2024 SDGs in Focus

Sustainability is integrated across UMinho’s work in teaching, research and community engagement. Its contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is reflected in the integration of environmental, social and economic considerations into institutional policies, projects and practices.

Through education, UMinho helps prepare qualified citizens to address global challenges. Through research and innovation, it develops solutions based on scientific knowledge. Through its engagement with society, it strengthens partnerships and initiatives that generate a positive impact at local, national and international levels.

In 2024, the institution contributed to all of the SDGs:

  • 5,413 grants awarded;
  • €8,526,982.51 in annual grant funding;
  • 63% occupancy rate in halls of residence;
  • 1,326 beds;
  • 862 grant-holding students accommodated in halls of residence;
  • 9 Emergency Social Fund grants, averaging €1,060.08 per student.
  • 493,588 meals served
  • 368,122 (74.6%) subsidised meals
  • 27,233 takeaway meals provided.
  • 2 health centres;
  • 1,855 medical appointments;
  • 941 psychological appointments;
  • 1,027 nursing appointments;
  • 293 blood donations;
  • 223 bone marrow donors;
  • Psychological voucher – 1,108 awarded and 441 appointments recorded;
  • Nutritionist voucher – 727 awarded and 344 appointments recorded;
  • 2 sports pavilions;
  • 580 sports activities;
  • 318 student-athletes with assigned status;
  • 78 medals
  • 64 sporting merit awards
  • 46 degree-awarding programmes: 57 bachelor’s degrees, 2 integrated master’s degrees and 127 master’s degrees, plus 60 doctoral programmes;
  • 6,556 curricular units, of which 2,253 relate to sustainability (34%);
  • 185 study programmes (master’s/doctoral), of which 34 relate to sustainability (18%);
  • 821 students enrolled on non-degree courses, 288 more than in 2023, including 614 students enrolled on non-degree courses as part of the “Postgraduate Alliance” project;
  • 5,197 diplomas awarded, including 2,778 bachelor’s degrees across first-cycle courses and the first cycle of integrated master’s degrees;
  • 1 orchestra;
  • 251 cultural events open to the community (104 concerts, 108 exhibitions and 39 book launches);
  • 576 conferences held;
  • School outreach programmes, such as Open University Days, Summer on Campus and Try Out UMinho;
  • 5,000 participants in Casa do Conhecimento initiatives;
  • 13,005 visitors to the Nogueira da Silva Museum;
  • 70 cultural events promoted by Braga Public Library;
  • 23 books published by UMinho Editora.
  • Bachelor’s degree students – 56% women;
  • First-generation students starting higher education – 57% women:
  • Proportion of women across study cycles: 53% in doctoral programmes, 60% in master’s programmes and 52% in bachelor’s programmes;
  • Proportion of women across fields of study: 40% in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, 75% in Medicine, 67% in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.
  • 99% of water monitored and found to be of good quality;
  • 100% of residences with a public water supply system;
  • 90% of taps and showers fitted with water-saving devices.
  • UMinho’s ECO.AP 2030 Efficiency Plan (2024-2026) aims to promote resource efficiency and improve environmental sustainability.

Managers:

  • 30 to 50 years old – 66%;
  • Over 50 years old – 34%;
  • Female 66% and male 34%.

Staff:

  • Under 30 years old – 5.7%;
  • 30 to 50 years old – 49%;
  • Over 50 years old – 45.3%;
  • Female 54% and male 46%.
  • 494 R&D projects under way;
  • €183 million in overall funding;
  • 3,466 indexed scientific publications;
  • 3,412 publications recorded in Scopus;
  • 540 related to sustainability;
  • Strengthening open science through RepositóriUM and DataRepositóriUM;
  • National leader in industrial property, according to the Barómetro Inventa – Patentes Made in Portugal 2024
  • Strong links between research, innovation, technology transfer and regional impact
  • 20 start-ups in the field of sustainability.
  • The Centre for the Promotion of Student Inclusion, Development and Success (CPIDSSE) implemented the following actions:

    • 345 support measures allocated according to different health conditions;
    • 22 awareness-raising sessions were held in secondary schools;
    • 7 meetings of the National Group for Supporting Students with Disabilities were held;
    • 62 interactive screens were installed across the campuses.
  • UMinho looks after its buildings and, in new construction or refurbishment work, applies sustainability criteria to save energy and reduce environmental impact;
  • 16 initiatives were carried out to promote safety on campus;
  • 400 sampling points across UMinho’s campuses for indoor air quality (IAQ) monitoring, covering administrative areas annually and laboratories more frequently, depending on the associated risk;
  • Shuttle service between campuses;
  • Pedestrian and cycling network with safe, comfortable conditions;
  • Direct connection to urban and inter-municipal public transport are available;
  • Electric vehicle charging stations are available in adjacent public spaces.
  • SAS produced 8 tonnes of organic waste;
  • SAS recycled 0.8 tonnes of used cooking oil;
  • 22 tonnes of non-hazardous waste were produced;
  • 33 tonnes of hazardous waste were produced;
  • Around 100 recycling points have been installed in halls of residence, dining and sports areas;
  • Around 10 recycling bins are available for cardboard, glass and plastic;
  • Plastic cups have been replaced with cardboard cups;
  • Paper use has been reduced through digital procedures;
  • Only paper certified as sustainable (PEFC®, FSC®) is used.
  • Carbon emissions are calculated to enable ongoing monitoring of the environmental footprint and the implementation of concrete measures to reduce it. Total carbon emissions in 2024 amounted to 14,075 tCO2e.
  • MarUMinho is a new UMinho centre to be established in Apúlia, in partnership with Esposende Town Council. It will restore existing buildings and create new spaces with modern laboratories, accommodation for researchers and facilities for sea-related start-ups. Focusing on the blue economy and the effects of climate change on the coast, it brings together several UMinho centres to promote research, innovation and sustainable development along the North Coast.
  • Community gardens;
  • Green spaces for social interaction and well-being;
  • Forest area: 266,308.63 m²;
  • Garden area: 84,393.09 m²;
  • Planting of 100 cork oaks in the UMinho woodland.
  • UMinho’s Corruption and Related Offence Risk Management Plan (PGRC) covers areas such as public procurement and financial management, complemented by regular training to strengthen ethics in procedures and decision-making;
  • UMinho promotes academic freedom, ethics, transparency and inclusion, ensuring respect for human rights.
  • Since 2014, UMinho has been part of the UN Global Compact, becoming the first Portuguese public university to join;
  • In 2019, it joined the Rede Campus Sustentável Portugal (Sustainable Campus Network Portugal);
  • In 2022, UMinho joined the Arqus European University Alliance;
  • In 2023, it took part in projects and meetings and was chosen as co-coordinator of a network of Portuguese universities with European alliances;
  • In 2023, it joined the SDSN Portugal, promoting sustainability, human rights and the Sustainable Development Goals.