Formation of IPCA: a Brief History

The Polytechnic University of Cávado and Ave (IPCA) was officially founded in 1994, as part of a national strategy to expand and decentralise higher education in Portugal. Situated in Barcelos, a city in northern Portugal, IPCA was established to drive regional development and address the growing need for skilled professionals in emerging industries. Initially offering a limited selection of programmes, the institution gradually broadened its academic focus to include fields such as management, technology, design, and tourism.

From its inception, IPCA emphasised building strong links between academia and the labour market, prioritising applied sciences and vocational training. Its creation was a cornerstone of a wider initiative to provide higher education opportunities in less urbanised regions, thereby fostering socio-economic growth in the Cávado and Ave areas. Over the years, IPCA has seen substantial growth, evolving into a key hub for innovation and academic excellence in northern Portugal. Today, its modern facilities and diverse courses continue to attract both students and researchers, reinforcing its role as a leading force in regional knowledge and development.

The history of IPCA is shaped by remarkable individuals and significant events that have driven the institution’s transformation and consolidation over time. These milestones form an essential part of its legacy, and today, they are preserved and celebrated to tell the full story of IPCA’s journey to the present day.

Barcelos Campus (Main Campus)

Located in the city of Barcelos, the main campus is the heart of IPCA and its largest facility. This campus hosts the majority of the institution’s academic schools, including Management, Technology, Design, Hotel and Tourism Management, along with administrative offices. Known for its modern architecture and well-equipped facilities, the Barcelos campus includes cutting-edge labs, libraries, and collaborative spaces that foster innovation and creativity. Its scenic location near the Cávado River creates an inspiring learning environment for students.

Braga Campus

The Braga Campus extends IPCA’s reach into one of Portugal’s most vibrant and historical cities. It primarily focuses on offering specialised courses and professional training programmes tailored to meet the needs of the bustling economy of Braga. The campus emphasises partnerships with local businesses and industries, enhancing opportunities for internships and hands-on learning experiences. Additionally, IPCA operates two campi in Braga: one located in the city centre and another in the nearby area of Vila Verde.

Guimarães Campus

Situated in the City of Guimarães, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this campus is dedicated to promoting education and research in areas that align with the city’s industrial and cultural significance. The Guimarães campus fosters collaboration with the local manufacturing and creative sectors, making it a key player in supporting regional innovation.

Famalicão Campus

The Famalicão Campus focuses on bridging academic excellence with the demands of a dynamic industrial region. Known for its emphasis on applied sciences and technology, this campus is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to support courses in engineering, digital innovation, and business sciences. It serves as a hub for collaboration with local companies, enhancing students’ employability through practical learning.

Esposende Campus

The Esposende Campus is located in a coastal area, leveraging its unique surroundings to offer courses that combine sustainability, environmental studies, and tourism. This campus emphasises IPCA’s commitment to addressing global challenges through education and research, with a focus on sustainable development and community engagement.

School of Management

The School of Management (ESG) is the first school of the Polytechnic University of Cávado and Ave, commencing its educational activities in the 1996/1997 academic year. ESG offers programmes in the fields of Accounting, Taxation, Finance, Banking and Insurance Management, Public Management, and Legal Studies. ESG consists of three departments: Accounting and Taxation; Law; and Management, as well as a Research Unit: CICF – Centre for Accounting and Taxation Research.

School of Technology

The School of Technology (EST) began its activities in October 2004, offering programmes in areas such as computer science, digital games, computer graphics, electronics, automation, robotics, networks, machining, and automotive mechanics. EST consists of three departments: Applied Sciences and Industrial Engineering; Intelligent and Creative Cyber-Physical Systems; and Computing and Information Technologies, as well as a Research Unit: 2Ai – Applied Artificial Intelligence Laboratory.

School of Design

The School of Design (ESD) is an academic and research unit focused on higher education in design and applied research in this field. It started its scientific and educational activities in the 2015/2016 academic year.

School of Hotel and Tourism Management

The School of Hotel and Tourism Management (ESHT) started operating in the 2017/2018 academic year and focuses on higher education and applied research in the fields of hotel management, tourism, and food innovation. ESHT includes the Department of Tourism and Marketing, covering areas like Hotel Management, Tourism, Languages and Humanities, and Marketing and Strategy.

School of Professional Technical Higher Education

The School of Professional Technical Higher Education (ETESP) arises from a strategic collaboration between IPCA and the business community in the Cávado and Ave regions, addressing the need for training professional technical workers. It offers Technical Higher Professional Courses in the fields of Design, Management, Tourism, and Technology, aimed at supporting the business community in preparing qualified labour. ETESP consists of four departments: Applied Sciences, Business Sciences, Design and Multimedia, and Technological Innovation.

School of Sport, Well-being, and Biomedical Systems

The School of Sport, Well-being, and Biomedical Systems (ESDBESB) is one of IPCA’s academic units created in December 2021, as part of IPCA’s strategic initiative to establish a presence in the field of Sport, Well-being, and Biomedical Systems. ESDBESB is headquartered in the city of Guimarães and is known for its distinctive educational offerings in three key areas: Sport and Active Aging, Prevention and Well-being, and Biomedical Systems. While the school has been approved, it has not yet launched its educational programs.

• Transition to Polytechnic University Status: In 2023, IPCA reached a significant milestone with the passage of legislation allowing Portuguese Polytechnics to award doctoral degrees. This change, aligned with the institution’s aspirations, bolsters its role as a centre for advanced education and research, particularly in collaboration with industries.
• IPCA opens Portuguese as a Foreign Language course: Offered exclusively online, the Portuguese as a Foreign Language course is open to all individuals interested in learning or improving the knowledge of Portuguese language and culture.
• Launch of the IPCA FILS – Future Innovators Lab: In November 2024, IPCA introduced this initiative in partnership with Barcelos City Council as part of the RUN-EU alliance. The lab focuses on fostering innovation and social development in education and is expected to play a pivotal role in advancing collaborative project.
• Hosting the RUN-EU Innovation Day: This event brought together educators, researchers, and social organisations to discuss “Social Innovation in Educational Contexts.” The initiative reinforced IPCA’s commitment to cross-sector collaboration for addressing modern educational challenges.

With a student population of over 7,300, alongside approximately 650 academic and administrative staff, IPCA stands as a significant reference in the landscape of Portuguese higher education. Internationalisation has been a core commitment of IPCA, and as such, it is a central element in the Mission & Strategic Plan 2023-2025. Aware that internationalisation is key to achieving and maintaining a high level of quality in its areas of activity—education, applied research, and societal engagement—and to promoting the institution in an increasingly competitive academic world, IPCA has been consolidating and intensifying its international dimension across many complementary categories.

This promotes institutional cohesion, inclusion, and sustainability, and aims to achieve greater relevance. IPCA is also a founding member of the RUN-EU (Regional University Network – European University), which brings together eight higher education institutions with similar regional objectives.

These institutions are committed to transforming their societies in response to both emerging regional and global challenges, particularly in the context of sustainable regional development. Active participation in these international academic cooperation projects, as well as the promotion of strategic alliances, co-creation platforms, and collaborative networks, are explicitly integrated into IPCA’s internationalisation and modernisation strategy.

IPCA aims to leverage the unique opportunities offered by international cooperation as a springboard for systemic change and to strengthen its international profile and institutional growth.