2005 (ex aequo with Eugénio de Andrade); Rome’s Tor Vergata, 2008.
Video: [OPEN]
Alberto Núñez Feijóo
14th december 2017
Field of Law
Biographical Note:
Alberto Núñez Feijóo was born in Ourense, built a remarkable course in public life until his election as president of the Junta de Galicia. He graduated in Law from the University of Santiago de Compostela and has been linked to the Autonomous Administration since 1985, where he joined the General Board of Directors of the Board of Directors. Later, he held high-level positions in various branches of the Galician administration, standing out as president of the State Society of Posts and Telegraphs S.A. and as advisor of Territorial Policy, Public Works and Housing. In 2003, he distinguished himself with the Great Cross of Isabel Catholic. Appointed deputy president of the Junta de Galicia in 2004, he was elected president in 2009.
Video: [OPEN]
Miguel José Ribeiro Cadilhe
24th march 2017
Economics
Biographical Note:
Miguel José Ribeiro Cadilhe was born in Barcelos, studied high school in Póvoa de Varzim and studied at the Faculty of Economics of the Universidade do Porto, where he also worked as a teacher. In 1973 he joined Banco Português do Atlântico, where he headed the Office of Economic Studies. He presided over various companies and institutions. He was Secretary of State for Planning in 1980 and Minister of Finance between the end of 1985 and the beginning of 1990. As president of the King Afonso Henriques Foundation, he launched the candidacy of the Alto Douro Vinhateiro to World Heritage. He received several school and professional awards and was awarded the crosses of the orders of the Merit of Portugal and the Southern Cross of Brazil and the Gold Medal of Merit of the city of Porto. He currently collaborates with entities related to culture, performs financial consulting functions and is chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Universidade do Porto.
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Fernando Manuel Fernandes da Costa Santos
18th november 2016
Field of Sport
Biographical Note:
Fernando Santos graduated as a Technical Engineer of Electronics and Telecommunications in 1977 from the Superior Institute of Engineering of Lisbon and was Director of Technical Services at the Hotel Palácio, Estoril, from 1981 to 1998. He began his career as a footballer with Operário da Graça in the 1970-71 season. After that, he played for Desportivo da Graça, Sport Lisboa e Benfica, Estoril, Marítimo, Estoril again, from the 80-81 season until February 1987, when he became the coach, leading the team first to the 2nd Division and then to the top tier of Portuguese football. After four seasons at Estrela da Amadora, in which he led the club to its highest level ever in the 1st Division, he moved to Futebol Clube do Porto in 1998, where he won the national championship in his first season. In 2001, he went to Greece, where he trained AEK and Panathinaikos. He returned to Portugal in 2003 to train Sporting Clube de Portugal. In 2004, he returned to AEK, and led the club to the Champions League. In 2006, he returned to Benfica, becoming the first Portuguese coach, and third in the world, to have managed the three main Portuguese football clubs. Back in Greece in 2007, he trained PAOK and in 2010 accepted the invitation to be manager of the Greek national squad. In September 2014, he was appointed coach of the Portuguese national team, and under his leadership Portugal qualified for the EURO 2016. In 2016, under his managership, the national team was crowned European champion.
Video: [OPEN]
João Rosas Nicolau de Almeida
29th may 2015
Field of Oenology
Biographical Note:
João Nicolau de Almeida graduated in Viticulture Chemistry and Oenology from the University of Bordeaux. He was one of the pioneers of monovarietal microvinification studies and the introduction of the vertical vineyard system in the Douro. He is currently oenologist and managing director for Ramos Pinto, which belongs to the international Roederer group. He has received the highest honours, including the winemaker of the year award by Wine & Spirits magazine in 1998. He has had a great influence on the development of D.O.C. Douro (designation of origin) wines, and in 1990 created Duas Quintas. He is considered one of the most brilliant Portuguese winemakers.
Luís Garcia Braga da Cruz
9th may 2015
Important services rendered to the country and, in particular, to the Northern region
Biographical Note:
Civil Engineer from the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (1965), where he was a Guest Professor. He is currently Chairman of the Serralves Foundation and the Portuguese Foundation Centre. He was Chairman of the Coordination Commission for the Northern Region (1986-1995 and 1996-2001); President of AREV - Assembly of European Wine Regions (1998/2001); Chairman of ENERNOVA, Novas Energias S.A. of the EDP Group; Minister of Economy in the XIV Constitutional Government. He was elected Member of the Assembly of the Republic in the 10th parliamentary legislature. He was Chairman of the General Council of the University of Minho (2009-2013).
Comité Olímpico de Portugal
23rd june 2014
Field of Sport
Biographical Note:
The Olympic Committee of Portugal (COP) was founded on 26 October 1909 as a public institution with legal association status, of unlimited duration, established in accordance with the norms established by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The COP is governed by its Statutes, which are drawn up in accordance with the principles of the Olympic Charter, the Regulations adopted at the Plenary Assembly and, in addition, the rules of the Civil Code applicable to associations.
