Empower Week has already become a tradition and a milestone in welcoming new undergraduate students at Católica Porto Business School. Between 2 and 4 September, the School once again opened its doors to more than two hundred first-year students from the degrees in Economics, Management, and the Double Degree in Law and Management, marking the beginning of an academic journey that stands out both for academic excellence and personal development.
The very first activity, organised by the Career and Development Office, gave students the opportunity to break the ice and meet the colleagues who will accompany them over the coming years. At the Empower Lunch, Católica Solidária – CASO and several student associations presented their projects, immediately sparking interest and enrolments among the newcomers. The following groups were represented: Católica Porto Business School Students’ Association, Católica Investment Club, Católica Students’ Consulting, Grupo de Integração Académica, International Life at Católica (IL@C), Debate Society, Tuna UCP and Tuna Feminina UCP.
The week also included more relaxed moments, such as a Campus Tour led by senior students, a lively Sunset Party, a creative Peddy Paper across Foz do Porto, and “on the job” sessions with alumni Gonçalo Marques, Pedro Antunes and Sara Pinto, who shared their experiences at the School and in the job market.
On the third day, students took part in the “Ready, Set, Business” sessions, led by faculty members Filipa Cunha Mota (Global Outlook: Economy, Policy and Sustainability) and João Novais (Introduction to Business 1.0.1), offering them a first taste of academic life.
There was also room for important institutional moments, such as the welcoming sessions of the Double Degree in Law and Management, and the Meet and Greet the Professors for all students at the School, with the participation of the Dean of Católica Porto Business School, João Pinto, the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programmes, Helena Correia, alumnus Sérgio Neto, and Economics student Inês Esteves.
The programme culminated with the official welcome session of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa in Porto, chaired by Isabel Braga da Cruz, Pro-Rector of the University. This occasion was also marked by the awarding of merit scholarships to new students.
Empower Week will continue on 10 September with an afternoon dedicated to volunteering activities, reinforcing Católica Porto Business School’s commitment to the holistic development of its students.
This start of the academic year is also marked by two important milestones: Católica Porto Business School’s entry into the Financial Times Masters in Management 2025 Ranking and the launch of a new international offer for undergraduate students, through Double Degree programmes with WU (Vienna University of Economics and Business) and KEDGE Business School, on which more information will be shared soon.
