About APESP
About
APESP - Portuguese Association of Private Higher Education
APESP believes that full citizenship is only possible with access to quality education.
It is through knowledge, critical thinking and freedom to learn that each person becomes truly capable of understanding the world, participating in democratic life and contributing to a more just, supportive and enlightened society.
APESP's Mission
The mission of APESP – Portuguese Association of Private Higher Education is to promote, represent, and defend private, cooperative, and social sector higher education, contributing to its full integration into the national education system, under conditions of equity, institutional dignity, and recognition of public interest.
As a non-profit organization and social partner, APESP represents the founding entities and their higher education establishments to public authorities, regulatory bodies, and civil society, at national, European, and international levels.
Its action is based on valuing the freedom to teach and to learn, strengthening the quality and diversity of the educational offer, defending the rights and interests of its members, and building a more inclusive, competitive, and sustainable higher education system, centered on students and aligned with the country’s needs.
In carrying out its mission, APESP actively cooperates with the responsible ministries, the Assembly of the Republic, and other public and private entities in seeking the best legislative, political, and strategic solutions for strengthening the quality, equity, and sustainability of higher education in Portugal. It also contributes to the modernization of the system and the capacity building of its members in the face of the challenges of the digital, ecological, and demographic transitions, promoting innovative and socially relevant responses.
APESP assumes an active role in building the European Higher Education Area and in cooperating with other regions of the world, namely with Latin America, the CPLP (Community of Portuguese Language Countries), and Portuguese-speaking countries, promoting the internationalization of institutions, academic mobility, recognition of qualifications, and the articulation of public policies that favor innovation, cohesion, and knowledge sharing.
With a future-oriented strategy, APESP promotes the establishment of international networks, alliances, and partnerships that strengthen the competitiveness, prestige, and response capacity of its members, also contributing to the development of Portuguese higher education and the strategic positioning of the country in a globalized world.
Conscious of its role in regional development and territorial cohesion, APESP values the social mission of its members in promoting inclusion, diversifying access, and strengthening educational opportunities throughout the national territory.
APESP's Vision
APESP aspires to a truly integrated, pluralistic and cohesive higher education system, in which private, cooperative and social sector higher education — led by its member institutions — is recognised as a driver of innovation, inclusion and development, contributing decisively to the country’s economic, social and cultural progress.
Based on the defence of freedom to learn, teach and create schools, educational quality and institutional diversity, APESP aims to establish itself as a qualified and influential voice in the definition of public policies for higher education, collaborating with public authorities and civil society actors in the construction of a more just, effective and sustainable system.
APESP’s members, with their own projects, institutional identity and commitment to excellence, are dynamic, responsible and open to the world, capable of responding with quality to the needs of society, the economy and new generations.
With a clear international vocation, APESP promotes the strategic positioning of its members in a global space of knowledge, beyond European and Portuguese-speaking borders, strengthening scientific, academic and institutional cooperation networks with a view to creating value, sharing knowledge and affirming the transformative capacity of Portuguese higher education in the world.
APESP's Values
Belief that citizenship can only be fully exercised with access to quality education that promotes critical thinking, freedom and the commitment to build a just, supportive and enlightened society.
Affirmation of the freedom to learn, teach and create their own educational projects, as an expression of the autonomy of individuals and institutions and essential condition for a pluralistic and democratic society.
Commitment to equal opportunities in access to higher education and the promotion of diversity, territorial cohesion and social justice.
A permanent requirement of rigor and pedagogical, scientific and institutional excellence, respecting the identities and projects of the institutions themselves.
Recognition of the public mission of non-state higher education institutions, oriented towards the common good and subject to high standards of evaluation, regulation and accountability.
Openness to the changes of the contemporary world, promotion of new educational solutions, valorization of research, transfer of knowledge and adaptation to technological, social and environmental challenges.
Appreciation of networking, sharing good practices and building partnerships at national and international levels, with emphasis on the Lusophone and Ibero-American space.
Defense of a diversified higher education system, in which all institutions - public and non-public - are recognized with equal institutional dignity, contributing in a complementary way to the development of the country.
Commitment to critical observation, institutional dialogue and alignment with the highest standards and international references in higher education, promoting quality, comparability and global recognition of associated institutions.
Promotion of sustainable development, environmentally responsible, socially just and economically viable, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals, contributing to forming conscious citizens and institutions attentive to global challenges.
Adherence to the major international commitments on human rights, freedom of education and civic responsibility, with emphasis on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other key instruments that recognize education as a universal right. Valorization of the role of civil society in the construction of legitimate proposals for the common good and in the affirmation of a free, plural higher education committed to democratic values
Team
Miguel Copetto
Executive Director
Rosa Lopes Fernandes
Executive Secretary
António Barros
Legal Advisor
Sofia de Sousa Coutinho
Advisor