University of Porto students convene urgently to deliberate on the medical course's current predicament
The Political Society (PSD) has requested an urgent hearing with the Minister of Education and the Rector of the University of Porto (U.Porto), following allegations of pressures in the competition for access to medicine in the academic year 2025/2026.
The president of the Academic Federation of Porto (FAP), Francisco Fernandes, has expressed his concern over the situation, stating that 30 candidates were affected. According to him, these candidates include individuals who have resigned from their jobs, sold their houses, and even those who have resigned from their jobs abroad.
The controversy arose after the director of the Faculty of Medicine of U.Porto (FMUP), Altamiro da Costa-Pereira, reportedly informed 30 candidates of their entry into the Medicine course via an official U.Porto email. However, the rector of U.Porto, AntΓ³nio de Sousa Pereira, has denied receiving authorisation for this action.
In response to this incident, Francisco Fernandes has demanded an "internal inquiry" to determine the responsibilities and reasons behind the director's action. He has also expressed his feelings of shame due to the frustration caused to the 30 candidates for the Medicine license at U.Porto.
The president of FAP has not provided details on the timeline or scope of the internal inquiry he requested. He has also not indicated whether the inquiry would be public or confidential, or whether it would be conducted by FAP or another entity.
In addition to the PSD's request, the Socialist Party (PS) and the Left Bloc (IL) have also requested a hearing of the Minister of Education in parliament. The PSD party has so far requested a hearing on the introduction of an objection rule in the health committee, which took place in January 2025.
Tonight, FAP will hold an urgent meeting with student associations of the University of Porto to discuss this matter further. The outcome of this meeting and the results of the internal inquiry are eagerly awaited by the affected candidates and the academic community.