Video: [OPEN]
Luís Francisco Valente de Oliveira
14th june 2013
Field of Civil Engineering
Biographical Note:
Luis Francisco Valente de Oliveira was born in S. João da Madeira in 1937. He graduated in Civil Engineering from the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto in 1961 and obtained his PhD in Civil Engineering from the same University in 1973. In The Hague (The Netherlands), he attended the Institute of Social Studies, from where he holds a Diploma in Regional Development Planning (1969), and also a Master of Science in Transportation Planning from Imperial College, University of London (1971). He was a Professor at the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto between 1980 and 1997, where he held several positions, such as: Chairman of the Coordination Commission for the Northern Region (1979-85); Minister for Education and Scientific Research (1978-79); Minister of Planning and Territory Administration (1985-95); Minister of Public Works, Transport and Housing (2002-03). At the World Bank, he was responsible for the preparation, negotiation and implementation of the Integrated Development Programme for Trás-os-Montes and Alto-Douro. He has been awarded the Grand Cross of the Military Order of Christ (Portugal - 2004); the Grand Cross of the Order of the Infante (Portugal - 1980); the Grand Cross of the Order of the Southern Cross (Brazil - 1987) and the Grand Cross of the Order of Honour (Greece - 2002). He also holds the rank of Commander of the Order of Our Lady of the Conception of Vila Viçosa of Portugal (Portugal - 2002) and of Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur (France - 2008). He is a member of the Academy of Engineering; Member - Adviser to the Engineers Association; Chairman of the Council of Founders of Casa da Música; Member of the Board of Directors of FLAD - Luso-American Foundation for Development; non-executive member of the Board of Directors of Mota Engil, SGPS, S.A.; Chairman of the Supervisory Council of EFACEC, SGPS, S.A. He was Director of the AEP Foundation and, in 2013, the European Coordinator of Motorways of the Sea.
VIdeo: [OPEN]
Manoel Cândido Pinto de Oliveira
88th February 2012
Film and Cinematography
Biographical Note:
Manuel Cândido Pinto de Oliveira was born in Oporto on December 11th 1908. His early studies took place at the Universal School in Oporto, and the Jesuit College of La Guardia, Galicia, where he gains notoriety as a sportsman: gymnastics, swimming, athletics and motorsports. At the age of twenty he attends the School of Film Actors, founded by Rino Lupo, taking a part as an extra in the movie Fátima Milagrosa (1928). It’s after this that he buys a Kinamo camera, with which he begins filming Douro, Faina Fluvial whose debut on September 21st 1931, stirs up violent reactions from critics and praise from foreigners at the V International Critics Congress. In 1933 he acts in the film Lisbon Song (Canção de Lisboa), by Cottinelli Telmo. The soundtrack version of Douro, Faina Fluvial debuts overseas one year later, consecrates him as a filmmaker. He maintains a regular collaboration with his favourite actors: Luís Miguel Cintra, Leonor Silveira, Ricardo Trêpa, Leonor Baldaque, Diogo Doria, Rogério Samora, Michael William, Ruth Elizabeth, Catherine Deneuve, Marcello Mastroianni, John Malkovich, Michel Piccoli, Irene Papas, Chiara Mastroianni, Lima Duarte and Marisa Paredes. With a rather long filmography and numerous international awards, Manoel de Oliveira is a filmmaker who is called THE MASTER by many.
VIdeo: [OPEN]
Francisco Javier Olazabal Rebelo Valente
3rd june 2011
Viticulture
Biographical Note:
Francisco Javier Olazabal Rebelo Valente was born on the 23rd of May 1938, in Oporto. He graduated in Economics from the University of Porto Faculty of Economics. He was deputy director of the Constantino Port Wines Society and Deputy Manager of A. A. Ferreira, SA (Casa Ferreirinha), the parent company of the Group. He took the place of his father as president of A. A. Ferreira, SA. In 1987 the A. A. Ferreira Company is acquired by the Sogrape Group, but it maintains the same Administration, retaining him as President. In 1989 he assumes the presidency of Sogrape Distribution, SA, and in 1994 he and his three sons acquire the Quinta do Vale Meão in Vila Nova de Foz Coa, founded by his great-great grandmother Antonia Adelaide Ferreira (known as Ferreirinha of Régua). In 1998 he devotes himself to creating and marketing wines with his son, the oenologist Francisco de Olazabal Nicolau de Almeida, whose wines have received numerous awards. In 2001 he was elected Chancellor of the Port Wine Brotherhood, a position he held until 2009. In 2004 he was decorated by President Jorge Sampaio with the degree of Grand Officer of the Order of Agricultural Merit.
VIdeo: [OPEN]
Wei Zhao
20th march 2011
Information Sciences
Biographical Note:
Professor Wei Zhao is a prestigious academic, with a degree in physics from Shaanxi Regular University in 1977, and the Master and Ph.D. degrees in Computer and Information Sciences from the University of Massachusetts. He was a lecturer at the Xaanxi Regular University, Amherst College, University of Adelaide in Texas and A&M University. He was appointed eighth Dean of the University of Macau (UM) and was the first Meritorious Full Professor at that institution.
António Lobo Antunes
6th june 2007
Literature
Biographical Note:
António Lobo Antunes was born on the 1st of September 1942, in Lisbon. He graduated in medicine, specializing in psychiatry, and began his literary career, marked by the experience of colonial war in Angola, in 1979. In 1985 he devotes himself exclusively to writing. He is currently one of the most widely read, translated and sold Portuguese writers worldwide.
VIdeo: [OPEN]
Franciscus Maria Lubbers
10th December 1989
Economics
Biographical Note:
Rudolphus (Ruud) Franciscus Maria Lubbers was born in Rotterdam, Netherlands on the 7th May 1939. He was a representative of the Catholic People's Party (KVP), Minister of Economic Affairs and the Prime Minister in the Lubbers government. He devoted special attention to cooperation with Portugal.
He was the first Doctor Honoris Causa from UTAD, for the support he provided as Prime Minister of the Netherlands to the growth and implementation of the then University Institute of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro.
Video: [OPEN]