Student Support Programmes

Psychological support, guidance for study strategies in learning methods and academic success, and counselling in times of crisis and when facing obstacles related to, for example, school integration or underachievement.

Requests for scheduling a session with the GAE psychologist must be sent by e-mail to conta.connosco@uevora.pt  .

The emergency situation resulting from the COVID 19 pandemic forced changes in students’ routines, namely in access to education, which was transformed during this period into online classes. Considering that not all students would be able to access classes and carry out the respective work and assessments, the University of Évora (UÉ) provided, on loan, computer equipment to students who, upon justification of need, formalize the request with the Student Support Office (GAE).

Having reversed these last years, based on experience and having recovered presencial teaching, it has become urgent to define some criteria for the allocation of computer equipment, a measure that was considered to be maintained, as it is extremely important for the academic success of students who, for properly substantiated reasons, still present this need.

Pursuant to the provisions of paragraph n) of the nº1 of the article 23º of the Statutes of the University of Évora, ratified by Normative Order No. 7/2021, published in the Diário da República, 2ª series, nº 30, of 12 February 2021, after hearing the Computer Services, the Academic Services, the Social Services and the Academic Association, was put into effect the “Regulation for the attribution of computer equipment to students” .

Equity in education to ensure integration in all spheres of society. Onboarding interview and assessment of the clinical process together with UÉ faculty members and departments, thereby ensuring psycho-pedagogical support.

Please submit your application for Student with Learning Support status and hand in the required documents  in person at the GAE.

INCLUSION RESOURCE CENTRE

The Inclusion Resource Centre (CRI) of the UÉ General Library, in close collaboration with the Student Support Office (GAE), aims at contributing to academic success through integrated support for students with special educational needs.
More information: http://www.bib.uevora.pt/utilizar_bibliotecas/Centro-de-Recursos-para-a-Inclusao

Support for student workers during their academic journey, with the submission, mediation and follow-up of academic processes.

Students with student worker status  may request assistance in the analysis of academic procedures from the Student Support Office in person (on Fridays until 7pm, by prior appointment) or by sending an e-mail to gae@uevora.pt for processes in which the Office is able to provide support.

MAIS UÉ is a project by GAE (Student Support Office), winner of the 2nd edition of the prize organised by FLAD (Fundação Luso Americana) and OPP (Ordem dos Psicólogos Portugueses). This project integrates the program’s panel of winners and its main goal is to promote the psychological well-being, mental health and resilience of students at the University of Évora, through peer-to-peer education and the dissemination of psychological health literacy and emotional regulation strategies. The aim of this project is to encourage student involvement in peer-to-peer education; promote the development of emotional regulation and self-knowledge skills; provide students with strategies that promote autonomy in the daily management of anxiety levels; promote resilience; increase or contribute for the acquisition of knowledge regarding Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) and, cumulatively, promote inclusion and academic success.

The following activities are an integral part of this project:

Gatherings FALA CONNOSCO (TALK TO US)

Group mentoring between peers, aiming to stimulate the diversification of student participation in higher education and contribute to the academic success of students. This cycle of gatherings was prepared and is organized in partnership with the Academic Association of the University of Évora (AAUE). Its main goal is to promote debate and reflection among students on current and extremely relevant topics in society and academia. 

Debate and reflection are expected upon topics such as the promotion of mental health, sustainability, gender issues, student participation, employability, dating/intimate relationships, sexual education, inclusion, disability and multiculturalism in the University context.

Podcasts ESCUTA CONNOSCO (LISTEN WITH US)

This activity involves student volunteers in the production of podcasts (medium 15 minutes length) where each podcast has an underlying theme of interest to the student comunity, related to the promotion of well-being and mental health, through a conversation with the volunteer or between volunteers. These conversations are conducted to address, in a relaxed way and with accessible language, themes that meet the different needs of students and, in some of them, suggesting strategies and possible solutions or paths to solving different problems.

These topics include: Stress and anxiety management; Management and organization of personal and academic time; Entrepreneurship; Volunteering; Self-care and well-being; Resilience; Emotional regulation; Inclusion and Diversity.

