Yesterday, the UP Faculty of Management welcomed Helena Castro, a representative of the Transform4Europe (T4EU) European University Alliance, which brings together universities and a wide range of regional stakeholders within a shared ecosystem of knowledge, innovation, and sustainable development.

She was welcomed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Matjaž Nahtigal and Teaching Assistant Polona Dakič, who introduced her to the faculty’s activities, study programmes, research projects, and strategic development priorities. They also gave her a tour of the faculty premises and presented its role within the broader academic and regional environment.

Currently serving as a Joint Grant Officer for Transform4Europe, Helena Castro draws on more than 27 years of experience in research, development, and innovation to drive strategic collaborations and secure funding for transformative research projects. With a background as a biomedical researcher at the University of Porto and as an EU funding consultant at Innovayt, she has contributed to over 60 grant applications and helped secure more than €20 million in funding.

The meeting took place in a highly constructive atmosphere and focused on opportunities for future cooperation in the fields of research, innovation, internationalisation, and applications for European funding programmes, particularly Horizon Europe and other EU funding mechanisms.

Visits such as this represent an important step in strengthening the faculty’s international partnerships and enhancing its role in the European research and higher education area.