The School of Education and Social Sciences of the Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre marked its 41st anniversary on 29 June 2026 with a commemorative ceremony held under the motto “ESECS: 41 Years Educating and Sharing Knowledge”.

The event featured the participation of Professor António Teodoro, Director of CeiED — the Interdisciplinary Research Centre for Education and Development, who was invited to deliver a keynote lecture as part of the celebrations. His presentation focused on the importance of open access scientific journals in the dissemination of knowledge, as well as their role in strengthening higher education institutions, particularly in the fields of education and teacher training.

The participation of the CeiED Director was part of a programme that highlighted the relevance of scientific production, knowledge sharing, and the commitment of higher education institutions to society. His lecture was particularly significant in the context of the publication of the 50th issue of Aprender, ESECS’ scientific journal, which has a well-established track record in the fields of education and social sciences.

One of the central moments of the ceremony was the opening of the virtual exhibition “Step by Step, Cover by Cover: The Journey of the Aprender Journal, from No. 1 to No. 50 (+n)”, presented by Professor Amélia Marchão, editor of the journal. The exhibition revisits the history of this publication, founded several decades ago, highlighting its contribution to the production, dissemination, and circulation of scientific knowledge.

The celebrations also provided an opportunity to honour the history of the School of Education and Social Sciences, marked by more than four decades of dedication to teaching, research, innovation, and public service. The event brought together the academic community, invited guests, staff, students, alumni, and institutional partners, reinforcing the role of ESECS as a space for education, reflection, and social engagement.

Professor António Teodoro’s participation in these celebrations reinforced CeiED’s connection to debates on open science, scientific publishing, and the value of knowledge in education — key themes for the development of higher education institutions and for the consolidation of accessible, collaborative, and socially relevant research practices.