UNIVERSITY OF TRÁS-OS-MONTES & ALTO DOURO – UTAD (Portugal)
The University of Trás-os-Montes & Alto Douro (UTAD) focuses on the creation, communication & transmission of culture, knowledge, science & technology, through study, teaching, research & experimental development. UTAD has 5 Schools (Agricultural & Veterinary Sciences, Human & Social Sciences, Sciences & Technology, Life & Environmental Sciences & Nursing), with approx. 8000 students, 39 1st cycle courses & 72 2nd & 3rd cycle courses. UTAD has organisational & managerial human & physical resources that guarantee accountability and financial transparency, support project applications (Projects Support Office), knowledge transfer & internationalization of science & technology (Communication & Image Office & Training Office). UTADs Intellectual Property Rights Office handles agreements between UTAD & stakeholders to minimise possible conflicts. These offices have an active role in the development of strategic projects & support activities developed by UTADs R&D Units. The main tasks in the project will be conducted by the Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environment and Biological Sciences (CITAB) and the the Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health and Human Development (CIDESD).
The Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environment and Biological Sciences (CITAB) is a R&D Unit that resulted from the merger of 3 Units in 2007 to bring together a closely interacting multidisciplinary team, organized in 3 Working Groups, in the areas of agri-food, forestry and environment and as a novelty a group of technological engineers to push forward innovative applied solutions in those areas. This marked a clear innovative step forward compared to the rest of the national scientific community in this area.
The Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health and Human Development (CIDESD) is a cross-institutional technical and scientifically multi-disciplinary unity of applied research hosted in the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD). The Unit is a large national and international network. Nowadays CIDESD has bilateral agreements with 8 National Institutions (from the consortium) and another 8 High-Education Institutions (cooperation agreement); 36 European institutions, and with many universities in Brazil in addition to being members of networks with contacts to academic institutions in North-America, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Africa. The goals of CIDESD are articulated in three major domains: a) Research. The research projects and activities of the CIDESD are organised under the scope and objectives of the unit and are articulated in three programs: CreativeLab, STRONG and GERON; b) Community Intervention. Providing services to community and developing effective intervention strategies leading the intervention process, specifically: sports performance, such as sports for age group athletes; sports for high level athletes; sports for handicapped athletes; integration of sports in schools; sports as a mean of social integration and resolution of social problems; physical activity and sports programs related to health promotion and health care (palliative care); c) Continuous education. CIDESD members are deeply involved in: 1) educational activities (bachelor, master and PhD programs). At the moment we have fourteen bachelors; nineteen Master Courses and one PhD course functioning in strict agreement among all the consorted Institutions; 2) continuous formation programs to enhance the knowledge, skills and effective methods available for sport sciences, health, schools and leisure professionals; 3) technical and professional education in cooperation with governmental and non-governmental Institutions for the technical and ethical informative enhancement.