PONTO D’APOIO – Peer mentoring

Aimed at students with specific needs (SN – Disability, PALOP, psychopathologies, etc.), in the academic, physical, and/or emotional sphere, who experience some level of academic failure. Student mentors are recruited and integrated using the UÉvora Volunteer Scholarship. Mentors go through a specific training process for mentoring tasks, using guidance from teachers.

GROUP INTERVENTION

Academic Coaching for Anxiety and Emotional Regulation - “Isto são os nervos”

Utilizing a dynamic peer-to-peer cognitive-behavioural method, a first group of student volunteers will be trained in the intervention. A cascade model of student training will be used aiming to develop students’ skills. Using active dynamics to promote assertiveness skills, group discussion, and relaxation and breathing exercises, the aim is to provide university students with strategies for regulating stress in their daily lives and reduce symptoms associated with anxiety disorders. 

Academic Coaching for Sexual and Reproductive Health - “Bula da intimidade”

Peer-to-peer sessions about Sexual and Reproductive Health, using active, interrogative and expository dynamics, to promote students’ knowledge about sexuality, consent, sexually transmitted infections, contraceptive methods, gender and sexual orientation, affections and emotion, violence in intimate relationships, sexuality on the web, assertiveness and negotiation skills.

MOVIMENTAL

Development of different activities open to the student community that encourage the adoption of an active and healthy lifestyle (walks, running, relaxation sessions, bike rides, nutrition and nutrition workshops, sleep regulation, screenings, etc.)

REGULARTE

In partnership with the School of Arts, develop artistic expression workshops (plastic arts, musical and theatrical) open to the student community. Each workshop will have an underlying theme related to psychological health and seeks to appeal to emotional expression and the creation of relationship networks between participants.

The following workshops are foreseen:

         - Photography Workshop – Emotions in Perspective

         - Plastic Arts Workshop – I feel…

         - Music Workshop (rhythmic and percussion) – When should we listen to our body?

         - Theatre Workshop – What about when I feel lonely, even when surrounded by people?

Our PARTNERS:

Internal: SEC-PSI, GABIGUAL, ESESJD-UÉ, AAUÉ, SASUÉ, ESDH-UÉ, USE, EA-UÉ; ECT;ECS; Núcleos de estudantes, Liga de estudantes africanos e núcleos das Residências Universitárias;

External: APF, ARS Alentejo, PSP, SEF, CRI, Fundação Eugénio de Almeida, IPDJ, Câmara Municipal de Évora, MetAlentejo, NAV (Cáritas), among others.

Highlighting the importance of student involvement in the organization and promotion of the proposed activities.

Support for all foreign students in their first year to help them integrate into the University, the city and the country, in collaboration with the Academic Association, Erasmus Student Network, other student associations or groups, and the UÉ services and departments.

Foreign students will be provided information on how to register on the platform when enrolling.

Any difficulty within the scope of the students' academic path can be reported to the e-mail gae@uevora.pt, which quickly forwards it to the responsible services and guarantees a quick response. The program also includes the annual series of seminars “CONTA CONNOSCO”, on topics related to the acquisition of skills, strategies and study methods, planning, organization and time management, bibliographical research and support for the preparation of academic works, financial education, dependencies and healthy living habits and preparation for the world of work.

The issue of school dropout is multidimensional and transversal to the various Higher Education Institutions, but it raises specific challenges in Universities located in the interior of the country and/or smaller ones. In this sequence, an exhaustive study was carried out, which took place over a year, by a multidisciplinary team of researchers and technicians from the University of Évora, to identify the causes of school dropout in the UÉ, having identified measures aimed at 4 main areas of intervention: # 1. To listen; #two. To clarify; #3. Advise and #4. Support

• “School Dropouts in Higher Education - Case Study at the University of Évora (Report)” (download  PDF  )
• “The School Dropout in Higher Education - Case Study at the University of Évora (Report)" (available for on-line reading, flip book format   )
• Full session of the Case Study results presentation at UÉ (watch on youtube   )

Conta Connosco Programme - 9 Edition (more ) 

Volunteer project that aims to support all foreign students who enter the University of Évora, in the integration process at the University, in the city and in the country, in conjunction with the Academic Association, Erasmus Student Network, other associations or student groups and Services of the University of Évora.

Upon registration, the foreign student will be notified how to proceed if he/she intends to register on the platform.

