Professor Susana Mira Leal was elected dean of the University of the Azores (UAc).
The General Council of the UAc met after the presentation of the two candidates' action programs; the vote determined that Susana Mira Leal will be the first female dean of the Azorean academy.
Full Professor Maria Teresa Medeiros obtained six votes, while Professor Susana Mira Leal achieved nine votes in favor of her action program, as stated by the President of the General Council, Elias Pereira.
After the election results were announced, Susana Mira Leal told Açoriano Oriental that "it is with a great sense of responsibility, commitment, and engagement" that she takes the position of dean, stressing that she is aware of "the job demands". Mira Leal regards her election as “acknowledgement” for the work developed, not only as a professor, but also as a Pro-Rector and Vice-Rector.
The Professor, who holds a PhD in Education, specializing in Portuguese Teaching Methodology, stressed that her commitments are based on "the development of the institution, the deepening of its relationship with the community, and the development of our Region."
As for her program, Mira Leal stated that "its major concerns are related to the recruitment of students, offering postgraduate training, with a view to reaching audiences that so far the UAc has not been able to reach, including adults, in the various islands of the region and beyond, as well as e-learning." Susana Mira Leal wants a “training offer that meets, as much as possible, the needs of the community, the needs of companies, of the regional government and the individual demands students”, she explained.
On the other hand, Susana Mira Leal foresees the need for "some adjustments in the supply of undergraduate courses and CTESP [Professional Higher Education Technical Courses] in order to include training sectors that are attractive both to Portuguese students and to foreign students." According to the elected candidate, it will be necessary to rethink the undergraduate degree in Marine Sciences, which, although "strategic for the Region, as well as nationally and internationally, did not succeed"; also necessary is a degree in Computer Engineering, "a fundamental branch nowadays", since digital transition is a strategic goal and since that course "has taken many students from the Region to the mainland". Regarding human resources, Susana Mira Leal revealed that "the University is preparing, as a result of national legislation, a set of internal competitions for the career advancement of professors at the University of the Azores." Acknowledging that "this process is fundamental, given the requirements for degree accreditation set forth by decree-law 65/2018", the elected candidate stated that the University has "the conditions to meet the requirements - 50% of faculty members with tenure - to ensure the accreditation of courses", stressing that she has "expects and is confident that we will be able to meet them in due time". Susana Mira Leal also stated that she intends to "strengthen the University's teaching staff in areas where there is proven need and advantage".
Regarding the University’s financial situation, the current vice-rector of Dean João Luís Gaspar, highlighted that, “as the result of the work carried out in recent years, UAc accounts are now balanced”. However, "the State Budget does not meet our needs with staff costs and the University of the Azores must always find additional funding to meet its actual expenses; hence the extreme care that must be taken in opening competitions, attracting new teachers and replacing teachers through retirement. But it is also necessary to “invest in raising our own revenue”.
Since tuition fees are one of the largest sources of revenue, it is essential to attract more students, Mira Leal added, stressing that the “partnerships we have been establishing” with companies are also crucial. Susana Mira Leal recalled that there are ongoing negotiations with the National and Regional governments regarding "cost compensation and the hiring of researchers", as well as "there are commitments made by the National Government that are yet to be fulfilled." Therefore, “there is still negotiation work that needs to be done with the Regional Government and the Government of the Republic”.
Regarding research, Susana Mira Leal considers that "the University has been showing installed capacity at the level of research professors to produce knowledge and bring contracts that increase the institution's budget".
The future dean also intends to take advantage of EU funds to invest in infrastructures, namely by replacing asbestos-containing infrastructures, by investing in energy efficiency and also by building new university residences.
