On 4 February 2026, Maria João Centeno took office as Vice-President for the European Alliance U!REKA, following a nomination by the President of the Polytechnic University of Lisbon (IPL), António Belo.

A lecturer at the ESCS and a researcher at LIACOM, Maria João Centeno takes on this role with the aim of strengthening IPL’s participation in the European alliance U!REKA. This appointment seeks to ensure active political leadership, as well as continuous monitoring of the initiatives developed within the framework of the international cooperation promoted by the alliance.

Her responsibilities also include coordinating between the different organisational units of IPL and their respective services, fostering a concerted approach within the context of U!REKA, as well as representing the Institute in the governance bodies of the European alliance.

Text by the ESCS Communication Service.
Photographs by GCI-IPL.