This program allows the collaboration of students of the University of Évora, on a part-time basis, in occasional activities within the scope of University initiatives (seminars, fairs, exhibitions), in exchange for a school allowance. For enrolment the student must fill in the online application. In case of recruitment, the student will be informed of the amount to be received, the dates, schedules and structure where he/she will perform functions.

The tutoring system assigns a tutor to students who request one, providing them support throughout their academic journey, in particular by focusing on their adjustment to and integration in university life and their academic success.

Each year, students may apply to the tutoring system through the SIIUE from the beginning of the academic year and up to 30 April. The tutors, who are faculty members that offer their time to help students, are recommended by the Course Director and appointed by the Department Director who oversees the department of which the tutor is a part. Students are then informed of who has been assigned as their tutor and their respective contact information.

Initial contact must be initiated by the student and within two weeks from the date on which they receive notification. At least one to three meetings per semester must be held, scheduled by mutual agreement.

Management of all claims and all issues related with school insurance, providing information and explanation to the Insurance Company, students and the bodies of the University of Évora.

All students registered and enrolled in the University of Évora are covered by school insurance, which may be extended to academic and non-academic staff and to individuals who are conducting ongoing research activities on the University’s premises or other facilities used for such purpose when travelling in the country or abroad. Graduates are also covered by the insurance for a period of one year after completing their studies.

Students have the opportunity of being part of a pool of volunteers  and participating in different activities of educational, social or community interest that are part of non-profit projects, programmes or other interventions to meet individual, group or academic needs in general.

To be included in the Pool of Volunteers you must submit the online registration form  . You will then be contacted by the Student Support Office to conduct a selection and recruitment interview for integration into a volunteer project.

VOLUNTEERING INITIATIVES

• Welcoming and onboarding new students during the in-person enrolment process  | GAE/SAC: welcome, inform, answer questions and help new UÉvora students during the in-person enrolment process.  
• Support in the enrolment process of special contests and with special regimens.
• International Student Integration Platform      | GAE/SAC: welcome, inform and help an international student during their inclusion and adjustment process, both on campus and around the city of Évora, answering any questions they may have on legal and logistics matters, and sharing knowledge and experiences.
• Eu posso ajudar    | S. João de Deus School of Nursing: help users and patients of the Évora Espírito Santo Hospital (HESE) by fulfilling your duty of citizenship and, at the same time, promoting the humanisation of care received by users and patients. 
• Curriculum, Popular Education and Social Responsibility at the University of Évora    | Túlio Espanca Popular University: participate in popular education activities at the seven centres run by the Túlio Espanca Popular University.
• Editorial Project and Preparation of Project Applications    | CICS.NOVA.UÉvora: encourage disclosure and dissemination of the findings of research and outcomes of activities carried out by CICS.NOVA.UÉvora.
• Food Bank : take part in food collection campaigns at shopping centres and hypermarkets.
• Environmental Education   | in partnership with GESAMB:  train volunteers to conduct guided tours of the GESAMB facilities and its landfill
• Run at Creche e Cresce : encourage physical activity among children aged 0 to 3.
• European Researchers Night :  Logistical support for the event.
• Support for exhibitions/events (University of Évora Employability Fair, Futurália, São João de Évora Fair, etc):  Surveillance of exhibitions held throughout the academic year at the University of Évora and other partner entities. Permanence in a stand, support in the dissemination of the training offer of the UÉ and in the dynamization of the activities developed.

PARTNERSHIPS

• Academic Association of the University of Évora
• Évora City Council
• Volunteer Bank - Eugénio de Almeida Foundation
• Portuguese Food Bank Against Hunger
• Metalentejo
• Santander Universities
• Student Associations and Groups
• Nossa Senhora da Piedade Kindergarten
• Bebé Cresce Nursery
• Associação Ser Mais Valia
• Mundus Intercultural ONGD
• CNIS - Confederação Nacional das Instituições de Solidariedade
• UDIPSS-Évora - União Distrital das Instituições Particulares de Solidariedade Social de Évora
• Liga dos Amigos do Hospital do Espírito Santo de Évora
• APF - Associação para o Planeamento da Família
• Associação Eólia Baby
• SHN - Sociedade da História Natural
• GESAMB
• ESN - Erasmus Student Network

And it doesn’t end there!