On June 15, the event “Pedagogical Innovation: Knowledge, Cooperation and Transformation” took place at the University of Coimbra, marking the conclusion of the INOV3P project—a project dedicated to promoting pedagogical innovation in higher education, in which the Polytechnic University of Tomar (IPT) is a partner.
This meeting represented a moment to reflect on the work carried out throughout the project, highlighting its contribution to transforming pedagogical practices across the eleven higher education institutions within the INOV3P partnership. In a context marked by profound changes driven by digitalization, artificial intelligence, and the growing need to promote academic success, INOV3P established itself as a strategic driver for the experimentation, sharing, and consolidation of new teaching and learning approaches.
In the case of IPT, the project made it possible to strengthen faculty training, invest in the dissemination of good pedagogical practices, produce innovative educational resources, and enhance participation in national collaboration networks in this field. In addition, it contributed to the creation of a critical internal mass, involving an increasing number of lecturers in innovation processes and promoting an institutional culture more oriented toward the continuous improvement of teaching quality.
The event was also marked by the Pedagogical Innovation Awards ceremony – INOV-PED, one of the project’s most important moments, aimed at recognizing and giving visibility to innovative pedagogical practices within the consortium. A total of 11 awards and 3 honorable mentions were granted among 42 applications submitted from 10 higher education institutions. The jury, composed of representatives from various higher education institutions and students, evaluated the applications based on criteria such as the level of innovation, impact on teaching and learning practices, dissemination potential, and student involvement. The high quality of the projects made the selection process particularly demanding, reflecting the dynamism and commitment of academic communities to pedagogical innovation.
Among the award winners, special recognition goes to IPT lecturer Carlos Ferreira, who received an award for the project “Amplifying Sounds and Skills,” an example of pedagogical innovation with a significant impact on students’ learning experience.
The awards were presented by the President of the Jury, Professor Célio Gonçalo Marques (IPT), and the INOV3P Project Coordinator, Professor Cristina Albuquerque (University of Coimbra). Each award recipient presented their project, demonstrating the diversity, creativity, and relevance of the initiatives developed.
The conclusion of INOV3P reinforced the idea that pedagogical innovation does not depend exclusively on technology, but above all on people—their ability to collaborate, experiment, and reflect on educational practices. It also highlighted the importance of ensuring the continuity of the work initiated, by securing resources, institutional support, and conditions that allow for the consolidation of a sustainable culture of innovation within institutions.
Overall, the project’s balance is clearly positive, leaving as its main challenge the transformation of the momentum generated into lasting structural change capable of responding to the challenges of a constantly evolving higher education landscape.
INOV3P thus stands out as a significant contribution to enhancing pedagogical quality, strengthening cooperation between institutions, and building a more innovative, inclusive, and future-oriented higher education system.
The event was attended by the Vice-President of IPT, Professor Célio Marques, as well as members of LIED, Paulo Santos and Inês Araújo.
This initiative was organized by the University of Coimbra within the scope of the INOV3P project and funded by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) and the European Union.