The School of Communication and Media Studies (ESCS) hosted the opening day of U!REKA Connects 2026 on 24 June, the annual meeting of the U!REKA European University Alliance, organised this year by the Polytechnic University of Lisbon. The event brought together more than 350 participants from eleven countries, including researchers, academic staff, students and professionals from the alliance's partner institutions.

ESCS provided the venue for the conference's opening session, marking the official start of three days dedicated to educational innovation, research, sustainability, inclusion and European cooperation. During the opening ceremony, António Belo, President of the Polytechnic University of Lisbon, welcomed participants and highlighted the importance of collaboration among the alliance's member institutions in developing innovative and sustainable solutions for cities and communities.

Throughout the day, the School hosted a diverse programme featuring the keynote lecture, From Roadmaps to Reality: Delivering Circularity and Climate Neutrality, delivered by Jorge Cristino, Partner at Get2C, alongside several parallel sessions dedicated to projects developed within the U!REKA Alliance. ESCS also hosted the meeting of the Rectors of the partner institutions, reinforcing its role as a venue for dialogue and strategic planning for the future of the alliance.

One of the day's most symbolic moments was the group photograph taken on ESCS's iconic main staircase, bringing together representatives from the partner universities in an image that reflected the collaborative spirit and shared commitment at the heart of U!REKA.

Hosting the opening day of the conference demonstrated ESCS's capacity to welcome large-scale international events and reaffirmed the School's commitment to internationalisation, academic cooperation and the sharing of knowledge across Europe.

U!REKA Connects 2026 took place from 23 to 25 June across several schools of the Polytechnic University of Lisbon, featuring 21 workshops and around 70 presentations focused on developing solutions for smarter, more inclusive and sustainable cities. ESCS's participation in the event represented an important milestone in strengthening its role as an active partner within the U!REKA Alliance and in advancing the Polytechnic University of Lisbon's European strategy.

For further information about the programme, highlights and outcomes of U!REKA Connects 2026, please visit the news article available on the Polytechnic University of Lisbon website.

Browse a selection of photographs capturing the highlights of U!REKA Connects 2026 at ESCS on 24 June. https://www.flickr.com/photos/escs-ipl/albums/72177720334543462