Sandra Miranda was sworn in today as President of the School of Communication and Media Studies (ESCS) of the Polytechnic University of Lisbon (IPL), becoming the first woman to lead the institution since its establishment in 1990.

The inauguration ceremony took place at the ESCS campus and was attended by António Belo, President of the Polytechnic University of Lisbon, who formally administered the oath of office to the new President, alongside members of the academic community and institutional representatives.

In addition to being the first woman to serve as President of the School, Sandra Miranda is also the first President to be elected under the new electoral framework established by the ESCS Statutes, published in 2024. In her inaugural address, she expressed the hope that this milestone would, in time, cease to be regarded as noteworthy.

"I sincerely hope that, in the near future, this will no longer be considered a milestone worthy of special mention, but simply the reflection of an institution that values, above all, merit, competence and diversity in its leadership," she said.

During her address, the new President spoke to the academic community, highlighting the work carried out by the School’s academic staff and emphasising that "teaching is only the most visible part of a much broader role", which also encompasses research, academic supervision, the preparation of funding applications and the development of projects, extending well beyond scheduled teaching hours.

"There is an extraordinary generosity at the heart of academic life that rarely finds its way into reports or performance indicators. Yet it is this generosity that enables a school to grow and thrive," she said.

Sandra Miranda also expressed her appreciation for the School’s professional services and administrative staff, highlighting the trust, professionalism and commitment they demonstrate on a daily basis. "An institution is shaped by its regulations, procedures and processes, but it is built above all on the way it treats people," she said, adding that it is in this respect that the contribution of these colleagues becomes "truly irreplaceable".

Addressing the students, whom she described as "the very reason this School exists", the new President reminded them that they are also its greatest ambassadors. "An institution’s reputation is built above all on the quality, integrity and professionalism of those it educates," she said, arguing that the future of ESCS will be shaped by its next generations of graduates.

In the closing part of her address, the President renewed the invitation she had first extended during her election campaign, adopting the motto Beyond More ("Mais Além") as a commitment to the School and its community. "I do not promise you a path without challenges. I promise you hard work, openness, attentiveness, rigour and an unwavering commitment to this School," she said.

For Sandra Miranda, the future of ESCS will depend on the ability of the entire community to face challenges "together, with the freedom to think, the courage to innovate, the determination to strive constantly for excellence, and the quiet ambition never to lose what makes this School a truly unique place".

During the same ceremony, Vice-Presidents Carla Murteira and Henrique Silva were also sworn into office and will serve as members of the Presidency team throughout the new term of office.

Carla Murteira affirmed to carry out her new responsibilities with dedication, promising to devote "hard work and commitment to this institution".

Henrique Silva expressed his gratitude for the trust placed in him and reflected on his nearly 32-year connection with ESCS. "It is a tremendous honour and, at the same time, a great responsibility. I hope to repay that trust with the utmost dedication and commitment," he said.

During the ceremony, the President of the Polytechnic University of Lisbon, António Belo, congratulated Sandra Miranda on her election and expressed his confidence that, under her leadership, ESCS would continue to strengthen its reputation and standing.

With the new President now formally in office, ESCS embarks on a new strategic chapter, seeking to consolidate its position as a leading institution in education, research and innovation in the field of Communication, while remaining firmly committed to academic excellence, freedom of expression, critical thinking and engagement with society.