Universidade Júnior - Junior University
- Portugal,National and some international participants
- 2005

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The Junior University is the largest national program to introduce young people to the university environment and an example of articulation between higher education and basic and secondary education. Since its inception in 2005, more than 70 thousand children and teenagers between 10 and 18 years of age have participated in the program. The program presents a large diversity of activities in many different areas. Junior Unive... show more
U.Jr. has been addressing multiple issues such as: vocational orientation, introduction to specific scientific areas or topics, the promotion of higher education and knowledge-based careers. U. Jr is providing as well a glimpse into everyday life in the 14 faculties that integrate the University. An important component of the U. Jr. is furthermore the promotion of pupils from underprivileged socioeconomic groups through a w... show more
In 2005 the University wanted to face a new challenge on how to bring children and University together? The question was how to foster the interest for knowledge among youngsters?
The University thought about ways to encourage curiosity and to promote the knowledge, for instance in different scientific fields like natural sciences, technology, languages and arts, history and sports. In the Portuguese reality these approach... show more
The U.Jr program has two important moments in the year: In July, the general program (for students between the 5th and 12th years of schooling) and in September the schools of introduction to scientific research. The program between July and September it’s a very large program receiving more than 7000 youngsters.
The general program, counts on the contribution of 14 faculties, a business school, several research institutes... show more
The Junior University (Universidade Júnior - U.Jr) is a very large educational program, founded in 2005, conducted during the summer months, mainly aimed at 10-18 year olds, organized by the University of Porto.
The Junior University program has the purpose of dissemination of different areas of knowledge, offering summer courses designed by university professors, for the youngsters. The program offers non-formal activitie... show more
The largest number of these participants originates from the country’s North region. However, they also comprise a significant number of children and teenagers from all over Portugal, both continental and from the Azores and Madeira islands. U.Jr has also become known in foreign countries and participants have come from countries such as the USA, Spain, France, China, Thailand, Mozambique, Angola, Cape Verde and São Tomé and ... show more
The Junior University is the largest national program to introduce young people to the university environment and an example of articulation between higher education and basic and secondary education. Since its inception in 2005, more than 70 thousand children and and teenagers between 10 and 18 years of age have participated in the program. The program presents a very large diversity of activities in many different areas. Jun... show more
Junior University is not based on any particular theoretical model, but rather a wide range of approaches:
- the active role of the student;
- the offer of creative and interactive activities for individuals and groups
- whenever possible the use of interdisciplinary approaches;
- the communication with adult audience, disseminating the activities of research centres and postgraduate training offers;
-... show more
It distinguishes itself from other projects, because of its scope in terms of target audience and the capacity to involve all the faculties, research institutes and many other stakeholders. Also all the activities conducted in many different areas are very diverse and interactive.
According to the plans developed for each activity, participants generally have very interactive and practical approaches, over the course of a week. For example, lab work, field work, workshops, etc.
The program has the annual collaboration of a set of actors with different capacities and competences:
The programs are designed and organized by University professors and implemented by under- and postgraduate students under the supervision of senior professors and researchers.
The planning, coordination and implementation of U.Jr are provided by three structures: Executive/Scientific Board, Coordination and activitie... show more
Junior University has been establishing across the country many agreements with almost 50 municipalities, associations and enterprises. These strong connections have a major importance for the project because they grant the social inclusion of pupils from underrepresented groups in the summer courses.
Furthermore, it wants to strengthen the collaboration between formal, non-formal and informal educational providers, enter... show more
The Junior University programs cover a wide range of topics and areas of knowledge, which is why it is a transversal program. In its activities, usually they establish links between different areas showing the importance of combining of two or more academic disciplines.
Throughout the various editions many of the organized activities/workshops have some connection with the local reality, for example, current problems or strongest research areas linked to the industry.
One obvious group of (internal) stakeholders is the academic community, which includes students, faculty and staff. External stakeholders include various groups: businesses, families, alumni, governmental institutions, cultural institutions, research agencies, international financing bodies and the society at large.
Being open to society is fundamental to university life. The University of Porto is open to anyone who ... show more
The University of Porto has been identifying and establishing many partnerships that are growing since the beginning of the Junior University, especially in what concerns the development of educational activities and relation with the youngsters. For instance, the House of Music, the Serralves Foundation, the Gaia Biological Park and the Ciência Viva Agency and many others jointed more recently such as Arouca Geopark, Museum F... show more
Human Resources: Coordination and academic community – students, teaching and administrative staff. Around 250 professors and 500 tutors.
Quality management system: the scientific and academic board monitors the activities before, during and after their implementation. There is also external assessment processes (not every year) driven by a commission with four external members: two from Portuguese universities, one from a secondary education school and one representative from a company.