On January 20th, the Great Hall of the National Statistics Institute (INE) hosted the public presentation of the Private Higher Education Observatory of the Portuguese Private Higher Education Association (APESP), a moment of particular relevance for higher education in Portugal.
The opening session included interventions by the President of INE, António Gomes Rua, the President of APESP, António Almeida Dias, and the Secretary of State for Higher Education, Cláudia Sarrico. In her speech, the Secretary of State highlighted the importance of systematic statistical data collection and its qualified use, emphasizing that reliable information is essential to support strategic decisions in higher education and to assist in the definition and evaluation of public policies.
The technical presentation of the Observatory followed, conducted by its Coordinator, Cristina Ventura, who presented the objectives, scope, and operating model of this new knowledge platform. The Private Higher Education Observatory emerges as a structural instrument for the production and systematization of information about the sector, aimed at (re)positioning private higher education within the context of the higher education system, its relationship with the labor market, the community, and at the international level.
During the presentation, it was highlighted that the Observatory’s work is based on several fundamental stages—identifying, planning, collecting, producing, systematizing, processing, analyzing, interpreting, and communicating data—ensuring methodological rigor and analytical consistency. The project involves a multidisciplinary team composed of researchers and specialized technicians, supported by a network of focal points, using official sources and contributions from different stakeholders. The Observatory’s digital portal was also presented, designed as a platform for public access to the information produced, promoting transparency, comparability, and the dissemination of knowledge.
Subsequently, a reflection panel dedicated to the theme took place, featuring David Justino, professor and former Minister of Education; Nuno Neto Rodrigues, Director-General of the Directorate-General for Education and Science Statistics; Luísa Loura, Director of Pordata; Isabel Babo, Vice-Rector of Universidade Lusófona; and Cristina Ventura, Observatory Coordinator. The panel was moderated by Isabel Patrício, a journalist from ECO, and provided an extensive debate on the importance of data, statistical analysis, and structured knowledge for a more integrated and informed reading of the higher education system.
The closing of the public presentation was led by João Redondo, President of the General Assembly of APESP.
The session was attended by over a hundred participants, including institutional representatives, leaders of APESP-associated institutions, national and international organizations, academic federations, and embassies from various countries, demonstrating the relevance and scope of the project.
APESP and the Observatory Coordination are to be congratulated on the launch of this innovative digital platform, which represents a decisive contribution to the knowledge of higher education in Portugal. The Observatory portal is available HERE. HERE.
