A student from Católica Porto Business School has once again seen his academic merit recognised by the Banco de Portugal. Tiago Sousa Duarte Neves was awarded the Professor Jacinto Nunes Prize, granted to the top-performing student of the Bachelor’s Degree in Economics in the 2024/2025 academic year, among higher education institutions with the highest entry grades.
The award ceremony took place on 21 January 2026 at the Money Museum (Museu do Dinheiro) in Lisbon and was attended by the Governor of the Banco de Portugal, Álvaro Santos Pereira, Vice-Governors Luís Máximo dos Santos and Clara Raposo, as well as board members Helena Adegas, Rui Pinto and Francisca Guedes de Oliveira, who is also a faculty member at Católica Porto Business School. Helena Correia, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programmes at the School, was also present at the ceremony.
The Professor Jacinto Nunes Prize distinguishes students who achieved the highest final grade in the Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, among higher education institutions whose entry grade for the last admitted candidate was equal to or higher than 140 points. Through this initiative, the Banco de Portugal aims to recognise academic excellence in a field of study that is central to its institutional mission.
In addition to the monetary award of €2,000, the top student from each institution is also given the opportunity to undertake an internship at the Banco de Portugal, further enriching their academic and professional pathway.
Tiago chose Católica Porto Business School in recognition of the School as one of the leading references for Economics education in Portugal. Throughout his academic journey, he was awarded the Católica Porto Business School Merit Scholarship in both the second and third years of the programme, reflecting a consistent record of academic excellence.
For Tiago, “receiving the Professor Jacinto Nunes Prize represents the culmination of a period marked by great dedication and commitment. More than a recognition of the work developed throughout my academic journey, this distinction holds special meaning as it comes at a time when I am preparing to begin my PhD in Economics”.
This distinction reinforces Católica Porto Business School’s commitment to academic excellence and to the education of highly qualified students, prepared to address the challenges of the economy and the financial system.
